Nadia's POV:
I had never thought that one day, I would be in the cafeteria kissing someone, Zack, without even caring about others or what they would think of me, but it actually happened. And I couldn't care less about others.
I was quite reserved when it came to boys therefore I never showed affection to them in public and I stayed away from them .And concerning Zack, if he wasn't my husband, I wouldn't even cross the road toward him but under name of marriage, I felt like it was right...
When I suddenly heard Zack's name being called, I wanted to turn my head to see who was the intruder especially that it was a familiar female's voice but Zack didn't even budge to move as his kiss became sweeter if it was even possible, he just pulled me closer and continued crushing himself toward me.
"Oh my god" The girl spoke, excitedly. And I recognized her immediately.
Maria. Sarah's daughter.
"Maria?" Zack stood up and ran his hand through his hair nervously "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I came to see Blake" She shrugged off, swaying her hair from side to side "But man, who said I would see you kissing in the cafeteria" She suppressed a smile.
"You have the heart to talk after skipping my marriage?" I put my hands on my hips and glared at her.
"I was going to call, but... I... felt" She started stuttering adorably.
"She was just kidding Maria" Zack laughed at her as I stood up and joined him.
"You are annoying, both of you" She pointed at us, accusingly "I felt guilty for not being in the wedding especially when mom spent hours talking about it, and here you are making fun of me"
"Sorry and don't feel guilty it is fine" Zack approached her and pinched her cheeks, like a little girl.
"I thought you forgot about it"
"What gift?" Zack questioned confusingly.
"Nothing" Maria and I, answered him in union.
"Whatever! So where's Blake?" I asked her about her fiance because it's been a long time since I last saw him.
"He's here somewhere" She replied flatly, throwing her hands in the air.
"Meeting your finance? Ha!" Zack wiggled his eyebrows at her mischievously "Be careful when you see him, the paparazzi are still here"
"Says who was just kissing his wife in public" She mocked him, poking his arm.
"You said it yourself" He turned his head and looked at me "She's my wife and it felt great kissing her"
We locked eyes for few seconds, totally forgetting the fact that Maria was still standing in front of us. His lips were still swollen red from the kiss as his teeth bit the corner of his upper one, his eyes held something warm in them, giving me butterflies in my stomach, while his hand caressed my upper arm tenderly.
"Ahem" Maria faked coughed to get out attention but we were both trapped in each other's eyes.
"Yeah?" Zack mumbled, still staring deeply in my eyes.
"Blake is waiting " Maria stated when silence took its place between us "Mom is expecting you both for dinner and don't make any excuses" She gave Zack a sharp look and hugged the both of us before heading away and sending us a quick wink.
"She hasn't changed a bit" I stated after a while.
"Yeah, she's amazing and deeply in love with Blake" He squeezed my arm gently as we started walking toward the classes.
"I envy them" I blurted quietly and thank god, he didn't hear me since he didn't even react "Well now goodbye, go to class" I told him when I glimpsed at the class's entrance.
"Do you keep missing the fact that my luck sucks" He heaved a sigh full of frustration.
"Hein?"
His beautiful hazel eyes met my brown pair with a marvelous charm that made my muscles clench in my stomach especially when his fingers stroked my flushed cheeks gently, adding to their heat, a heat from another kind. We stood there in front of the class's door in a comfortable silence as students passed beside us with questioning gazes that we neglected right away.
He then lowered his head just a little bit and whispered in my ear with a seductive voice as his breath tingled my skin "But now, I can't get enough of that ugly face" He put his lips on my forehead in a sweet kiss, which was short but yet caused a feeling of happiness, a feeling that made me even neglect all of my doubts and questions that kept prompting on my mind ever since our first kiss.
Inside the classroom, I couldn't concentrate on what my professor: Mr. James was saying since my mind kept drifting to Zack who was sitting in the back row while I sat two rows in front of him. He wanted us to sit together but I sent him away because I knew that he was going to mess up pretty badly in front of Mr. James who tolerated discipline more than anything.
Col texted me asking about my last lesson which was after two hours and a half, just like Dillon threatened me to show the press my pictures when I was young if I hadn't shown up. However, both of their texts hadn't an influence on me other than excitement while Zack's made me jump out of my seat. Almost literally.
"You dropped something when you were about to take your seat :* " I couldn't but smile at the smiley at the end of the text.
"Ouh! What?" My eyes instantly fell to my backpack after recovering from the cheerleader dance I danced in my mind because of the smiley.
