A/N: Huge happy belated birthday to my amazing friend storytime09 ! I really hope you like it, even if I was a little late to the party with my gift. ;)
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"Do you know what the only thing that could make this summer better is?" Addison quizzes him from his computer screen. Her boyfriend of two months taps his chin thoughtfully before answering.
"Hmm, you're right. We need popcorn and ice cream for our movie stream." Zed agrees. "Hold on. I'll go get some."
"No! Z! That's not it!" She giggles, making the green haired boy on the other end stop pretending to get up from his laptop. Her giggling makes him smile wide. He loves hearing her beautiful laugh. And knowing he was the cause makes it that much better.
"Then what would make it better? The fact that I met you this summer already makes it pretty amazing to me." He points out. He can see her eyes soften over the video chat.
"The only way this summer could be any better, is if I got to see you. In person. Hug you, kiss you, cuddle with you. The whole nine yards. That's the only way it'd get better than you've already made it." She tells him sincerely. His heart melts.
"That really would be great, Adds." He agrees softly.
He's not exactly sure when or how it happened but he knows he loves this girl he met during quarantine. He's known for a while actually. It's easy since she has such a sweet and loving personality.
She never once has judged him this entire time they've been talking online. No matter what secrets he trusts her with, or how many ghosts of his past he tells her about, she sticks around and trusts him with her own.
But he hasn't told her yet.
He's afraid if he admits he already loves her, she'll be scared off. Sure, maybe she's waiting for him to tell her first, but the fact remains that she hasn't said it yet either. What if all she's looking for is a summer fling? Someone to spend hours on end on video chat during quarantine with?
He's just not prepared to lose her.
"Let's just enjoy the time we get to spend together right now." He tries to comfort her. "These movies aren't gonna watch themselves!" He jokes lamely, earning another quiet giggle that she tries to hide.
"Do you think we will meet up when life's back to normal though?" She asks in a small voice.
"Yeah, Addy. Someday. I promise." Zed assured her genuinely. Her lips lifted as she nodded.
"Ok," she believes him, "now it's movie time!" She cheers excitedly. He chuckles as she shares her screen with him to play the pick of the night, 'Into the Wild'.
An inspirational adventure drama about a man who left his life and all possessions behind to travel across the world to live the rest of his days in Alaska. The movie was pretty good. Zed enjoyed the nature and action shots, but he didn't really care about the movie. He caught himself several times just staring at Addison as she watched intently, nibbling popcorn kernels in suspense. He wished he could've been there beside her, especially to comfort her as she cried over the ending.
It makes him think though. The man in the movie was in search of true happiness. A happiness that didn't involve material things or money. Because in the end none of those things matter.
Zed's mind instantly goes to the girl on the computer screen before him. She makes him really happy. And, it might sound crazy but, he hopes that someday he can spend the rest of his life with her. If this whole quarantine has taught him anything, it's that life is precious and you should hold onto the ones you love more than anything else.
"I think I'm gonna get to sleep a little early tonight. My parents set up a big family group meeting as this year's family reunion." Addison groans.
"You don't think you're being a little dramatic? Your folks can't be that bad." Zed says, chuckling under his breath.
"Oh they are most definitely that bad. They think if you have a single imperfect trait, then you're a disgrace to the family and doomed to be an outcast the rest of your life." She explains matter-of-factly.
"So they probably wouldn't approve of me then." Zed cringes. Addison giggles while shaking her head.
"Nope. Not a chance." She confirms without hesitation. But then she leans closer to the camera. "But I couldn't care less what they think. ~Let them talk if they wanna~!" She sings proudly.
"~Let them talk if they're gonna~" Zed adds.
"~We're gonna do what we wanna-ahhh~"
"~We're gonna do what we wanna-ahhh~"
Zed's heart soars as they harmonize, then her soft, gentle voice grips him as she sings, "~so let them talk, let them talk~ …if they wanna." She whispers.
"Addison, I think I lo—" his mouth catches the word before he can speak them, "—st track of time. I don't wanna keep you up too late." The guilt that consumes him as he watches her face register the disappointment tells him everything he's been thinking is wrong.
"Oh. Yeah. You're right." She agrees in dejection.
Zed opens his mouth to take it all back, confess all the love that he has for her. But she smiles and stops him from saying anything at all.
"I'll try to talk to you tomorrow. I just don't know how much since my cousin will probably want to shit talk for a while after the meeting." She says with a teasing eye roll.
Zed forces a chuckle since he knows she's trying to lighten the mood. "Ok, Addy. I'll wait up for you." He says, a weakened smile not reaching her eyes as she nods.
"And hey," he stops her this time, she looks up and he can feel himself holding her eyes. "I'm really sorry." She looks surprised then laughs dryly, shaking her head.
