Faint-proof Zeke
Flashback: In "Wizards & Vampires vs. Zombies", fake-brave Harper tells Zeke to walk with her and tell her things he loved about her after asking him to go with her to the zombie prom. In "Alex Russo, Matchmaker?", Harper tried hinting to Zeke that she was crushing on him by "slipping" the info while they were "robot talking". Alex kept spying on them and forcing the two to date in the park. In "Wizards vs. Finkles", Zeke expresses his love for Harper through in front of her parents.
Author's note: fluffy stuff ahead! I was thinking of a great background song for the scene (F.N.T. by Semisonic) but it would be sooo corny! :D Oh, and autumn setting!
Chapter 6
It took a lot of time before Zeke Beakerman finally figured it out. And when he did, he felt very stupid and selfish. Of course! Why hadn't he realized it before? Why hadn't he noticed? He misunderstood a lot of things (he thought Harper's weird behavior was just PMS or something).
He thought about all the things that happened between him and Harper. Looking back, he kind of understood why Harper was being all cranky.
He remembered their first date was in zombie prom. He had a great time; he won the dance showdown AND he was with the prettiest girl. He realized however that it was Harper he asked him out and he knew it should have been vice versa. The reason why he didn't make a move was because he knew absolutely nothing about women and would never have a chance to date one… ever. He was really thankful that Harper made the first move, although now he kind of regretted it.
He remembered the times when he really wanted to talk to Harper in the halls at school. He hated that water fountain for a long time. What he hated even more was his hydrophobia.
He remembered the many times when Harper hinted that she liked him. He understood those hints; he was just shrugging them off, acting like he didn't hear or didn't get it, denying the fact that his crush had a crush on him too. He thought it was just too good to be true.
Then he remembered the time when he was afraid to have each other's first kiss. He felt really bad that time. He was thankful that Harper gave him a lot of chances. He was grateful that Harper took the lead.
That's it. Harper always took the lead. Between the two of them, Harper was the brave one. Harper was the man. It became clear to him.
HE was supposed to be the man in the relationship.
Now don't get him wrong, Zeke was a rather smart guy (as smart as Justin, even). And using his talents in robot making, he had a plan to win Harper back. After all, with all that cowardice Zeke showed to his girlfriend, Harper deserved some loving.
It was time for him to man up.
"Hey Harper!" Zeke called. Harper didn't flinch; she closed her locker and started walking down the hall. Zeke, ever persistent, caught up with her.
"So, Harper… I just finished our robot." He paused, waiting to see if she noticed he had used the word "our". She just continued walking, poker face and all.
"I was wondering if you wanted to see it."
Harper continued giving him the cold shoulder. She hurried along; Zeke stopped following her. He needed some help, and fast.
"And why should I help you?" asked Alex. "After all that you did, or in this case didn't do, to Harper? She deserves better than you."
Zeke continued pleading. "Please Alex! Give me another chance. I'll take care of her, I swear!"
Alex looked at Zeke, then at her brother. Justin nodded. He knew that Zeke will always keep his promises, no matter what happens.
She sighed, then smiled at Zeke. "Fine."
"Yes!" Zeke jumped in victory. "Thanks you guys! Really!" He hugged them both.
After some time Alex broke the hug and pointed at Zeke. "But if you ever hurt Harper again…"
Zeke cut her off. "I won't."
Alex rolled her eyes and laughed. "Oh, and one more thing. I want romantic walks out in the park, holding hands, and slow kisses on the cheek."
Later that day Alex went to Harper's room. "Hi-yah Harper! Watcha doing on this fine Friday night?" she called out as she entered their former basement. "Nothing much. Looking at old magazines for ideas…" Harper answered.
Alex plopped herself on the bed next to Harper and started looking through the old magazines. "Aren't you supposed to be out with Mason tonight?" Harper asked.
"Nah. I wanted to spend some quality time with my best friend," Alex coyly answered. Harper laughed. "Thanks Alex."
"Whatever," Alex answered. Then she found it - the page she was looking for.
"Hey! Speaking of Mason, check this out!" she showed Harper the magazine. It was a quiz entitled "Is He The Guy For You?"
"Come on! Quiz me!"
After Harper asked the questions and Alex answering them, they tallied up the corresponding points and looked at the results. Alex grinned as the results were positive. "Your turn!" she screamed.
"What? Me?" asked Harper. "Yeah! Let's see if you and Zeke are meant to be together," Alex responded.
"I already know the answer to that one Alex." Harper answered glumly. "Oh stop ruining the fun! Come on!" Alex insisted. Soon enough, Harper gave in and started answering the questions.
At first Harper was very negative in answering the questions about Zeke. Alex knew she had to step things up and started arguing. "You DO have things in common! Like cheerleading!". "Wait! Didn't he express his love for you through the art of the clog? And that was in front of your parents!". "But you like him BECAUSE he's weird!"
After a while of careful consideration (kudos to Alex for being a master debater), they tallied up the points and Zeke passed with flying colors.
"See Harper!" Alex nudged her best friend. "Told you you guys were meant to be together forever." Harper smiled sheepishly and said, "Well, I do still kind of have feelings for him."
Alex smiled and hugged her friend. She stood and left Harper for her to contemplate on things. Alex closed Harper's door, then quickly made her way up to the living room where Justin was waiting, cellphone at hand.
"Text Zeke and tell him to call Harper. Now."
Harper was sitting by the bench in front of the Russo's apartment. Soon she saw Zeke coming and gave him a weak smile. Zeke smiled back, then went to sit beside Harper.
"Hey Zeke," she greeted. "Hi… Harper," he greeted back.
"I'm sorry about how I've been treating you for the past couple of days," Harper said, embarrassed of herself and looking down. Zeke gently grabbed her hand and patted it. "It's okay."
Harper looked up and smiled at Zeke. Then she saw the huge box that Zeke was carrying a while ago. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yep. I finished it for you," Zeke said proudly. She blushed. He grinned. "Well, show me!" Harper said.
Zeke took the robot out of the cardboard box. He laid it on the ground and pressed the "On" button in the remote control. Soon the robot started moving and rolling around.
"It moves?" Harper squealed. "Yeah," Zeke said. "It even talks, too."
Then the robot started to roll towards Harper. It stopped. Harper looked on in bewilderment.
"I think you are really cute," beeped the robot.
Harper smiled. She looked at Zeke and said, "Aww, what a sweet little robot!". She asked, "But I thought robots don't have opinions?"
Zeke bit his lip. "Well…" he said stepping forward, "Maybe it wasn't the robot's opinion…"
She blushed. He blushed as well.
They walked around the park, their hand curled into each other's. Zeke lifted it and kissed the back of her hand as orange leaves started to fall. They stopped and locked eyes at each other.
A ladybug got caught in her hair. Zeke smiled as he carefully removed the little critter from her bangs and let it fly off. Harper blushed as he said, "Have I told you that ladybugs look good on you?"
He gently moved the strands of hair from her face and tucked them in her ear. He caressed her cheek, and kissed it.
Harper's eyes brightened as they made eye contact. Zeke gave her a shy smile as he moved his fingers through her hair and onto the back of her neck. She held her breath; he moved forward. And they shared the longest kiss they've ever had, the longest kiss they could share without having to stop for air (not that they wanted to).