"My jaw" He answered in less that few seconds. However, that time, I didn't just smile but kind of chuckled loudly which made me gain sharp looks from Mr. James and questioning stares from students, that I shrugged off and continued typing.
"Using pickup lines now ???" I retorted right away.
Texting Zack was so much fun and amusing especially that he kept trying his silly pickup lines on me; and trying to keep up with him, was kind of hilarious because his pickup lines were lame. Although he was probably kidding, my heart was pounding in my chest in the beginning until it became normal and almost natural .
Zack: Did it hurt?
Me: What are you talking about?
Zack: When you fell from heaven.
Me: Lame. Try another one.
Zack: I was a big fan of chocolate until I discovered a new taste.
Nadia: Is it the part I ask you about it?
Zack: Yours...
Me: Hum... Too bad I got used to it.
Zack: No my dear. You will get used to mine and I know you like it.
Me: Mr. Confident...
Zack: Then it makes you Mrs. Confident.
Me: Hey you forgot the pretending part.
Zack: Who said I am pretending?
Me: You're not?
Zack: I was when I hated you and couldn't handle being around you.
Me: What about now?
Zack: Now, I am starting to like you.
Me: I like this one.
Zack: It isn't a pickup line.
Me: I know...
Zack: Good... ð
His last statement was like a nice fresh air in a heated night, it was way different than everything I felt around Col, maybe because deep down, I knew that he wasn't the right guy for me, we were meant to be best friends although what Dillon said kind of confused me at first but if Col really liked me they way I liked him, even just a bit, he could at least say something which he didn't. So I had to close that chapter once and for good.
My classes ended like a blur and it was time to meet Lara and the boys. I gathered my stuff and put then in my backpack after taking my last notes from the board. I called Lara between classes and asked her to come pick me up but she wasn't near college so she suggested Dillon whose house was just fifteen minutes away and I could cope with that.
Zack didn't like the idea reasoning that he didn't like Dillon nor Col. He tried to convince me to take my car while he could use cabs but I refused since I really wanted to talk with Dillon and I missed him, it has been a long time since we last had a heart to heart talk.
"I don't like them" He stated for the second time.
"You don't even know them" I looked at him, trying my best to suppress my smile "I've known them my entire life"
"True but I doesn't mean I should like them" He lifted his shoulders defensively.
"I don't understand why you hate them" I was trying my best to make him admit that he was actually jealous.
"Because I want to be the only one to witness your addicting smile in the middle of a hug, or the roll of your eyes when you think something is annoying" He ran his hand through my hair, gently "I know I probably overreacting but I really want to be the only guy you ever look at" He pressed his lips on the corner of my mouth lightly "I want you to be mine"
The moment those words left his mouth, I looked at his eyes for the longest moment before I stepped on my tip toes, put my hands on my his cheeks and planted a kiss on his lips for a mere second. After it, I just sent my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly as one of his arms engulfed my back and his hand found its way to my hair and started caressing it.
After convincing Zack that I was totally fine, I texted Dillon and told him that he would find me in the cafeteria near college. I dismissed Zack in the parking lot after making sure he took care of my baby girl: My car. However as soon as I walked away, he called me saying that I forgot something.
"Don't you think you forgot something?" He threw his arms around my shoulders pulling me closer "You forgot to give your husband a goodbye kiss" He looked down at me with a huge grin on his face.
"Well, I thought I forgot something also" I simpered as I stood on my tip toes and brought my mouth to his, my lips almost touching his lower lip.
I just stood there in front of him for few seconds as his hold of me loosened a little bit when my breathe fanned his face. So I took that chance and stepped back, and strode away. He ran after me and of course because of my baby steps comparing them to his, he caught my wrist and pulled me back, to vaguely hit his chest with my back.
"Hey it hurts" I snorted at him when he refused to let go of my hand.
"Playing smart, aren't you?" He turned me around, a dark look covering his face.
"I am not playing, I am smart my dear" I winked at him because I knew that he hated when I acted like a cocky girl. In fact, it was one of the reasons he hated me in the first place.
"What happened when you last did that?" He faced me with sparkly eyes and a smirk on his face.
"Did what?" I feigned innocence.
"Tempting me"
"You did something that gave me a strong desire of slapping you" I intertwined my fingers with his.
"Well, will you? I mean if I do it again" He stared at me devilishly, brushing his thumb on my skin, sending butterflies erupting my stomach.
"Let me see" I acted like I was actually thinking.
