"Hold still!" Abby scolded as she waved the brush around.

Kuki blinked rapidly. "You poked me in the eye! It's pretty hard to keep your eye open if somebody stabs it!"

Abby grinned and rolled her eyes. "You're just being a baby, look up."

They both giggled and Kuki did as she was told. Abby beamed when she'd finished. "There, done."

Kuki smiled and turned around to look in the mirror. Abby had added a light but glamourous touch to Kuki's makeup, dark eyeliner accented her stunning eyes, pink blusher sculpted her rounded cheeks and glossy red MAC on her lips. She beamed at her reflection and rearranged her loose curls. Her face then fell slightly as she stared at her whole outfit, a ruffled white top and a green chiffon skirt with a floral pattern that reached her thigh.

"Do I look a little too...easy?"

Abby scoffed. "You kidding? Girl that's a conservative outfit!"

Kuki pursed her lips. "Billy always hated this skirt. He said I looked like a street hooker."

Abby stood up and walked behind her, looking at the reflection that Kuki saw. She smiled when Kuki met her gaze. "Billy's not Wally."

"I know." Kuki smiled. "He just, still gets in my head."

Abby hugged her reassuringly. "He will, you just need to learn to block him out. Watch Wally's face when he picks you up, you'll see how wrong Billy was."

Kuki nodded and smiled at her with gratitude. Then another thought came to her head. "Am I going too fast? With Wally?"

"What are you talking about?" Abby chuckled, still making eye contact through the mirror as she turned to put away her makeup. "It's your first date!"

"But it's only been a month since I broke up with Billy! Am I moving on too quickly?" Kuki asked, her nerves making her fidget with her hands.

Abby shook her head. "I don't know. I think you moved on from Billy months ago, you just didn't have the courage to end the relationship...Plus you and Wally have practically been in love with each other since you were nine years old. If anything, you guys are taking things so slow you're killing me!"

Kuki laughed and nodded, once again staring at her reflection in the mirror. There was a knock at the door that made her heart flutter. A small wave of panic rushed through her stomach. Abby smiled.

"Here he is." She smiled.

Kuki shook her head. "Abby I can't. Go tell him I'm sick!"

Abby rolled her eyes. "Girl, why are you freaking out? I know first dates are scary, but this is Wally. Why's it going to be so different to you hanging out like you have been?"

"He'll know." Kuki whimpered, tears starting to fall from her eyes. "What if he comes and hurts me, what if he hurts Wally?"

Abby grabbed her hand and pulled her to sit on her bed. "Boy, he messed you up bad huh?"

Kuki used her finger tip to swipe away the tears under her eyelid. Abby rubbed her arm up and down. She spoke softly. "Okay, first off, Kuki, he's in prison. You heard the judge the other day, he's been put away for four years, he can't hurt you. Second, you need to stop crying, I did not go through that torture of putting eyeliner on you just for you to cry it all off!"

Kuki chuckled. Abby smiled. "Last off, you'll be with Wally. Is he really going to let anything happen to you?"

Kuki forced a smile at Abby and shook her head. Abby chuckled. "I saw him on that parking lot at the hospital, beating that idiot up for saying a bad word about you."

"Does he really like me that much?" Kuki asked. Remembering Billy's harsh words. "He doesn't touch me or spend that much time with me anymore."

Abby smiled. "Kuki, he's crazy about you. He's probably keeping his distance because he doesn't want you to feel pressured. When you're both in the same room the guy's so distracted, he can't take his eyes off you."

Kuki smiled. She took a deep breath and nodded. She jumped when the door knocked again. Abby chuckled. "Let's quickly sort that eyeliner out then you go and open the door before the doofus thinks he's at the wrong house and knocks on Mrs Angelo's door."

Kuki giggled and nodded, Abby had fixed Kuki's makeup in a matter of seconds. She then slowly descended the stairs. Reviewing Abby's calming words in her head. She gripped the door handle and slowly turned it, taking a deep breath before opening the door. She couldn't help but grin at how smart Wally looked, he wore an orange check, collared shirt with deep blue jeans and smart shoes. His hair stayed in its usual, ruffled style. He beamed at her as she opened the door, his face dropping when her whole body was revealed. His eyes trailed from her perfect hair to her carefully picked outfit and back up to her face.