"Don't be, Zed. You haven't done anything wrong." She assured him gently. It feels like a weight dropped into his chest as she continues to smile. "I'll talk to you later." She whispers.
"Yeah. Goodnight Addison." He returns softly.
Their call cuts and he's back at the home screen.
He messed up. He knows he has. And he hates himself for it right now. She looked so upset. He should have just told her. He's been hiding it for too long and he knows she feels the same. She has to. They have way too good of a connection for him to be reading her wrong.
Then an idea struck him. They'd both been quarantining for months, barely leaving their houses for anything other than contactless grocery pick-ups. They were extra careful. Not having contact with anyone except virtually.
What would be the harm if they quarantine together?
She only lives a couple hours away. He could surprise her! Drive up for as long as she would have him, then come back. His stomach starts to flutter with butterflies. He's going to actually get to see her. As long as she's ok with it when he gets there, of course. But he's sure she'll be ok with it. So sure that he snaps his laptop shut and jumps off the couch, rushing to his room and digging out his duffle bag and deciding on a few sets of clothes, pajama pants, and toiletries he would bring.
What was he going to wear when he knocks on her door? Should he try cutting his hair? No. Absolutely not. He would definitely butcher it.
Maybe he could ask Eliza to do it. No, that would ruin the whole point of 'they've been extra careful'. Screw it. Addy wouldn't judge him for having slightly messy hair anyways.
Now, all that's left is to wait and make a plan.
It's been a whole day and a half since he's actually spoken to Addison. She sent him a couple texts yesterday before and after her virtual family reunion and a good morning text today, but they haven't called or video chatted since their little miscommunication the other night.
He misses her voice.
He wishes he could just dial her up and talk to her during his drive. But that would ruin her surprise. He let out a sigh, clicking the call button on his steering wheel.
"Call Eliza." He commands.
"Dialing Eliza on cell." The robotic woman's voice confirms before the ringing starts to fill the cab of his car.
"Hello, Z," she greeted in an almost old timey tone.
"Hey, E! You sound chipper today." He points out.
"Well since you're asking," she starts.
"Wasn't technically asking but I'll happily listen!" Zed interrupts teasingly.
"Shut up and let me tell you my story!" She scolds.
"Ok, ok! Sorry, carry on." Zed apologizes with a chuckle.
"So you remember that group project I had to work on last week? The one with that girl who was arguing with everything I said?" She asks.
"Yeah?"
"Well, first of all, we crushed it! Aced every aspect! Just like I said we would!" She boasts proudly.
"That's amazing, Eliza! Congrats!" Zed exclaims excitedly but then he grows quiet for a moment. "But, what's the other news?"
"Ok, ok. This is the most exciting part." She starts, he can tell she's rearing up for a long one. "So, she was texting me, right? Conversation flowing, things got kinda flirty, and then she tells me SHE was nervous to talk to me! She said it was 'cause she thinks I'm crazy smart and she didn't think I'd be into her! Can you believe that? She didn't think I'd be into her!"
"But you were telling me how annoying she was being." Zed points out in confusion as to where this was really going.
"That was annoying getting argued with constantly, but dude she's so hot. She has this vibe to her. She has this intensity to her, like a wolf just waiting for a chance to escape from the day-to-day life." Eliza told him with a dreamy tone.
"Well I'm glad you've finally found a chick that can keep up with your crazy ass!" Zed laughs lightly.
"Oh shut up, you idiot." She laughs along. But then she pauses. "Wait. Where are you? Did you leave to pick up groceries or something?"
"Oh! No. I'm driving up to quarantine with Addison for a while." He explains nonchalantly. The silence drags for a few more moments.
"Aww! No way, Zed!" Eliza gushes. "You two are finally getting pretty serious, huh? Did you finally admit you love her?" He's thankful he's alone in his car because his cheeks turn an embarrassing shade of pink.
"Well, yes and no." He confesses. "See, I think she was expecting me to say it the other night, but I chickened out and now I think she might be upset about it." He rushes out. "So I decided I'm gonna surprise her! Tell her face to face so she knows how much she means to me!" And suddenly, his mood shifted to panic. "Is that crazy?! That sounds crazy! Am I being crazy?! I don't want her to think I'm crazy! Should I go back?!"
"Whoa! Z, calm down!" Eliza stops him. "I think what you're doing is sweet. And you know Addison, she's just as much of a hopeless romantic as you are. I'm sure she'll be insanely happy to see you."
He took a deep breath to calm his nerves, eyes fixed on the road ahead as he drove. "Yeah. It'll be fine." He mutters to himself.
"No, it'll be great. Just relax and be yourself! Addison will be happy." She assures him. He nods, back straightening off the seat with some much needed confidence.
"Thanks, E. I'll text you once I get there. I'm about 15 minutes out." He says gratefully.
"Cool. Good luck Romeo! Go get your Juliet!" Eliza encourages teasingly.
