"Gina, have you noticed Zander acting . . . I don't know . . . Off lately?" I twirl my finger around the cord, a frown stuck on my face.

She hums, "Now that you mention it, yeah. He kinda has been off lately."

I grab the receiver and move as close to the couch as possible, stretching the cord to its limit. I know what you're thinking, why is there a cord on a phone?! Thing is, our house phone isn't updating considering: A. My parents like the old timey feel, and B. They're never home long enough to feel it needs replaced. Speaking of which, they should've been home by now.

"It just seems like he's been distancing himself from me, especially when I'm around Keagen. He hasn't even asked about the deal, which is a bit of a relief but then again, absolutely terrifying."

"Why is it terrifying?" She laughs at my expense, "Unless you want him to beg for the kisses, I don't see much of a problem here."

I sigh softly, "Yes, but he still has blackmail on me. Who's to say he won't turn around and expose it just because I neglected our deal? Even if he's the one not holding up his end?" I bite my lip nervously, eyeing up my phone from across the room. Maybe I should text him, ask him to come hang out?

"Ask him to hang out then, see what's wrong." She repeats my thoughts, crunching to be heard in the background.

I roll my eyes and laugh, "Are you seriously eating chips right now?"

The crunching comes to a slow stop, "No . . ." Her guilty reply rings clear through the speakers, causing me to snort back a laugh.

"You don't sound very confident with that answer, try again?"

"Uggghhh, fine yes, I'm eating chips! Sue me!" She groans in defeat and starts crunching again. I laugh loudly and shake my head. This. This is why we're best friends.

I lean forward and grab my phone, quickly typing out a message. "Should I send this text?" 

I hear her move, a serious feeling settling over us. "Yes! But, what are you going to do about Keagen? Do you really like him?" She questions. Ahh, my brain hurts.

I groan loudly and drop my head down, "I-I think I do like him . . ." Butterflies flutter in my stomach, a small smile spreading across my face at the thought of Keagen's cute face.

"What about Zander, though?" She pushes. The butterflies quickly die, guilt setting in. What about him, do I like Zander too?

"I-I don't . . ."

"You don't like him?"

"I don't . . . I don't know, Gina."

She sighs softly, sympathy clear in her voice. "Follow your heart, Hun. It's the only one that knows for sure, if it doesn't feel right, then it's not."

"You're right." I nod in agreement, my heart feeling more at ease now. If it doesn't feel right, then it's not. "I'm gonna send the message, do you want to come over too?"

"Yes! I'll bring the popcorn and chips!" She excitedly squeals, crinkling of bags in the background piercing through the speakers. "See you in a few!"

"Okay!" I quickly get up and skip over to the receiver, gently setting it down and hanging up. I check my phone and hover my thumb over the button, excitement bubbling up inside me. Before I can hit the button, my phone buzzes in my hand telling me I received a message. I jump in fright, dropping into onto the floor while I clutch my chest. Good grievous, it's like it was watching me!

I pick it back up and check who texted me, a huge smile spreading across my face when I see the name flash across the home screen.

Hey :) -Z

I shake my head, giggling like a school girl while I respond. It's like he knew I was about to text him, how weird!

Hey! What's up? :D -S

His response comes almost immediately.

Being bored as always! What's up with you? -Z

I giggle softly then get comfortable on the couch. I bite my lip and stare at the text for a minute, then quickly hit the send button before I can chicken out.

Don't be bored, why not come over for another movie session with Gina and I? There's plenty of popcorn for three! :) -S

Or at least I hope so, Gina likes to eat enough for a small elephant family.

Sure, on my way now! :D -Z

I grin down at my phone and move to reply, only to scream in fright when the front door slams open and a crazy woman runs in screaming a war cry.

"I'm here - stop screaming, it's just me - with the snacks!" Gina runs over to me and jumps onto the couch, causing both of us to bounce and almost fall off.

I grip the back of the couch so I don't fly off, then look at her with wide, wild eyes.

She stops bouncing immediately, staring back at me innocently. "What?"

"Are you on crack today, oh my goodness you almost sent us flying!" She laughs loudly, rolling over to lay on her back and face me. She opens her mouth to say something but is cut off.

"What . . . Is going on in here?" Zander hesitantly steps into the room, scaring both of us. We scream and pull out our weapons, yes I said weapons, and start pelting him with nerf bullets.

"Trespasser!!" We scream in unison, both of us jumping up and using the couch as cover.