"Wow." He stuttered. "You look…"

Kuki smiled, waiting for his next words, which he seemed to struggle with getting out, She bit her lip, hoping that the word to follow was positive. She became anxious when he still seemed to attempt to come up with a follow up.

"Stunning, exquisite, so hot it's untrue?" Abby suggested in a holler from the top of the stairs. Kuki turned and glared at her in embarrassment, ignoring the chuckle as Abby walked down the stairs. She turned back to Wally.

"All of them!" Wally replied after a nervous chuckle. He leant forward and planted a light kiss on Kuki's cheek. "Ready to go?"

Kuki nodded, trying to hide a blush. She turned and gave a small wave to Abby and went to walk out of the house.

Wally glanced her up and down once more with a smile. "You might want to grab a jacket."
Kuki looked back up at him. She was right, she was showing too much skin and Wally didn't like it. Wally observed her shocked face in confusion. He then smiled. "You might get a little cold where we're going."

"Oh." Kuki responded, then smiling brightly as she grabbed Abby's leather jacket from the coat stand, rushing out of the house before Abby could recognise.

They slowly walked to Wally's car in silence. Wally grabbed the passenger door and opened it, gesturing for Kuki to take a seat, she smiled and giggled before taking his hand and sitting down. Wally carefully closed the door and rushed over to the drivers side where he slid in, put his keys in the ignition. He took another look at Kuki and smiled before pressing his foot on the accelerator and pulling out.

"So where are we going?" Kuki asked shyly.

Wally grinned at her. "Wait and see."

Kuki smiled back at him and rested her head on the window, staring at the scenery quickly fly past her. They were driving for around half an hour before Wally pulled up onto a deserted car park. Kuki stared at him expectantly with a confused frown. He grinned at her and jumped out. Rushing to Kuki's side to open the door for her and helping her out. He then stood behind her and locked his door, then spun around and placed a hand over her eyes, making her jump.

She giggled. "Wally! What're you doing?"

"Making sure you don't peak." He responded, using his other hand to guide her as they walked.

Kuki didn't realise how hard it was to walk across gravel when you couldn't see. It was petrifying having to rely on Wally as her eyes as he led her slowly, his hand not budging from her eyes.

They walked the entirety of the parking lot. After a few more steps, the texture of the ground under Kuki's feet changed, it felt softer, harder to balance on.

"Wally." Kuki chuckled. "How much longer? I'm going to fall!"

"Not much further, don't worry. I won't let you fall." He responded calmly.

She took a step too quickly and tripped, gasping as she felt herself falling in a direction that she hadn't planned. The sensation only happened for a fraction of a second however, Wally gripped her arm firmly, taking her weight and stopping her. She breathed, not being able to contain a small smile. Wally hadn't let her fall. He never used to.

They only walked a short distance from here before Wally stopped Kuki. He slowly took his hand away and Kuki gasped, throwing her hands to her mouth in shock when she saw what was in front of her.

They were on the beach, a small round table for two was placed neatly in front of her, a white table cloth placed over it and two plates, covered with a foil wrap. A long candlestick sat in between them. The table was surrounded by lanterns lit with little candles scattered around the floor.

Kuki looked back at him in amazement. "You did all of this?"

Wally grinned back, he led her to the table and pulled a chair for her to sit down, she smiled at him gratefully as she did so. Wally then sat down opposite her and pulled the foil from the plates.

Kuki giggled. "You cooked?"

"Don't call it that until you try to eat it." Wally joked. "I tried to stick to stuff that I couldn't ruin."

Kuki chuckled and looked down at her plate of pasta. It was in a thick red sauce. A slice of garlic bread was on the side of the plate. She picked up her fork and placed a small portion into her mouth, humming in gratitude. "It tastes good!"

