Authors Note: I'm sorry to keep interrupting with these.

Firstly, this chapter was extremely emotional for me to write. If you've read my profile, then you'll know ahead of time that the revelations Alicia makes to Zak in this chapter are true for myself personally. I hope Zak's reaction doesn't seem to terribly unrealistic. It basically just poured out of me, as it is my "dream" of how a guy would react to my situation. To be honest, I cried after writing this.

But on a positive note, the moment quickly turned around when I had tweeted Zak on Twitter, about his April Fool's joke and he replied to me! I can easily say it was the happiest I've been in a while. I'm still grinning like a fool whenever I read his tweet. :)

So, here we go.

Chapter 15: Uncomfortable Revelations

We walked outside, and I was blown away by the paradise before me.

The patio doors led us to a large, covered area of the back yard. There was several chairs with small tables beside them. There was a large set of wind chimes hanging from one corner of the roof covering the patio.

Around that space, was a beautifully designed - what I could only describe as - "Zen Garden".

There was plenty of trees and plants through out the large yard.

Amongst all the foliage, there were several water fountains and of various sizes and styles. One in particular that I had noticed, looked more like a waterfall than a fountain.

There was also a very large pool, that was abstract in shape, and had a shallow area that looked to come up just above your ankles.

Gracie suddenly came running out past us, dropping her new toy as she did and went running into the shallow area of the pool. She walked around in the water for a brief time before laying down in it, her ears back, and looking as content as can be.

I laughed, and Zak laughed too.

"I told you she was a character," he said, leading me over to two chairs near the edge of the covered patio.

I smiled as I sat down in one of the chairs.

"Can't say I blame her, it's beautiful out here…" I said, looking around some more, in awe of my surroundings.

Zak sat down in the chair next to me.

"You like it?" He asked, smiling at me.

"'Like' is an understatement," I replied.

Zak smiled.

"I'm glad," He replied, looking at the nearby waterfall fountain.

I smiled and looked at him.

"So…no twenty questions about what happened in there?" I asked, nodding my head back toward the house.

I didn't want him to question me, I didn't want to talk about it. Especially with Emily's strange message. But considering his past behaviour with me, I was surprised he hadn't immediately started interrogating me.

He turned his head to look at me and smiled slightly.

"You'll tell me when you're ready," Zak said.

I was surprised at his change of attitude, but immensely relieved.

"Thank you…" I said softly.

He smiled and nodded.

"No problem," he replied.

I smiled and looked around at the yard again.

I could live out here, I thought to myself.

"So, what's the deal with Aaron and Cheryl? Are they a thing now?" Zak asked.

I laughed.

"I honestly don't know," I replied. "Aaron's not the type of guy she usually goes out with," I added.

Zak raised an eyebrow.

I bit my lower lip slightly. I realized that didn't sound right.

"I don't mean that in a bad way. Aaron's a great guy," I said, pausing briefly, "It's just, her past boyfriends were never so…" I trailed off, trying to think of the right word.

"Goofy?" Zak suggested.

I laughed.

"Honestly, yes," I replied.

Zak laughed.

"I get it," Zak said. "He can be serious though. I think his goofiness is his way of dealing with everything we go through," Zak added.

I nodded in understanding.

"I can see that," I replied.

Zak smiled, then looked at me curiously.

"What about you?" He asked.

I looked back at him in confusion.

"What about me?" I asked.

"What type of guys do you usually date?" He asked, with a slight smirk on his face.

Oh boy…

"Well…" I started.

I hated this topic, ever since my early twenties.

After I had turned 21, I started classifying myself as the "human anomaly" that I now felt I was. I hadn't dated anyone, still hadn't had a real first kiss, and definitely hadn't had sex.

Nothing had changed in that regard.

Considering Zak's reputation for having dated a lot of women, how in the hell was he going to react to these new facts about me.

Zak held up his hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright. I get it, I'm not your type." Zak said with a laugh, but I thought I picked up on some pain in his voice.

"I didn't say that," I said honestly.

I could easily picture myself dating him. Especially since I felt so comfortable around him, and I knew I didn't absolutely have to hide my paranormal experiences.

Zak practically beamed.

"Oh really?" He asked.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh god, you're going to run away from me, screaming," I said.

He looked confused.

