I searched the beach for him and came with nothing. Nada. He was nowhere in sight.
I tapped my foot anxiously. What if he decided to ditch me at the last minute? What if I was going to get stood up?
I kicked my foot in the sand and then walked up to where the waves were slithering then dying away.
My feet slowly sunk in as I examined my manicure, searching for any sign that the lady hadn't painted my nails fully red.
I looked up at the orange sky then at the sun.
It was delicately dangling over the sea.
I started to turn around to head back to the Academy when I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist and a voice whisper in my ear. "Happy Valentine's Day."
"How do you do it?" Zach asked.
I looked over at him and licked the strawberry ice cream we were sharing. "Do what?"
"Be so good at everything."
I laughed, really wishing I could do the thing he did when he lifted one eyebrow. "Good at everything? Well, if you mean being a super amazingly awesome spy, that's a secret." I said, licking the ice cream.
"A secret?" He said, smirking of course.
"Yup." I said, popping the 'p'. I bumped his elbow playfully. "But I'll let you in on one thing. You have to have fabulous physique." I started walking backwards.
"Fabulous physique?"
"Uh huh. Like being able to keep your balance and do all sorts of freaky somersaults." I twirled around and he pushed me.
I tripped over my own feet but he caught me.
"Fabulous physique huh?" He laughed quietly into my ear.
"Oh ha ha. How hilarious." I squirmed my way out of his grasp.
"Gallagher Girl, I must admit, you're hogging the ice cream." He said.
"Am not."
"Are too." He countered.
"Am not." I repeated.
We did this a few more times until he sighed. "Fine. Just remember you left me no choice."
My eyes widened and then he smushed the ice cream against my mouth. I gaped at him. "You didn't."
He smirked. "I think I just did."
I shook my head threateningly and pressed the ice cream against his mouth.
He pulled it away. "Okay. Now we're equal."
"Equally messy." I corrected, trying to lick off what I could.
He laughed and leaned in to me. "Don't move."
I closed my eyes and listened to the waves and him breathe as he licked off the ice cream from my lips.
He pulled back and studied his work. "Yep, you're clean."
"Then let me return the favour." I said seductively and put my hands lightly on his shoulders.
I ran my tongue over his lips and over the ice cream. When I was done I didn't step away, I lightly touched my lips to his and he responded eagerly.
Before he could get too far I pulled back and grinned. "My work here's finished."
Zach leaned in again but I tilted my head back. "Ah." I held a finger up. "My gift. One hint."
He let go of me. "Nah ah. No way."
"Oh please, please, pleeeeease." I whimpered. "Just one."
"Not going to happen, Gallagher Girl. Just let it go. Once the date's over you can have it. It's waiting in the car for you."
I looked back at the parking lot.
He put his arm around me. "I know what you're thinking."
I put a hand to my heart pretending to be shocked. "I'm appalled, Zachary Goode. Of all the time that I've known you you haven't once mentioned that you're a mind reader."
He gave me a sidelong look. "Right. I must be the crappiest mind reader ever apparently because I can't guess what you got me."
I tugged on his shirt, pulling him closer.
"Ah, come on. It's not that hard."
"You're not going to seduce me are you?"
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but no. I read somewhere on the Internet that sex is the worst gift that you can give someone." I said.
He frowned at me. "What kind of things do you look for on the Internet, Gallagher Girl?"
"Oh come on! I didn't mean it that way! And plus, it was right there. On Yahoo."
"Sure sure." He teased.
"It was one of those, what you should and shouldn't give on Valentine's Day for guys."
"Yeah? Why'd you need it in the first place?"
"Because it's so freaking hard to buy guys presents. That's why. I mean really, you can get a girl anything, it's so easy for you! Girls have it so hard! Guys won't wear high heels you know." I pointed out.
He frowned. "Where did the high heels come from?"
"Okay, girls will wear high heels and sneakers. Guys only wear sneakers. Get where I'm going?" I kept going when I saw his stumped look. "So, guys can pick up anything at the store because we like everything. But we can't. We have to do research. Get it?"
He nodded. "So do I get my gift?"
"Only when I get mine."
"So, we're waiting till the date's over."
I leaned in very close to him until our lips almost touched then whispered. "Then the date's over."
Then I pulled out of his arms and ran down the beach.
My feet slapped against the wet sand and I could hear his close behind me.
I looked back and saw how close he was then let out a shriek and picked up my speed.
He did too and then he grabbed me from behind and lifted me from my feet.
I laughed as he spun me around. "Oh come on, I was so close!"
He put me down. "Yeah, so close." He mocked.
I pushed him hard so that he'd fall into the water but the plan backfired. He grabbed my hand and we both went down.
A wave crashed over us and I got up coughing out water. "You owe me a new dress."
He laughed and leaned in to me. He pressed his lips against mine and ran his fingers lightly over my arm.
I lifted my hands and cupped his face, getting up till we were both kneeling in front of eachother.
We slowly fell back against the sand and he was on top of me.
Five minutes and 58 seconds later he pulled back.
I looked into his emerald green eyes and stroked the back of my hand against his cheek.
He kissed me once more but softly this time. And it was shorter.
"You can have your gift now." He whispered.
He lifted me up and held me until we got to the car. He went around to the trunk and came back with a box with round holes in it.
I bobbed up and down excitedly and opened the present. I froze when I pulled the top off and heard a meow.
I looked at Zach and laughed happily.
I picked the kitten up and pressed it against me. "Thank you. She's wonderful!"
"What will you name her?"
I looked down at her. "Suzie."
He nodded. "The nonexistent cat named Suzie."
I stroked her soft fur. "Not so nonexistent anymore."
I kissed him slowly and the sun set behind us. Ending the glorious day.
I hope you enjoyed it! I know I loved writing it!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Enjoy your day to the fullest!
I love you guys!
Ivoryyy
