I suggest to listen to the whole song, since I had a hard time deciding what part of the lyrics I should use.

Part one

Walk away

Chapter IV

'Cause I don't wanna be like this,
I've been runnin' these street for too long now
(The diary, Hollywood Undead)

"Would like to order now, Miss?"

"No, thank you. I am waiting for someone."

"Of course, I'll come back later."

You take your phone. She hasn't texted you back. You dial her number and call her for the third time as you take a sip of your wine. No answer. You send her another text. You are starting to get angry.

You were supposed to meet a little more than fifteen minutes ago – seventeen to be exact, and you still didn't hear from her. You were expecting a text – if expecting a call is too much, something, but it seems you're not getting anything. You shake your head and you curse yourself for being so damn stupid. Paige got cold feet. She changed her mind. She was never going to throw everything away for you. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Miss, if you're not going to order, I'm afraid I will have to ask you to..."

"Emily! I'm so sorry, my car broke down."

You stand up. That's not Paige's voice.

"Well, I suppose I can wait for a few minutes while you decide."

The waiter smiles kindly and you nod in appreciation. You turn to Samara and smile confused at her. She smiles back at you radiantly.

"I saw you there, it seemed like you could use some help. That's me, I'm a helper."

You manage to laugh at her antics, "Thank you. But what are you doing here?"

"This is the better Italian place in the area, they have a killer pizza. But as far as right now, I'm going to keep you company until your date arrives."

You shake your head and go to protest, but she stares at you with a determined look on her eyes and every protest you were about to move dies in your throat. She pulls out the chair for you and you sit down, smiling and touched by the gesture. You thank her as she takes her sit in front of you.

"Don't mention it. Now, what your date would like to eat?"

In that moment your phone beeps. You look at Samara, who gives you a quick nod and a warm smile, then you look at it. You shake your head at the text. She's twenty-nine minutes late in her apology. Being sorry won't change anything.

"I wouldn't know and it doesn't matter, she won't come."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I don't know what to say."

You bow your head and shrug. There's nothing she can't say. There's nothing to say.

"Hey."

She calls you and you look up. She smiles warmly at you and you can feel yourself melt at the sight. She really has a pretty smile.

"It's her loss."

You shake your head. It's your loss, too.

"I'm serious. You are beautiful, smart and funny. What's not to like? If she can't appreciate these qualities, it's really her loss."

You blush a little and smile at her words. Then you give her a nod to which she answer with a kind smile. Maybe it's time to let go. You thank her, but she waves it off with a shrug, claiming that she was only stating the truth. You blush harder this time.

"Are you ready to order?"

The waiter has come back. He shifts his gaze between you and Samara, waiting for one of you to answer. She just stares at you with a blank face. Your decision is immediate – and it's also easy, you enjoy her company.

"We are. A pepperoni pizza for me and..."

"An extra cheese for me."

"Can we also have two beers? Thank you."

The waiter, Derek, nods and smiles at the both of you, before leaving. You turn to Samara who just smiles at you. You smile back. You can see she's a little surprised.

"So, just so you know, you're buying."

You laugh, "Of course."

You make small talk and you fill the blanks of your previous encounter with her at the pub. You remembered the big picture of it, but not the small details. You didn't remember all the topics you covered – for example, you didn't remember talking about swimming. You didn't remember the way she uses to move her hands when she speaks or how is easy to make her blush.

"I never got your call."

You bite your lip as you look at her. She doesn't seem mad or annoyed, but genuinely curious. She explains that she understood why you didn't contact her when she saw you in this restaurant, obviously waiting for someone, but that she still expected to hear from you.

"I can explain, I didn't mean to. I mean, I wanted to call you, but I couldn't. I thought we didn't exchange numbers or that, I don't know, maybe I lost yours and you lost mine. But I would have called, it's just that I was drunk and the morning after I didn't remember alm..."

"You're cute when you are blabbering."

