Hey guys! I am back! I am sorry for not updating. I will tell you the reason, after the story, so that I don't spoil the chapter.

And Thumbs up to IzzyQuagmire0907 for guessing the Easter egg in the last chapter correctly! It was a reference to Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider franchise. There is also a reference in this chapter to a song. The person, who guesses that correctly, will have their name mentioned in the next chapter! Yay!

HAPPY READING!

Chapter 10:The K word…

Zia's POV

"….. and I ended up with my head in the closet and Sadie on my back" Carter finished, his story before laughing, and I couldn't help but join him. Soon we were both laughing so much that I stumbled and slipped on the pavement and fell down. Carter stopped laughing and rushed to my aide, but soon he sat down next to me laughing.

I slowly got up on my knees and looked at him laughing his head off. I wanted to just kiss him right there. Wait where did that come from? I am not in love with Carter. I just saw him today. I can't be in love with him, can I? A small part of my head asked me, if it mattered whether I met him today. Maybe it didn't.

I must have been staring for some time, because carter's laughs subsided and he looked up at me, curiosity and nervousness dancing in his eyes. And then suddenly, out of the blue, he pushed himself up and captured my lips in his. Fireworks exploded in my mind, and I was too stunned to react. I felt my body stiffen up and I guess Carter sensed it too, because he pulled himself away.

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have done that." He whispered, his eyes refusing to meet mine. He got up from the pavement and muttered another apology. He turned and started walking away. I didn't know what to do.

Carter's POV

"You galactic idiot." I screamed at myself. How could I have done something so stupid? I had ruined the whole evening. It was going perfectly. After drinking a beer I had suggested that we could go for a walk, saying that I couldn't drink much as I college tomorrow. Zia had agreed and everything was going casually. And then she had to slip and fall and I had to sit down next to her, and look at those amber eyes of hers. And I HAD to do that. I mean, what sort of image I put across to her?

And my reaction had been stupid. I had broken apart as soon as her body went rigid, and said sorry and walked away. And I was walking away. I didn't dare look back, for the fear of seeing her walk away. I rounded the corner of the street and sat down my back against my wall. I put my head in my hands and, contemplated about the fact that I had just blown the best opportunity I had at any kind of relationship.

I didn't know how long I sat there but after sometime I felt a hand on my shoulder. I tilted my head up and my eyes met the amber ones of Zia.

Zia's POV

Mustering up all the courage I could, I asked him "Why are you sorry?" he just looked at me, eyes filled with sadness, and yet such kindness.

"I am sorry, I ruined your evening. I shouldn't have…..you know, back there" he pointed to the way we came from.

"I am sorry if I came across as a creep, and I understand if you don't want to talk to me. I just want you to know, I am sorry." He said, looking at my eyes. I felt sparks fly in my head.

"Carter, if I didn't want to talk to you, why would I follow you?" I said and as soon as I did, I felt my cheeks heat up. Without a moment's hesitation, I leant in and pressed my lips against his. Surprised, at first and then relieved Carter returned it. Surfacing for air, we grinned madly at each other. As soon as we stood up Carter bent down again and pecked me on the lips. He walked me home, and throughout the way, I could only think of the way how the spaces between his fingers, were filled perfectly by mine.

At the door of my building he stopped and captured my eyes, in his dark brown ones.

"Listen Zia, whatever happens after now, I just want you to know…. I have certain feelings towards you. Feelings I don't want to name just yet, because I am afraid of rushing things. But, if you wouldn't mind, I want to take you on a proper date." He said nervously.

That was probably the most romantic thing I have heard in my life.

"I would love to go on a date, Carter" I whispered, hugging him and pushing my head beneath his. I pulled away from his embrace, and leaning down, he captured my lips for the fourth time that night. When we pulled away I rested my forehead on his, closed my eyes and smiled. I could feel carter do the same, and at that moment I was sure. I was in love.

So the reason I couldn't update last Saturday as promised was because my grandfather's brother passed from this world, and I was really close to him. So it was difficult to write, when all I could think of is how happy he was the last time I saw him. So things haven't been great lately. I was almost on the verge of giving up writing but I made a promise to him that I would follow my dreams. So I couldn't give up my biggest one. This chapter is dedicated to him. May his soul rest in peace… HAPPY READING!