"Why? Are you a sex addict?" Zak jokingly said. "Cause I'm totally cool with that," Zak added, clearly trying to act serious.

I couldn't help but laugh, and also felt my face flush.

"You're really making this worse for me Bagans," I replied.

He laughed, but then looked at me with a serious expression on his face.

"Alright, I'll shut up. Tell me," Zak said.

I studied him briefly.

I guessed it was better to get it over with now, so that we hadn't gotten to close if his opinion of me changed.

Please don't change your opinion of me, I thought.

I swallowed back a lump in my throat, noticing I had absentmindedly started playing with a small thread of material from one of the holes in my jeans.

I watched my hand as I said my next words, afraid to see his reaction.

"I haven't exactly dated anyone before…like, ever…"

Zak laughed and I looked at him in surprise, instantly feeling hurt.

"Oh come off it, stop pulling my leg," Zak said.

Oh. He thinks I'm joking.

"I'm not kidding Zak…" I said softly.

He blinked.

"You're serious, aren't you?" Zak replied.

I nodded slightly, feeling tense.

"Yes," I answered.

Zak paused briefly.

"Can I ask why?" Zak asked.

I sighed softly.

"Because I'm shy. Have little self esteem. Have social anxiety," I said softly, looking down at my hand on my leg again. "And no guy has shown interest in me," I added quietly.

I didn't look at him for his reaction, but I could sense he was shocked.

"Did you avoid guys completely? Cause I find that hard to believe," Zak said, with slight humour in his voice.

I laughed slightly and yet again, forced myself to look at him.

"No. By the time I reached 21, I convinced myself I'm a 'human anomaly'…" I said, hearing the pain in my voice.

"Oh my god, you don't really believe that, do you?" Zak asked.

He almost sounded pained for me.

I looked away.

"Yeah, I do," I said quietly.

"Doll, if either of us is a 'human anomaly', it's me. Hands down," Zak said, with a slight laugh.

I sighed quietly.

"Zak, I'm completely innocent in regards to a love life," I said.

"'Completely'?" He questioned, sounding unsure.

I nodded, and just said it point blank now, still avoiding looking at him.

"Haven't had a real first kiss, haven't dated, and haven't had sex," I said.

I wanted to crawl into the deepest, darkest hole I could find.

I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable "you're a freak" response.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt the tips of his fingers gently rest under my chin, turning my head so I was looking at him.

He looked completely serious.

"I understand why some people might think that's strange, but I don't," Zak said softly.

I looked at him in shock.

"You don't…?" I asked quietly.

He can't be serious…

"No," Zak answered softly. "If anything…it just makes you more attractive to me…" He added, lightly stroking my jaw with his thumb.

I knew it.

I leaned my head away from his hand, looking down at my lap again.

"Oh yeah right," I said quietly, and went to get up.

I stopped when I felt him gently, but firmly, grab my arm.

"I'm serious. It means there's no past guys I'd have to compete against. That you felt I was worthy of possibly taking you on your first date," Zak said softly, with a slight smile on his face.

I looked at him with a hopeful expression on my face.

He can't be this understanding, can he…?

He smiled at me and reached up and lightly and gently brushed his thumb down over my lips.

I thought I was going to die right then and there.

"It means that maybe, I'd be lucky enough to be the first, and maybe only, guy to kiss you," Zak said softly, glancing at my lips before looking back up at my eyes. "And maybe, I'd be the first and only guy to touch you…" He added quietly.

I felt my heart pounding in my chest, and felt my face flush.

Good God…

I couldn't stop myself from speaking my next thought.

"It would also mean, that I would have to be competing against…a lot," I said quietly.

How could I possibly stand a chance?

He frowned slightly.

"In my mind, you're already beating my past. By a long shot," Zak replied softly.

I felt my eyes start to tear up a bit.

"You do realize…it also means I can't go too fast…" I said quietly.

He smiled slightly at me.

"I know," He said quietly.

He leaned closer to me then, moving slowly.

I felt myself tense up with panic and anxiety. He looked like he was about to kiss me. I wasn't ready for that.

Before I could say a word, his head tilted up and he gently kissed my forehead.

Part of me felt relief.

But for the first time in my life, part of me felt sad.

I watched him as he slowly pulled back to look at me.

"You're worth the wait…" Zak whispered, looking me in the eyes.

Oh. My. God.