You blush and look down as she laughs. She assures you she believes you and says it's okay, but you can see that something is bothering her. It takes you sometime before you get it.

"That kiss...", she flinches and you know you got it right, "I didn't kiss you because I was drunk, I may have been a little tipsy, but I wasn't drunk."

"Then why?"

You take your time before you answer. You didn't think about it before. You knew you didn't kiss her because of the alcohol. Sure you were hurting over Paige, but you know that is not the reason. She has hurt you various time over the months you've been having this secret affair, but nothing ever happened with anyone. You even never thought about it. So that's not the reason.

"Your eyes. They're blue, but they change to grey depending on the light."

"Um, what?"

You realize you're not making any sense, so you try to find the words to express your thought. You tell her that the first thing you noticed about her was her eyes, that they were so blue that you thought you were going to drown in them. You tell her how you noticed that they turned grey when you were about to kiss, you tell her that you stood there for a moment before kissing her because her eyes were like a mirror and that you could actually see what emotions she was feeling in that moment.

"You are good with words."

"They aren't just words."

She stares at you, then she blushes, but she still looks at you when she says, "I know."

You smile at each other and as she finishes her beer you ask for the bill. Derek comes back a few seconds later with it and then leaves to assist other clients. You grab your purse and you search for your wallet. You give a quick look at your phone. Twelve texts messages and twenty six missed calls. All from Paige. You sigh as your turn it off and take your wallet.

"I was joking before, you don't have to pay for me."

"But I want to."

"Why don't you offer me an ice cream, instead?"

You furrow your eyebrows, "At this time of the year? It's freezing outside!"

She chuckles at your words and then she just shrugs, claiming that ice cream is the best thing on the world. You smile at her and you agree to her proposition. You pay for what you have bought and then you leave a tip for Derek.

Samara holds the door open for you and lets you walk out first, you smile again at the chivalrous gesture. The cold wild hits you and you start to freeze. She looks at you and smiles amused. You shake your head, saying it's not funny. But she just smiles again and takes off her coat, handing it to you. When you refuse, she insists, saying that she got something she can wear in her car, so you give in, thanking her.

"Do you think someone will notice this is my father's?"

You burst out laughing at the sight of her. That coat is three times her size and the scene is extremely hilarious. She pretends to look offended, but then she joins you.

"You look like a penguin."

"A hot penguin, I hope."

"A really beautiful penguin, yeah."

She smiles bashfully and blushes, giving you a playful shove. You laugh hard together as you make your way to the ice cream shop down the road. Samara tries to guess your favorite flavor and she gets it right at the first try, surprising you. You're a vanilla girl, it seems.

"Guess mine."

"And you'll give me your number?"

"You'll never guess right anyway, so yes."

"Pistachio."

She makes a disgusted face as she shakes her head laughing. You try the oddest flavors, but she just keeps shaking her head, smiling at you. You give up after the tenth attempt.

"Chocolate."

She says simply as you stare at her with a unbelieving look on your face. She just laughs as she sticks her tongue out. You glare at her.

"That's cheating. You told me I would never guessed right, you made it seem like it was an odd flavor. It's not fair."

"We didn't establish any rule."

She shrugs and enters the shop, you follow her shaking your head. She fooled you. You sigh as you take a look at your surroundings. There aren't many people. You stand to Samara's side as she announces she's going to get the biggest ice cream they have since you're the one paying. You just smile at her and nod. You're going to get her whatever she asks. You're really thankful to her.

"Would you stop using that damn phone? You've been attached to that thing since we got out tonight. It's been awhile since it was only the two of us, I really want to enjoy ourselves together."

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'm turning it off, okay? Here, done."

You freeze. You recognize that voice. So this was what the something that came up. It was Robert. The reason she didn't come was her boyfriend. She stood you up to go out with her boyfriend. To get an ice cream with her boyfriend. They probably even have had dinner together. Why didn't she tell you? You could have understood, you could have... No, you couldn't. You wouldn't have understood. That date, that not-date or whatever it was meant so much to you. It meant everything and Paige knew. You made her understand what importance it held. She knew and she didn't come. She knew.

