AN: Sorry for the wait! Here's the next installment!

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The romantic dinner went to the back of her mind as the past stood right in front of her.

She was now eighteen and the carrot top was barely a man, kneeling in front of her with that goofy grin of his. They were in the gardens of the local park with the flowers in full bloom. The sun shone on the single diamond ring pinched between his forefinger and thumb.

"So," he asked after a long moment of silence, "wanna be Mrs. Robbins?"

Happy tears welled up in her eyes. "Of course I do!"

She practically tackled him to the ground as she hugged him and kissed his face. For four years they had been together romantically – first, middle school friends and then high school sweethearts. It was only natural that the next step should be marriage.

At least, that's what she had thought.

She hadn't known that his parents had been pressuring him, nor of his reluctance to buy the ring for a good month. She didn't realize that what she thought was genuine was only fool's gold –his affection merely the appearance of something of worth.

Then, six months later, she knew better.

It had been a harsh way to learn the truth, seeing your betrothed in bed with another – and a stripper at that.

"Why?" she had asked him in a choked voice.

He toweled off some whipped cream from his chest as she waited for his answer. The other girl had grabbed her coat and bag and then promptly left, not wanting to be a part of the drama that was undoubtedly to unfold. Sora wished she could just run from this reality too, but it was her reality to deal with.

There could be no running from this.

"I don't know," he tiredly sighed and tossed the towel to the floor. "You should have kept me interested." She wanted to slap him, but couldn't move. His words froze her in place as the tears fell down her cheeks. "I'm not ready to get married," he said and then went into the bathroom.

That was all he had left her with.

No apologies, not a lick of guilt or remorse.

"Sora?" Leon murmured next to her, lightly touching her shoulder.

She blinked and she was back in the present. She frowned deeply and without further thought she stepped out of Leon's arms, promptly slapping Ken across the face. She took a little glee from seeing him recoil from the hit and the bright red mark on his face.

"Don't come near me again," she darkly muttered.

"Sora, hang on - " Ken started, his clear blue eyes widening when Leon sent him a withering look. Ken stayed in place, not daring to approach with a warning like that sent his way.

Leon then turned his back, opening Sora's door.

As the car zoomed away, a photographer approached Ken from behind the decorative bushes.

"Whoa. What was that about?"

Ken turned to the photographer. "Nothing to worry about. Did you get the shot Steve?"

Steve grinned. "Shots," he corrected, "if we're quick, we can be one of the first to post about the elusive Leon Oswald's new chickie."

Ken peeled his photo off of the valet id tag he swiped earlier while Steve was the distraction, revealing a photo of a black man in his forties. "Guess I should return this."

Steve shook his head. "Slick hands."

"Guy was off duty. Shouldn't have left it lying around."

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In the car, Sora was quiet.

They got to a red light and Leon turned his head a little to look at her. Her face was towards the side window and her bangs covered even the corner of her eye.

"I don't want to talk about it," she half whispered.

Leon nodded to himself. He figured as much, but it didn't stop him from wondering.

"Regardless of what had happened," he murmured, turning his face back forward, "that was a fantastic slap."

Despite the situation, she laughed. He let loose a small grin upon hearing it.

By the time they got to her apartment, they were talking again, the sudden resurfacing of her ex in the back of her mind. He parked the car and got out to get her door. She took his proffered hand with a smile, pulling herself up against him.

He felt her hand on his shoulder as she leaned up for a kiss. She broke it off soon, much to his disappointment.

"He's an ex," she sighed, resting her forehead along his jaw, "I'll explain another time."

"You don't have to."

"I want to," she lifted her head to lock eyes with him, "if we're going to keep dating, I want us to get to know each other better."

His hand buried in her hair, lifting her close for another kiss. It was slow, soft, and sensual – she mewled as he parted her lips, her fingers digging into the fabric of his dark coat.

He pulled away slightly.

"I'd like that," he finally murmured.

She waved a goodbye as she climbed the steps to her apartment. He didn't leave until he saw her open the door and go inside. She closed the door, leaning her back against it to shut it.

May sat on the couch with a book in her hands under the single lamp light. Sora wasn't all too surprised to see that her roommate had waited for her return, no doubt to get all the juicy details.

"So? How did it go?"

Sora put her fingers to her lips. "He's a good kisser."

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