He tries to shield himself with his bag, "What the hell, guys?!" He quickly drops it then runs behind the corner, then darts down the hall towards the kitchen.

Gina and I exchange looks, then sneak around the couch to peak into the kitchen. I motion for her to move to the other side of the doorway, then both of us position against the wall while reloading our weapons. In sync, we both turn with our guns up, scanning the area for him. Gina motions to me, signaling her side as clear. I signal back then both of us slowly move towards the hallway.

We quickly clear the corner, then slowly make our way back down the hall. Stopping at the living room entrance, we give each other confused glances once more then turn to clear the corner. I wonder where he could be hiding.

"Ahhh!!" We both scream in terror and turn in time to see two pillows flying our way. I duck down and the pillow flies over my head and crashes into the couch. Gina, on the other hand, wasn't so fortunate and took a pillow to the face, falling down onto the floor dramatically.

She turns her head over to face me, reaching her hand out in a fake weak attempt to touch me. "Go, survive without me, don-don't let him defeat you!" Slowly she closes her eyes and let's her head drop to the side, faking her death.

I mourn her death, then gently take her gun from her hand. "I will honor you, my dearest friend." I turn to Zander, a hard glare set in stone across my face. "Prepare to die." I raise my guns up and start firing, causing him to shout in surprise and run the other way.

Gina leans up from her spot on the floor and pats my back, "I'll get the popcorn and movie ready, go whoop his butt SarSar!"

I grin evilly and make my way down the hallway, checking the kitchen and other empty rooms. He must have ran upstairs then.

I quickly run silently up the steps, turning my stealth mode on and looking it each room with my guns ready. Slowly, I clear each room until I'm left with my own. The door is slightly cracked open, letting me know he went in. Cautiously, I push it open with one hand and scan the room with my gun up in the other. Before I can turn to look behind the door, I feel his arms wrap around my waist and lift me off the ground.

I squeal and wiggle around in his grip, "Let me go, you crazy man!" My guns fall out of my hands, leaving me with nothing to defend myself. Crap. He notices and smirks evilly. Double crap.

"Now now, Cupcake. Don't resist." He wraps his arms impossibly tighter around me, giving me no choice but to be pressed against his chest, our faces merely inches apart. His eyes scan my face, hesitating when they pass over my lips but then continue back up to my eyes. I blush brightly and push against his chest, my heart racing within my own.

"Let me go." I whine, giving up on trying to free myself and instead looking up at him with a pout.

He laughs softly and lightly brushes his nose against mine then pulls away again, "Not until you give me the passcode."

I blush even darker than before, butterflies starting to bounce in my stomach. Actually, no. Forget butterflies, it feels like dragons in there. "Wh-what's the passcode?" I stutter embarrassingly, mentally smacking myself across the head at my weak attempt of speaking.

He smirks, "You should know it, Cupcake."

My eyes widen in realization and I immediately look away shyly. C'mon Sarah, just man up and do it! I squeeze my eyes shut for a second then open them up again with my new found confidence. You've got this, just go for it! I look up at him with determination. Leaning up on my tippy toes, I gently connect my lips to his cheek in a soft kiss. The dragons in my stomach spit fire, my skin feeling like it's burning off. Quickly, I pull away blushing then shyly scan his reaction.

He stares down at me with shock for a second, then a huge smile breaks out across his face. "I gotta say, I wasn't expecting that. Especially since the passcode was 'Spoons', but that'll work too." He winks playfully then let's me go.

I gasp in shock and lightly smack his shoulder, "You butt! You could have stopped me!"

He laughs loudly and grabs the hand I was using to assault him, pulling me close to him again. "Why would I want to do that and waste a perfectly good opportunity to steal one of your kisses?"

I roll my eyes and glare at him, "Shut up, you butt."

He grins down at me slyly, "Yeah, but you like my butt!" I gasp back a laugh and shake my head no, only to be cut off by getting picked up and thrown over his shoulder. "C'mon my little sack of potatoes, I can smell the popcorn ready!"

In that moment, Gina's words to me earlier rang through my head again. If it doesn't feel right, then it's not.

And somehow, this felt perfect.

~•~

Yay, it's done!! I'm so happy with this chapter!!

This chapter is dedicated to my favorite cat who passed away today, you will be missed Sophie R.I.P 💔💔

I'll try my best to update more!

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Rest In Peace, Sophie 💔
~Molly