Samara pulls the sleeve of your – her – coat to get your attention, you turn to her and she gives you a confused look. You tilt your head in Paige's direction – a few people behind you – and, when she understands who she is, she grabs your hand, giving it a squeeze, and remembers you it's her loss. She lets go of your hand when you nod, giving her hand a light squeeze before she does, thanking her softly. She just smiles warmly.

Your turn quickly arrives and you let Samara order for the both of you. A chocolate cone for her – medium size, and a small vanilla cup for you. You pay, thanking the costumer and wishing him a nice evening, then you turn to Samara, asking why she didn't get the biggest size. She smiles before answering.

"If I leave you broke, you couldn't keep on buying me ice creams. And I'll let you know, ice cream holds the key to my heart."

She winks at you and you simply smile at her. She drags you out of the shop, laughing and holding your hand. In your way out, you lock eyes with Paige for a brief moment. You see her eyes darkening at the sight of your joined hands. You just look away. You don't want her to ruin the night Samara managed to save. You're having fun and you don't want it to stop.

Samara takes you to a park nearby and you sit on a bench, eating in comfortable silence. You finish first and you watch her as she finishes hers a few moments later. She pats her stomach and smiles happily, giving you a thumb up. You give her an amused smile.

"What?"

"You..."

You don't finish that sentence, but you point at her upper lip. She nods and she tries to clean herself, unsuccessfully. You clear your throat and your hand shake a little as you take the tissue from her grasp and you help her clean up. Your thumb strokes her bottom lip unintentionally. You can feel it tremble under your touch. Her laughter is a mix between embarrassment and nervousness.

She doesn't look away, though. Blue eyes stares into yours, scrutinizing your soul and making you feel naked, but you're not cold. You're embraced by an indescribable warmness. The last thing you see before closing your eyes is her eyes turning to grey. Your lips meet in the softest of the kisses and you can taste chocolate. It's all you can taste as you lose yourself into Samara's lips. Her hand find its place on your cheek while yours disappears in her blonde hair, pulling her closer. This is the warmth you've always wanted.

You separate a few moments after, gasping for air, without really putting some distance. Foreheads touching, you still can feel your hot breaths on each other's lips. You smile as she rubs her nose against yours. You play with her bottom lip and then you take it on your lips. When you let it go, she gives you a soft peck and smiles at you.

"You're supposed to kiss the girl at the end of the date, you know?"

"I'm kinda unpredictable sometimes."

She chuckles, shaking her head as you smile, "I kinda know now."

"So we're on a date?"

"I thought our date started when we walked out from that restaurant. Was I wrong?"

You shake your head and smile again. She wasn't wrong. You just didn't know she thought the same. You lean in and she meets you halfway. You don't know what's happening right now. You are confused. You know you find Samara beautiful, she has a gorgeous smile and her eyes are so blue. You know you enjoy her company, she's smart, funny and kind. But you know you're in love with Paige, you know that – as much as you wish you didn't.

"Don't think."

"Not thinking is what got me in the situation I'm in."

You decide to be honest, you like Samara and you don't want to lie to her. You bow your head and look away. You hear her sighing. She lifts your chin to make you look at her and she smiles kindly at you.

"Then think about it in a different way. We're here together, we feel at ease in each other's company, we have fun, we like each other. Let's take it from here. What do you think?"

"I think I can do it."

"Good. Now, why don't you kiss me again?"

You just do that.

You laugh at Samara's text. She is so silly. You text her goodnight and you thank her for the night, putting a smiley face at the end of it. You really had a good time. Your date ended shortly after your agreement about taking things as they come. You kissed and you talked, then kissed some more. Afterwards you made your way back to her car and she insisted on giving you a ride back to your dorm, accompanying you to your door where she kissed you goodnight and finally giving you her number. She actually wrote it on your arm to make sure you are not going to lose it this time. You texted her immediately, telling her you had a great time with her and to make sure to text you when she got home, and changed into your sweats as you waited for her to answer. She texted you back twenty minutes later, saying she made it home safely, and you texted for another hour before finally whishing goodnight to the other.