"I'll tell Betty Crocker thank you." Wally replied. Making Kuki laugh. He grinned back at her as he swallowed a mouthful of food. He sighed before speaking again. "So how have you been?"

Kuki shrugged. Toying with the food on her plate as she thought. "Okay I guess. The courts and statements have been pretty hard."

"Sorry I haven't been around." Wally replied, chewing on his food. "I thought you'd want to deal with it without me in the way."

She shrugged again. "I thought...Never mind."

"What?" Wally prompted, fishing another mouthful of pasta into his mouth, an inquisitive look on his face.

"Nothing." Kuki shook her head.

Wally nodded. "No, tell me."

Kuki looked up and her eyes met his. She gulped her mouthful of food and took a deep breath before speaking. "Billy said that you were just using me to get what you wanted, then you'd leave."

Wally's eyes widened in shock. "Why would I do that?"

"Why would you want to stick around for damaged goods?" Kuki shrugged without thought, eyeing her food as she pushed it around miserably on the plate with her fork.

"Kuki." Wally exclaimed, reaching out a hand and steadying her fork hand, making her place it down and then pulling it to the middle where he rested it on the table and gently held it, stroking it with his thumb. "You're not damaged goods, don't even think that!"

Kuki shrugged, shaking her head. "Sure I am."

"You're not." Wally argued softly. "You're sweet and kind, and pretty, and probably the most...amazing person I've ever met!"

Kuki blinked and slowly stared back up at him. Wally smiled warmly. "Can I be honest with ya?"

Kuki bit her lip. What was he going to be honest about? She nodded nervously.

Wally sighed. "I...hated that guy. From the day I met him when we were kids. Before I knew what was going on. He just...Wasn't good enough for you Kooks. No One ever will be."

Kuki breathed as Wally continued to talk. "But now that that douche is out of the way. If you'll let me, I want to spend the rest of my life trying to be good enough for you."

She gasped and stared up at him. Her breath caught in her throat when his eyes met hers. They were both interrupted when they heard a crash above them, followed by a sudden shower of rain tumbling down on them.

"Crud!" Wally muttered. His hair almost instantly soaked. He stood up hastily. "Wait there. I think I have an umbrella in the car!"

Kuki stood up and quickly walked to a tree that rested on the car park, just a few feet away from them, in an attempt to get some shelter as Wally ran back to his SUV. She smiled and took in the sight before her, the rain droplets falling at such a force that the flames of the candles were instantly extinguished, the sand under her feet becoming firm and gritty. She sighed in content, almost jumping when she felt Wally's shoulder brush hers. She looked up to see that he was holding an umbrella over her head, shielding her from the cold drops. He now wore a frown on his face as he watched the rain bounce from the table, the now inedible food turning to slight mush.

"Sorry, I didn't even think to check the forecast." He sighed. Feeling that the date was now ruined.

Kuki chuckled at his frown. She turned to face him. "You forgot."

Wally raised an eyebrow. "Forgot what?"

"How much I love the rain!" Kuki replied with a giggle. "It's just made the night perfect."

Wally furrowed his brows at her as he smiled. Chuckling at her optimism and low maintenance personality. He shuffled forward, closing the gap between them and slowly lowered his head. Kuki beamed and pursed her lips as she nervously moved her head towards him.

The thudding sound of running footsteps made her jump. Was it Billy? Had he gotten out of custody and followed her? Was he going to hurt them? She gasped, jumped and pulled back, whipping her head to turn in the direction of the fast paced steps.

Wally jumped at her reaction and looked up to follow her gaze. Kuki dropped her shoulders in relief as she saw a smartly dressed man holding his jacket over his head in an attempt to shield himself as he ran across the parking lot to get out of the rain as fast as he could.

Kuki closed her eyes, looking down at the floor in embarrassment. There was Wally, about to kiss her, just like she'd always dreamed of from the young age of ten. Now she'd just ruined it.

She heard Wally sigh, then felt a finger curl under her chin, slowly pulling it up until her eyes me with his.

