Chapter Twenty-Seven

The end of the day came sooner than I anticipated, and oddly after Guidance class, I was in a completely better mood.

I didn't talk to Colton, but I felt lighter-as if I could breathe again whenever my mind went to him. I was sceptical about whether I should tell Fabian or not. I don't think he would oppose us being friends again, but I know he wouldn't necessarily be comfortable with it either. To be fair, any boy wouldn't be okay with their girlfriend being friends with someone who 'has feelings' for her. Yet, I knew he wouldn't try to tell me not to be friends with him, simply for my sake.

I don't think Colton and I could ever go back to how we were, but the thought of seeing him and talking to him again instead of walking past him as if we were strangers didn't sound too bad.

Speaking of both boys, I had to tell Shanae everything at lunch, so I barely got any time to actually eat. Every time I picked up my sandwich, another question was thrown in my face. So, of course, I was starving.

Nonetheless, it wasn't all that bad because I planned to stop by McDonald's on my way home. I even ensured that I ditched Shanae and Ariana to avoid further tormenting questions when school ended two minutes ago. I was lucky to make it in the parking lot safely as my tummy made another restless growl, but I was frozen in my spot when I noticed that the place where my car was parked today was empty.

At first, I was stunned into a state of no thinking, wondering or moving. I just stared at the empty parking space, as if the car would appear out of thin air like the invisible boatmobile from SpongeBob. Yet, nothing happened.

First, it was panic. My brain finally registered, and I was worried that I lost my mind. Did I even drive to school today? Or did my mind make me believe that I did? Suddenly, all the possibilities to explain this impossible situation came rushing like a flood in my head. Was anything that happened today even real?

Who knows? Maybe I have been asleep since Saturday night, and I'm waiting for my alarm to tell me that it's finally Sunday morning.

But nope. As a random kid bumped past me, I knew that this was indeed real.

And then, I lost it.

"Where the hell is my car!" I screamed, getting the attention of some of the kids around me, and they looked at me as if I was indeed a crazy person.

I started hyperventilating, and I felt as my head started spinning, just like the night at Fabian's house. The last thing I wanted was to faint in the middle of the parking lot. One, because the embarrassment was far too much for me. And two, I didn't believe any of these kids would've actually helped me.

I'd just be knee-deep in asphalt until a loser chemistry teacher who parks in the kids' parking lot finds me at nightfall, and I wake up in the hospital by his crooked tooth, concerned smile. And though I knew that there was no such teacher at this school, I entertained the thought simply because it helped me stay within the conscious world.

"It's okay, Paris," I mumbled to myself. "Your car has a GPS. You'll get it back. Just breathe and-" I paused abruptly when something-or someone, rather, very familiar pulled up in my parking space.

He looked devilishly handsome in his Hamilton High jacket, revving his bike so loud and melodic that he caught the attention of almost every girl in the area. I didn't even stop to glare at their lustful stares because mine was fixed on my new boyfriend as he whipped the helmet from his head and ruffled his messy hair with his long fingers.

The entire female population swooned, including me, as he smiled at me both in amusement and guilt. It was then that I realised that this was all him. How did he even manage to get my car?

With long, relaxed strides, he closed the space between us. I knew that he was conscious about the high rate of female gazes following him, yet he managed to keep eye contact with me all the way. Once he was directly in front of me, he wasted no time in dipping his head down to kiss me, and I gladly returned it.

My lips twitched at the numerous curse words that erupted around us, and I knew that half the girls would hate me from now on. But I couldn't care less. Fabian was mine and only mine.

Two distinct squeals a few feet away told me that my two friends had caught up with me, but unlike everyone else, they were enjoying the show.

After a while, I felt a bit self-conscious, so I gently pushed away as I gazed up at him through my lashes, no longer panicking about my car.

"What is this?" I asked as he brushed my cheek with his thumb.

His crooked smile never fell as he spoke. "This is me picking up my girlfriend from school. Didn't I do it right?" I could hear the teasing in his voice, so I playfully rolled my eyes at him.

"If your definition of normal is kidnapping my car, being incredibly sexy and practising PDA, then of course." I chuckled a little as I ended, but his eyebrows were now crinkled in confusion, which only got me alert.

"I didn't kidnap your car," he said as he looked around. "I thought you took the bus."

My eyes must've resembled bulbs in that minute as my panic began to rise again, but his beautiful yet annoying laugh booming through the lot eased my worries instantly again.

"You should've seen your face," he laughed.

"That isn't funny, Fabian." I hit his chest stubbornly as he continued laughing at me. I actually forgot how annoying he really was. "But where's my car, though?"

His laughter died down a bit as he swung his arm around my shoulder. "I borrowed your extra keys from your little sister, and I bugged Chad so he would drop it off at your house for me. Because you and I, Darling, are going out."

As much as I loved the idea of hanging out with him, I had to protest. "Can't we go home and change first? I mean, I don't really like going out in my uniform. Plus, it's a school night."