Hanna left you a note not to wait for her up, since she is staying at Caleb's place for the night. You smiled at it. It seems that things are really going well for her and that makes you happy. She really deserves to be happy.

You are about to fall asleep when you hear knocks on your door. Who could it be? The knocks grow louder and you get up from your bed yawning. You're really tired.

"Emily, it's me."

You freeze. It's Paige. You stand there frozen, unsure about what to do. You don't really feel like talking to her right now. You don't want to hear what she has to say, what excuse she will find this time.

"I know you're there. I'm going to wait here until you open this door and let me explain."

You sit down on Hanna's bed, staring at the door. Paige keeps on knocking, but she gives up when she understands you're not going to open it. You see movements behind the door, she just sat down. She is really going to wait. You bite your lip. She starts talking.

"I wanted to come. You don't know how much excited I was for this date – because that's what I wanted it to be. I wanted to come, Emily. I've had just made up my mind about what to wear when Robert showed up and I panicked. I didn't know he was going to, I swear."

She wanted to come. She wanted it to be a date. Your heart flutters, but you don't let it go too far. You keep on staring at the door as you wait for her to continue. And she eventually does, accepting your silence.

"I panicked and I didn't know what to do. He was so happy to see me, he wanted to go out. He's my best friend, I can't say no to him. I didn't know how to tell you. It took me awhile to get the courage to send you that text. You know I'm no good with words. I am sorry and I know that being sorry doesn't fix a damn thing, but I want you to know that I am. I am deeply sorry."

She makes a short pause and you can hear her clearing her throat. This is not enough.

"I once told you that Robert saved my life. And I was serious."

You remember. You remember her explaining her attachment to him, the dynamic of their relationship. But she never told you the complete story. You get up and reach the door, sitting on the floor.

"After Valerie's death, I... I was broken. I was completely alone, the only person who really knew me and loved me for who I was died. And it was my fault. If only I hadn't called her, she would be still alive. That was the only thing I could think about. That is the only thing I still see when I look into my parents' eyes. "

You sense she is starting to cry. You grab the knob and pull it down, but you can't, Paige is keeping it up on the other side. You understand she doesn't want you to open up right now. You nod to yourself.

"Robert was the only one who tried to be there for me. He was the one who found me lying on my bed when my way to cope didn't work. It was unintentional, I didn't plan it to go that far. After all, I promised her that I would live for her. That's the promise I made to her, the one I told you about. Robert saved me. In more ways than one. I owe him everything. He's my best friend, Emily."

Tears begin to form into your eyes. You didn't know, you had no idea she had gone that far. You bite your lip as the tears roll down on your cheeks. You stand up and start to pace in front of your door. You have to do something, you can't stay still.

Only now you're beginning to understand their relationship, the depths it involves. Only now you're beginning to truly understand Paige. You knew she never forgave herself for Valerie's death, you knew that Robert wasn't just a way to hide herself, you knew how she and her parents immolated her in a life she doesn't want, but only now you're starting to truly understand. Your heart aches.

"I know I'm late, but I want you to know everything, Em. I'm not seeking your understanding or your forgiveness – I know I don't deserve them, but you deserve to know. So I'll go back to the first time I saw you."

"Paige..."

This is the only thing you say, not trusting your voice. You don't even know what to say.

"Let me do this, okay? It's time for me to be honest."

"Okay."

"Thank you. So... The first time I saw you, my entire world stopped. You were the most beautiful woman I ever saw. I remember thinking 'She's the most beautiful woman of all the times'. Cheesy, I know", she chuckles, "But your beauty wasn't the only thing that captivated me: there was a light in your eyes that immediately took me in. I've been craving for that light for all my life. They were so kind and warm. Over the years that feeling didn't fade. Do you remember our first night together? Because I do. I remember everything, every single detail. That was the first time in my life I felt... complete and that scared me the hell out of me. But I kept coming back to you, to your light."