"Why to ask while I can find out myself?" He pressed his lips on top of mine for a quick kiss before he left me flustered and walked away.
"Zack Collins! You're so going down" I snapped at him once I recovered from the shock.
*****
Dillon had always given me great advice along with long speeches which could last hours or maybe days. That day after climbing his car, I told him everything which happened between Zack and I, he took few moments to understand the entire story before he turned off the engine to look directly at me.
"Are you sure?" He questioned immediately.
"Kind of..." I found myself blabbering since my heart wanted to say 'yes' so badly while my brain chose 'no' as answer.
"Nadia! You know that you will lose Col forever if you go with your relationship with Zack to the second level" He stated once silence settled between us for few seconds.
"The problem is that you can't lose what wasn't yours in the first place" A tear formed in my eyes at what I told him because it was hurtful but yet true "He never was" I mumbled.
"But he really liked you. He just didn't want to lose you as a friend if your relationship didn't go well" He reasoned but I kind of felt more hurt since I would always live with the idea of "what if?"
"The damage is done already and now I want to try with Zack since I can't live with two doubts in my life, Col's is fairly exhausting my shoulders" I spoke cheerfully even though deep down, I wasn't sure of what I was going to do or even worse what I wanted to do.
"Call me when you need anything or if you want me to kick someone for you" He winked at me, a smile apparent on his face.
Dillon was the boy next door, he could be a sweetheart and such a gentleman but when it came to his friends, he could turn in a monster especially when it came to me. I was the sister he never had. So he thought that protecting me was his first priority even though I kept telling him that I could handle myself. He was stubborn enough to dismiss me.
We reached the entrance of Lara's restaurant, the one her father opened ten years ago for her to take over when she finished her studies. The man in the entrance opened my car's door as I stepped out and headed slowly inside along with Dillon by my side.
As soon as we entered, I met Col's beaming face and Lara's waving hand. Laura threw her hands around my shoulder with a kiss on my cheek which I returned the hug immediately. the boys did their famous handshake with a pat on the back. And then the awkwardness started...
Col looked at me awkwardly as he walked toward me, his hand running through his hair uncomfortably. He stood in front of me, hesitation filled his eyes with a mixture of hurt and disbelief in the same time.
"So, am I allowed to hug you? Or is it forbidden now? Mrs. Collins!" He smirked as soon as I glared at him for not spelling a word.
"At times, I think you're really stupid" I put my hands on my waist and hided pain I felt under my sharp look "He's my husband and you're my friend, period"
"But..." He mumbled under his gritted teeth.
"Stop talking" I stepped closer and hugged him tightly "He understands that I have friends so you should do the same"
I felt a strange feeling in my chest. In one hand, I felt released that I finally closed that chapter of my life, and put the final points to the deal. But in other hand, I felt like a piece of my heart was shattered and nothing would bring it back. But life goes on...
I thought that things between Col and I would be awkward but they weren't even though we had some moments where we just stared at each other for few seconds, without spelling a word before the oblivion of Dillon and Laura stepped-in.
My mind kept drifting to certain person: Zack, neglecting the various dishes Lara ordered for us. Food was absolutely delicious and tasteful but all I kept doing was playing with my fork while I acted like I was enjoying myself and in fact, I couldn't stop thinking about him.
/*What was happening to me*/
His shadow kept prompting in front of me, his light beard, perfect smile and well shaped figure. I couldn't wipe him off. The way he looked at me before leaning down and planting a kiss on my lips, and the way his cheeks turned red when Maria called him, he was just perfectly imperfect and I couldn't get him out of my head.
How did I fall for him in a short time? I hated him and couldn't bear to talk to him, but back then in the restaurant, he was the only person in my mind. He somehow knew how to break my walls and enter right through them to my heart.
Back to the table, Col and Lara started questioning about Zack: How it all started and the reason I hid the truth. Even though Dillon tried his best to help me, I found myself in a position where I had to lie on people I trusted with my life, and it was one of the hardest things I ever faced.
"I don't know, it just happened" I stated when their gazes rested on me.
"Really? You planned an entire wedding without even inviting us and you're saying that it just happened" Col rolled his eyes annoyingly "A wedding doesn't happen by itself"
"We were seeing each other, and then when grandpa fell sick, we thought that it was a good idea" I tried my best to look at least reasonable "And about the wedding, it was Mrs. Collins's surprise"
"But hey, it doesn't cover the fact that we didn't attend our best friend's wedding" Lara threw her hands in the air "Whatever"
"Guys, now that it is all over, let's move on with our lives" Dillon stepped-in as he took a long gulp of water.