"Which is why we leave now," he insisted. He doesn't take no as an answer. "Come on, Paris. I've always wanted to do this. And I can finally do it with you."

I gave him a stern look as he flashed me puppy eyes and the cutest pout I have ever seen. I could literally hear the girls around me falling to the ground. Since I wanted to get him away before someone kidnapped him, I gave in.

"Fine. But if I get grounded, that's two weeks of not seeing me," I warned, but his smile only grew impossibly wider.

"Don't worry, Skates. If you get grounded, I'll climb through your window every night just to see you." He kissed the tip of my nose before he dragged me to his bike and stuffed the helmet on my head.

"Where's yours?" I asked in concern. As much as I sort of got used to his bike, I still believed it was a death machine, and I didn't like that he was riding without a helmet.

"I left it. But don't worry. I'll be fine."

Knowing I couldn't argue with him, I simply nodded and climbed on as he roared the machine to life again, finally finishing off the girls in the parking lot. I pitied them.

Shanae and Ariana waved at me eagerly, already telling me silently that I wouldn't have lunch tomorrow either.

"Where are we going?" I shouted over the loud engine so that Fabian could hear me.

"We're going on a road trip," he replied. "But don't worry. I'll get you home back in time to do your homework." I rolled my eyes as he said that. He was teasing me yet again.

"Okay, but can we stop to grab food first? I'm starving."

"Of course, babe," he said as he took off. The nickname did wonders to my stomach.

As always, I buried my face and held onto him for dear life as we drove. He would chuckle whenever we went around a corner, and I would tighten my grip on him. He found it so amusing to see me scared, but I also think he likes it when I hold onto him like that.

The bike began to slow, and I realised that we were pulling up to McDonald's. I narrowed my eyes as I shuffled from the motorcycle.

"How did you know that I wanted McDonald's?" I asked as he unstrapped the helmet from my head as if I was a baby.

"You always want McDonald's."

"Good point," I mumbled.

It was already 2:45 in the afternoon. I didn't know where this 'road trip' would take us, but I was too hungry to question him.

I filled up on a burger and a McFlurry, and Fabian got the same, which was quite unusual considering he likes to 'eat healthily' and shit.

Either way, we didn't stay long since Fabian seemed to have been in a rush. I didn't mind, though. I got excited after seeing his eagerness.

On our way out, I texted Cynthia to tell her that I would be home late, so she should cover for me. Luckily, being the reckless kid, Cynthia knew how to get away with lying, hence why she did all of my lies too.

"So, where are we going?" I finally asked, seeing that the question was on my mind since he mentioned a road trip.

He offered me a lopsided grin as he handed me the helmet again. "A lot of places, but our destination is... drumroll, please."

I rolled my eyes at his baboonery but still offered a sloppy drumroll on the bike seat.

"Cardiff!"

"Cardiff!" I mimicked, this time not as enthusiastic as he did. "That's like three hours away!" I had never been there, and the thought was enticing. But if Cynthia doesn't pull this off, I'm royally screwed.

"Come on, babe. I really want to do this." He wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned me against his motorcycle. He knew what his proximity did to me, and he took advantage of it. I wasn't going to say no, but the goody-two-shoes in me had to protest a bit.

"If you get me kicked out of my house, I'm sleeping with you," I said as I pointed a stern finger at him. But at my words, his smile turned into a smirk, and his eyes darkened.

"Oh, I'm not complaining, sweetheart," he growled, and I was a hundred per cent sure that my cheeks resembled Rudolf's nose at that point.

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and dropped my gaze to the centre of our bodies where we were pressed together with no room between us, and suddenly all the memories from Saturday night came back-feelings and all.

"Let's go before you get all hot and bothered," Fabian teased as he pulled away.

"Too late."

"Oh, and Paris?" I could hear the suggestive tone he called me with, so I knew what he was about to say would be something I wouldn't like. Yet, I knew I'd have to.

"Yes?"

"This is a road trip, okay, babe? Not a sleepover. So when I'm driving, I suggest actually looking instead of hiding in my back. You'll love it, trust me."

I didn't answer him simply because I knew he was right. There was no way I could go that far with my face buried in his back. That would ruin the whole purpose of it. Besides, maybe seeing the road on an open motorcycle would be better than being in a car. Just to have the wind blowing through my hair and kissing my cheeks could actually be...nice.

The thought got me excited, so I quickly made up my mind before my common sense and logic could talk me out of it.

I did not think when I grabbed the helmet from my head and handed it to Fabian. For some reason, the 'wind in my hair' fantasy didn't sound too bad at all.

Fabian eyed me sceptically over his shoulder as I handed the helmet to him. He seemed both impressed and surprised, with a little bit of concern too.

"Are you sure?" he asked as he turned even more to face me.