You sob and you bite your lip once again to try to keep your emotions in check, your heart beating wildly. These are the words you always wanted to hear her say. And she's saying them now.

"You are everything I ever wanted in my life. And I think with time, I just grew greedier and more selfish. There isn't no one else for me, but you. And I thought it was the same for you, but then the other night... seeing you with that girl, the same girl you were with before, made me realize something, made me realize that I was just holding you back."

That text. This is why she sent it. She saw you with Samara. She was letting you go, she was setting you free.

"But yesterday, what you did made me think that she was just a one time thing, you know? Made me think that you felt something for me. Yesterday, when we were dancing – the first time, I realized I couldn't keep lying to myself. When we were sitting at that table, I realized I couldn't keep lying to you either."

Your breath itches as you realize what she's going to say next. You grab the knob again and this time you open the door. She turns her head and looks at you, she gets up and stares at you as she starts speaking again.

"I know I'm late, believe me, I know. I'm a fuck up, I am fully aware of that. But I... I love you, Emily. I'm in love with you and I've stopped denying that. I think I've been in love with you since the very first moment I saw you. I am sorry I hurt you the way I did, it was never my intention. I've never meant to hurt you. In the sea of all the wrong things in my life, you're the only one that is right."

You crush your lips together. It's rough and salty, but you don't care. She's not late. She's never going to be late. You put your arms around her neck as you deepen the kiss, as she lays her hands on your hips gently.

"I love you, I love you, I love you."

You repeat those words between the kisses and she tightens her grip. You drag her inside of your room and she closes the door with her foot. You pin her against the door as the kisses become hungrier, but somewhat sweeter. You let your hands roam freely, you touch every inch of her naked skin, but that becomes not enough pretty soon. You need her, you need to touch her, you need to feel her. You grab the hem of her shirt and you quickly take it off, reconnecting your lips immediately. Your hands find their place on her back. You dig your nails deep in her skin as you let out a soft moan when her lips move to your neck, hitting your weak spot. You lift your arms when she attempts to remove your shirt, then you unclasp her bra. Your hand moves to her breast as you move towards your bed, legs shaking unable to stand for much longer. You land on the bed slowly and softly, she's on top of you and she stares at you with such love and want that your breath catches for a second.

"Don't cry."

You didn't realize you are still crying until she points it out. Her lips are soft as she kisses away your tears. You smile at her as she rubs her nose against yours. Her smile melts you. She kisses you softly on the lips and then she waits for you to make the next move. You reconnect your lips once again as you reverse the positions. You kiss her and touch her everywhere, not leaving a single inch unexplored. You hear her whimpering, grinding harder onto you, so you remove her remaining clothes and resume your exploration.

It seems like the first time all over again, the excitement and the curiosity about discovering her body, and you smile as you think that you can consider it as such. This is the first time you're actually making love.

As her cries increase, you stop your teasing and kiss her deeply, moving your hand to the only place you didn't explore yet.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

She answers smiling and you kiss her again. You start moving your hand slowly, caressing her folds, and you delicately slide your fingers inside of her. The reaction is instant. You adjust your thrusts to her movements, letting her dictate the pace. You feel her breathing becoming short and interrupted, you feel her tightening around you, warmth surrounding you. You press your lips against her, holding her closer.

"I've got you, my love. Just let it go."

She just does that.

Author's note: Let me know what you think, I actually like this one.

I'm going to answer to the guests.
To the guest who suggested Paige to women up, hey, it seems she used your advice.
To the other guest, I'm sorry they hadn't had the date, maybe it will come later.
And to the other and final guest, I don't know. It's a work in progress. I'm glad you like the story, though.

Meek is out and wishes you a good day.