Chapter 14

I felt myself waking up. Yesterday had been a good day – the happiness was still fresh in my heart. I lay in bed with my eyes still closed as I remembered the kiss I shared with Rikki.

Oh man, I was smitten.

COD. Today. My eyes snapped open.

Rikki was coming over to play Call of Duty with me tonight.

We had decided on that yesterday.

An even bigger smile took over my face.

OoOoO

I had been home from working at the café for about an hour. I had spent that time cleaning up – or at least making the lounge more presentable. Dad's cleaner wasn't coming until tomorrow morning. I had also set up the second screen for Rikki to play with. Once I was happy with it, I dropped onto the couch and played with my phone until I heard the doorbell ring.

I got up and answered the door.

"Hey Rikki," I said with a smile.

"Hi Zane," she replied softly.

We spent a few seconds too long looking into each other's eyes.

I suddenly realised how long it had been and cleared my throat.

"Sorry, come in," I said with a sheepish look.

Rikki smirked at me.

She came inside and walked towards the lounge.

"I haven't played COD in a while, so sorry if I suck," she announced as she sat down on the couch, grabbing a controller from the coffee table.

"I'm sure you'll be fine,"

I grabbed the other controller and turned the console on.

We were a few matches in when the frustration started.

"Gah, I just got sniped," I groaned. "Second time this match,"

"Damn," Rikki said, moving into a building. She shot the guy that came around the corner.

I respawned and got back to the action.

I died yet again as the match ended.

"Right," I sighed. "Pizza?"

"Sure," Rikki nodded.

As I ordered the pizza online, Rikki got up and grabbed a glass of water.

I hit submit as she returned to sit down.

"Done!"

"Nice," she said before taking a sip of water.

"What do you want to do now?" I asked.

"No more COD? Tired of dying already?" she asked with a teasing smirk.

"Maybe," I huffed good-naturedly. "Movie or a different game?"

"Hmm," she considered. "Movie,"

By the time we had decided on a movie (Transformers), the pizza arrived.

We started eating as the film started.

At some point during the film, Rikki had moved closer to me. It felt so natural that I hadn't noticed until now. She was much closer.

Now, our sides were flush together as she leaned into me.

Her hand found mine where it rested against the seat of the couch.

My breath hitched as her thumb gently rubbed against the back of my hand.

Was I dreaming? I forced myself to keep my breathing steady.

I turned my hand so our fingers locked together.

We shared a quiet smile before continuing to watch the screen.

By the end of the film, Rikki's head was resting against my shoulder.

I definitely wasn't complaining.

It of course wasn't the first time we had sat like this watching a movie, but last time we had been boyfriend and girlfriend, not…whatever we are now.

I decided I would let Rikki decide what we are and when to talk about it. After all, it was her trust I was trying to re-earn.

The credits started rolling. Neither of us wanted to move it seemed.

"Zane," she said, lifting her head slightly from my shoulder. "I have really enjoyed tonight,"

"Me too," I said, giving our joined hands a squeeze.

Rikki took her free hand and brought it up to cup my cheek.

I offered no resistance as she guided my face the short distance towards hers.

Closing her eyes, she leaned in and sealed her lips to mine.

It was so gentle I could cry. Our lips connected once more before we parted, resting our foreheads together. I was aware of the silly soft smiles gracing our faces.

My heart was so full.

Goodness, I love you.

Suddenly, Rikki jerked away, her smile replaced by a confused frown. She took her hands from mine.

"Rikki?" I started. What had I done?

Oh no.

"Did I say that out loud?" I asked weakly.

She nodded.

At least she wasn't out the door.

"Sorry! Pretend you didn't hear anything," I said, backtracking.

"No," Rikki said quietly, looking back at me. "Let's actually talk about it,"

This surprised me. I hope I hadn't ruined everything. We'd been in such a good place.

I waited, watching for clues on how this would go. She didn't seem angry.

"You love me?" she asked tentatively. A faint blush crossed her cheeks as she said it. It was as if she couldn't believe it.

I hesitated before nodding firmly.

"I love you, Rikki," I said, equally as quiet. My heart was thumping in my chest.

"You," she started, "you, um, never said it before – when we were together," she trailed off.

"I wanted to," I said honestly. "I was just a scared idiot," I said. She let me take her hands again. "And an idiot in general,"

"You were an idiot in general," Rikki agreed. I nodded apologetically.

After a pause, Rikki spoke again.

"You wanted to," she echoed my prior words. "You've…loved me for..."

"A long time," I finished for her. "I'm sorry that I told you like this. I was hoping to wait until…until you might be able to say it back," I avoided her eyes.

"Zane. Zane, look at me," Rikki gently tilted my chin so I was looking into her eyes.

I was surprised to find that her eyes were watery and a smile once again graced her face.

"I love you too,"

I was stunned into silence. I must've looked like a stunned mullet.

I couldn't believe it.

Rikki laughed gently.

"You're going to catch flies, Zane,"

"Did I hear that right?" I asked staring.

Overwhelming feelings of love, joy and excitement rushed over me as if a dam had just burst. A gigantic grin crossed my face.

"Yes," Rikki began, "I love y-mmph!"

I crashed my lips against hers suddenly. I never wanted to lose this feeling of euphoria.

She responded just as passionately, wrapping her arms over my back and shoulders.

We finally surfaced for air.

"Wow," I said.

Rikki smirked.

"I love you so much, Rikki," I admitted again. It was as if a weight had gone – being able to admit to the truth. Her smirk quickly changed into a soft beam.

"I love you too, Zane," she responded, kissing my cheek softly.

We basked in our revelations, snuggling together on the couch, for who knows how long. Eventually, we moved to the kitchen to fetch the cheesecake for dessert.

We moved with our arms around each other's waist, not wanting to let go.

OoOoO

"When did you know?" Rikki asked later.

"It took a while before I realised that it was 'love'" I replied. "I knew I cared about you, but it wasn't until the end of year 11 that I realised the depth of what I was feeling – it's when I got working on making your dream with the café a reality,"

"Wow," Rikki breathed.

"And you?" I asked, trying to keep my excitement tamped down.

"It was after when you found out where I really live. After you made up with my Dad, I knew that I could love you. Maybe I was in denial about loving you already – I dunno," Rikki laughed. "I knew for sure after we dealt with Charlotte,"

"So we knew around the same time, and didn't tell each other," I laughed. "Great communication," I said sarcastically.

"Yep," Rikki laughed. Her expression turned sober again. "I think it's why I was so devastated when you broke my trust this year," Rikki admitted. "You really hurt me, Zane,"

"I know. I'm so sorry," I apologised again, kissing her hand. "I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you,"

"The rest of your…you see us together forever?" Rikki asked cautiously.

"If you'll have me," I looked at her vulnerably.

"I'd like to give it a try," Rikki said smiling.

Internally I jumped up and down with joy.

Externally, I leant in and gave Rikki yet another soft kiss.

"Does this mean we are back together?" I asked hopefully when we pulled back.

"Yeah, Zane," she replied. "Let's give us another go,"

A/N: Hi everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it haha

They're finally back together! Their months as friends allowed them to rebuild a solid foundation before jumping back in to a relationship.

I'd love to know what you thought!

Thanks to Sammiloveschoc and Angryfanfic for leaving reviews :)