"Talk to you later, jerk." Zed laughs.
"Later." He ends the call.
Eliza's right. Addison will be so happy he's coming over. As long as he's not too late to tell her how he feels. His anxiety threatens to rear its ugly head but he just continues to focus on winning his girl.
It starts to seem like he's only got small town driving left as the speed limit decreases and little shops and restaurants line the main road. Though it was mostly a ghost town, most shops closed for business and only a few stragglers grabbing takeout or just walking to stretch their limbs.
But one little flower shop with stands set up by the front door makes him pull over.
He throws the car in park and grabs his black face mask to put it on before jumping out. He rushes over to the first stand and a particular bundle catches his attention. His eyes are fixated on them. These roses that faded from white at their base to pink at the tips of each petal would be absolutely perfect for Addison.
"I see you've found something to your liking." The elder woman calls from a stool propped in the corner several feet away. Zed blinks, shaking off his daze and grabbing the bouquet.
"Yeah, these are beautiful. I'll take 'em." He agrees.
"They're probably not as beautiful as the young lady they're intended for." She argues with a light chuckle. Zed laughs along, his excitement to see the girl of his dreams face suddenly overpowering his fears.
"How much do I owe you?" He asks, taking his wallet out from his back pocket. The woman hums for a moment, looking over him and the flowers he'd picked out.
"Five dollars." She tells him firmly. Zed gawks at her.
"There's no way that's right. Do you need to see the sticker or something?" He offers, stretching the flowers closer to the woman. But she chuckles shaking her head.
"Young man, I've been running this flower shop for 30 years. I know the prices." She jokes, then adds with a soft look in her eyes. "And if these times have taught me anything, the moment this bundle of roses will make for the lucky lady receiving them will be absolutely priceless."
She straightens in her chair, putting her palm face up towards him. "Five dollars and they're yours. That's the most I'll accept."
"Thank you." Zed smiles, even though she can't see it behind his mask, and stretches to hand her the bill. He doesn't want to put a risk on this sweet woman by making direct contact with her.
"No, thank you. Now, go make someone very happy." She shoos him away pleasantly. With a final 'thanks' for her well wishes, he hurries to his car and gets back on the road to his destination.
To confess his feelings for the girl he loves.
He stands in front of her front door with roses in hand, heart racing and fighting a panic attack before reaching forward to pressing the doorbell. He takes a couple steps back, in case she doesn't actually want him there, while he waits.
And waits.
And waits.
He thinks maybe she just won't even answer the door. Maybe she's been planning to break things off and in-person would be too hard. He starts to turn to head back to the car, then he hears the lock of the door click.
His spine stiffens.
The door opens swiftly. He can already hear her apologizing before he can even see her, head lowered putting on her mask.
"Sorry sorry sorry! Sorry for your wait. I left my mask across the other side of the house on acciden—" her rambling cuts short as soon as she lifts her head, eyes gone wide. "Zed," she breathes.
"Hey, Addy," he greets just as breathless.
For a few moments they just stare at each other, unbelieving that this is really happening. Then, her hand reaches up and takes off her mask, revealing the most beautiful smile he's ever seen.
"Zed!" She exclaims, rushing forward wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
He pulls her close, squeezing his eyes shut when he hears her start to sniffle. He commits every detail of her to his memory. No matter what he would never ever forget the way he feels right now.
After a long minute, she starts to pull back, wiping the moisture from under her eyes. "This is real! You're really here!" She says in disbelief, a happy smile brightening her beautiful face.
"Yeah," he chuckles before gently grabbing her hand with his free one, staring deep into her stormy blue orbs, "I've been thinking a lot about what we talked about a couple days ago, and, it made me think about us."
He finally offers her the roses. She takes them in her free hand and he revels in the way her eyes sparkle as she admires them before looking back up into his eyes for him to continue.
"I realized how badly I never wanna lose you. I love you, Addison." He confesses with utter certainty. The tears threaten to spill over her lids once more but her beautiful smile only widens.
"You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that." She admits, releasing his hand to tangle her fingers in his green hair, grown out with his natural brown roots, and pulling him down for their lips to finally meet.
A kiss that expresses everything that words could never portray. A kiss that makes their hearts soar to the stars above. A kiss they've both been longing to share for some time now.
Slowly, they pull apart, arms still holding each other close. "I don't know if you can tell but," she starts teasingly, "I love you, too." She finishes softly. Zed can't help the giant goofy grin that splits his cheeks, and it makes Addison giggle.
Then she takes his hand, giving it a light tug. "Come on! Let's go inside! I'm sure you could use a good comfy rest after your drive." He lets out a dreamy sigh at the suggestion.
"Addy cuddles? Yes please!" He cheers, earning even more of his absolute favorite sound in the world, her laughter. He follows in behind her.
Both completely ready to start this new chapter of their quarantine story.