"Man, she married Zack" Col pushed his juice aside, while he kept eyeing Dillon "Literally Zack"
"What should we do? The damage is already done so instead of talking about the problem, why don't we just have a peaceful meal?" Dillon whisper-yelled at them.
"Please guys, I will make it up to you" I didn't find what else to say because I was a terrible liar and they could blow my cover in a matter of seconds.
"We're done for now, but we'll talk about it later" Lara exhaled a breathe before calling the waiter who gathered the remained food and took our orders for desert.
The tension was apparent in our conversations, it was as if we were just pretending of enjoying our time, and it only made me feel bad because I caused that situation and I couldn't even make things better, I just had to suck it up and pretend that everything is cool, at least to save my friendships because they had right.
When we were about to leave, Col insisted to drive me home leaving Dillon and I no way to argue. Lara had no say in the deal since she lived in the second part of the city. Therefore, I was stuck with Col who was obviously preparing a speech for me.
/*Lucky me*/
The ride home was one of nerve wrecking moments I ever had to experience in my life, since I always had an outgoing relationship or shall I call it friendship with Col, and I never thought twice before speaking my mind and neither did he. But in that moment, I found difficulties in forming just a short sentence. However, I knew that I had to at least try because I still wanted him to be a part of my life.
"Hey, aren't you going to talk to me?" I stated still staring out of the window.
"About what? About your marriage life?" He chuckled uncomfortably.
"No, but at least yell, scream at me, I don't know, just do something" I felt rage boil in my veins as I couldn't handle the stupid situation I put myself into.
"Look, I have nothing to say right now" He snapped at me, throwing his hands in the air.
"Seriously?" I found nothing else to say since I was more hurt than mad at him for losing words.
He didn't even steer his gaze from the steering wheel, he just inhaled a deep breathe and continued driving as if my words were pointless. Therefore, I just put my head on the window's glass and just stared blankly at nowhere, I was just not in the mood to fight back.
I didn't even bother myself to give him directions since he followed his car's GPS and didn't throw a word toward me until we arrived to the apartment after almost thirty minutes. He turned off the engine, climbed out of the car, ran to my side and opened the car's door.
"Thanks" I mumbled, tugging on my backpack with me.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" He stood in front of me, closer to my liking.
"Sure"
"Do you really love Zack?" He questioned quietly, his eyes held something I couldn't define in them.
"I..." I seriously lost connection with my words because I literally found nothing to say.
"Just as I thought, then why did you marry him? You were forced to, weren't you? " He kept getting closer until he was inches away.
"No, I wasn't, you know that no one would ever oblige me to do something I didn't want" I found myself yelling at him, without even meaning to
"Then for god's sake, why?" He shouted at me, which made me flinch a little bit as tears started forming in my eyes even though I tried my best to keep my composure.
"Because I found him when you were afraid to make your first move" I gathered my strength and faced him "You were a coward, Col"
"I was afraid of losing you" He spoke calmly this time "I didn't want to ruin our friendship if things went wrong"
"Now I'll have to live with 'what if'" A tear escaped my eyes "And now, there's nothing to do"
"What are you talking about?" He paused for a second, as if he was having a hard time to think "You don't love him... Don't expect me to just give up so easily"
"I wish you did that before, I pushed away every boy who approached me and you couldn't read the signs. So now, I just want to forget it all and have a normal life with my husband" I pushed him away to think properly because he was pressing on my nerves.
"Your husband?" He chuckled hysterically "Do I have to remind you that you hate him? You belong with me baby" He put his hands on my shoulders.
"Stop saying that!" I yelled at him because he took me for granted, I wasn't something he could take easily, and it hurt me that he even thought of me that way "Look, I can't tell what my feelings are and if I still like you or not, but what I know is that I will stay with Zack even if my heart beats for you"
With that, I headed away without paying attention to what he was saying behind my back, I couldn't handle that situation anymore so I had to walk away. Besides, it was getting late so I had to get some rest since I was drained and tired.
The apartment was quiet and the lights were off so I turned them on and went directly to Zack's room to check if he was there but he was nowhere to be found. Therefore, I took a hot shower, wore my comfy PJ and slept right away after leaving a note for Zack on his door because I knew that I couldn't hide the crack of my voice as I was on the verge of tears and I didn't want to talk to him in that state.
"I slept early, goodnight, sweet dreams xoxo"
/*Please, don't forget to vote, thank you*/