"Relax...Don't worry. I'm here. Nothing's gonna happen." He whispered to her soothingly. His hand sliding from her chin to her cheek. His warm fingers tickling a sensitive spot behind her ear and making her shiver. "I won't let him hurt you again."

Kuki exhaled as Wally's lips pressed against hers firmly. She felt like she was melting into his arms as he gently wrapped the one that wasn't holding up the umbrella around her. Electricity seemed to rush through her body and she felt instantly dizzy, thankful that Wally was holding her so tight else she feared that she'd collapse onto the floor.

What confused her the most was that she didn't feel guilty, it didn't feel wrong that she was kissing somebody that wasn't't Billy. On the contrary. It felt so right, the way she fit under Wally's strong arm, the perfect unison that their tongues were now beginning to move together, his heart beat that was racing under her palm even felt like it was perfectly in time with her own as it pulsed through her own body in excitement.

She almost groaned childishly in annoyance when he pulled away. His eyes traced her face as he caught his breath and the corners of his lips pulled up slightly. He whispered as if he couldn't manage to speak any louder. "Come on, let's get out of the rain. You're starting to shiver."

Kuki nodded, deciding not to tell him that it wasn't the harsh chill ai that was making her shiver, it was more likely the butterflies that flew in her stomach as he draped a lazy arm over her shoulders while they turned around and walked to his SUV. He opened the door for her and she smiled gratefully. Hopping in with ease. He held up an index finger through the windscreen to her and ran back in the direction that they had just came from. Soon returning with the table and chairs folded down under his arms, the lanterns and lights entwined in his fingers.

He sighed audibly after he threw the items into this trunk and dived into the front seat, Kuki giggled at him and couldn't resist but reach over at run her fingers through his soaked hair. He glanced back over at her and shot her a heartbreaking, boyish smile

They pulled out of the parking lot and Wally glanced over into her direction. "So, where to?"

Kuki shrugged, looking at the time on Wally's dashboard. "Can we just go back to yours for a while? Abby won't be going out with Maurice for another hour or so and I don't feel like the twenty questions about what happened yet. I don't really feel like anywhere busy either."

"Sure." Wally smiled. Flicking his blinker to head in the direction of his house.

They drove in comfortable silence for a while. Before Kuki spoke the question that she had in her mind since she saw him in the grocery store months ago. "Have you ever had a girlfriend?"

Wally scoffed and chuckled, his eyes still on the road. "What?"

"I never saw you interested in anyone. Not when we were kids, not when we were teens, not when we met again." She explained. "Nigel always talks about Rachel, Hoagie talks about any girl who'll give him attention, but you...you always stayed clear of it."

Wally shrugged. "The only girl I was ever interested in was taken."
His hand cautiously shifted from the gear stick to her knee. He sighed, blushing at his own response. "Even if the guy was a dick, I'm not the kind of guy to hit on someone elses girl. Plus, I never thought you were interested."

Kuki smiled and placed her hand over his. He glanced back over to her and smiled.

When they got to his house, they both got out of the car, rushing quickly out of the rain. Wally opened the door and stepped aside for Kuki to walk in. She stepped in and walked slowly into the hallway. She took the time to take in the decor around his home. She'd been into this house a few times and had not noticed how homely it was. There were pictures around the hallway, of him with his family, his friends, even one with her when they were younger. She walked over to it and examined it.

The memory slowly came back, she was wearing a pink dress. Wally was in his signature orange hoodie from when they were younger. They looked around ten years old. Kuki giggled, this was from their end of year school play back in elementary school. How she missed those times.

She felt a fluffy throw drape over her shoulders and tilted her head to look at Wally, who was staring at the photo with her, his arms wrapping around her waist. "That was always one of my favorite pictures."

Kuki beamed back and rested back into his arms. Wally pressed his cheek against hers and smiled. "Let's pick out a movie."

Kuki sat on the sofa next to Wally as they watched the flickering screen. Kuki smiled in content as Wally's arm draped over her shoulders, tracing a lazy circle on her arm. She snuggled into him and nuzzled her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes with a dreamy smile. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this comfortable, this happy, this safe.