I nodded eagerly before I could overthink it and change my mind. "Yes. When we just started hanging out, you told me that you'd help me live a little. So this is me doing it."

He was silent for a while as he watched me as if contemplating my safety over this new boldness in me.

"Okay," he finally said with a light chuckle. "Hold on tight." He rested the helmet in front of him as I wrapped my arms around him again, this time keeping my face out in the open.

And then, we were off.

At first, I was a bit scared, seeing how vulnerable we both were to those huge cars and trucks that could crush us if anything should go wrong. But then, I started to loosen up, and it was by far the best drive I've ever been on.

Fabian held up to his end of the promise by not driving too recklessly, and so I enjoyed it even more. My smile never fell as we swerved through vehicles. We went through highways, over bridges, even a few shortcuts, and it was the most exhilarating thing I'd ever done.

Our first stop was in a beautiful town called Wantage. It was an apparent historic town that held features that told the most beautiful stories. We were there for only five minutes, yet I felt like I didn't want to leave. It was so peaceful there, and Fabian parked at a beautiful stream that ran at the side of a park. We took a couple pictures and videos there, and I only hoped that my Physics teacher didn't follow me on Instagram because my excuse for not doing the homework wouldn't entail a 'fabulous road trip with my boyfriend'.

Since we had a way to go, we didn't spend more than five minutes at a place. It sucked, yet it was the best since I was eager to go to the next.

After our first stop, we stopped at a couple more places, including Chippenham, a wonderful market town in northwest Wiltshire, Kensington Meadows, and my personal favourite, the bridge at Pilning and Severn Beach. I was utterly in love, and though Fabian wasn't supposed to stop on the bridge, I made him.

I climbed on the rails, and Fabian never missed a video as I laughed and swung like Miley on a wrecking ball. Once he finally got me on the motorcycle again, we completed our journey by the time it was sunset.

Alas, we were in the magnificent town of Cardiff, and once we arrived, I knew exactly why Fabian wanted to come here so badly. I wasn't in the least bit exhausted.

The city seemed to have been surrounded by water, and especially with the sunset dancing on the river, it was the most magnificent thing I'd seen all evening. I felt so peaceful as I rested my cheek against Fabian's back as he slowly cruised through the streets.

People were here and about, yet it didn't seem busy. I loved how the boats sat obediently, only rocking back and forth from the light wave that rustled beneath them.

I wasn't the biggest fan of this trip at first, but I was elated that I did it with the boy I love. Now I know for sure that I won't get a bite of lunch tomorrow because my friends won't give me a break when they view my Instagram story.

We rode around the city for quite a while, just taking in the beauty of it all. Soon, when the night had fallen, Fabian finally turned around, but I noticed he wasn't going in the direction of home. I knew better than to question him, so I simply watched keenly as he swerved around cars and buildings.

The moon was in its entirety tonight, and my phone was already dead from all the pictures and videos I took. I held on tighter to Fabian when he pulled onto a scary-looking road, somewhat like a turn from a horror movie.

He chuckled when he felt how tighter I held onto him. "Relax, Paris. We're fine, I promise."

Oddly his words assured me more than they should've. He didn't know if a serial killer was around the corner, but one word from him and I believed that there wasn't.

Soon enough, we were mounting a small hill, and in the vivid moonlight illuminated a structure on the top of the hill.

A castle?

Since we were in Cardiff, we passed a few, but I never suspected that he'd actually take me to one.

"I thought you said you have never come here before," I pointed out as he pulled up closer to the building.

"No. I said I've always wanted to. I came here when I was pretty young with my parents. I've always wanted to come back. But I didn't, simply because I had no motive to."

His words made me blush. "Oh? And I was the motive?" He parked the motorcycle as we both wobbled off, and I was lucky that the moon wasn't bright enough to show my tinted cheeks.

"Of course," he said without hesitation. "I knew I wouldn't regret it, and I don't."

"I don't either, even though you will put me in a lot of trouble." I didn't care anymore. I had a lot of fun, and that was enough to face any punishment later.

He lifted his hand to caress my cheek, a habit of his that I've gotten used to. His eyes seemed brighter in the night, and his plump lips held a small simper that had my heart doing backflips. I don't ever think I could get used to this.

"This city is known to have the most castles in the world. So where else to take my princess than the city of castles itself?" He lifted an imaginary crown and rested it on my head, and I couldn't help but beam at him as I playfully tilted my head to show how 'heavy' it was.

He chuckled as he 'adjusted' it, and I immediately sprung into his arms and wrapped my arms around his torso as my laughter died down. I no longer cared if my imaginary crown fell. I just wanted to be in his arms. How is it that one specimen of a human being could do such wonders to my heart?

Fabian has been so misjudged all his life because of his bad-boyish character. Then, he was treated so horribly for what happened to that girl. I honestly believe that barely anyone has ever gotten to know him-the real him. I was just happy that I got the chance.

"I love you," I mumbled in his chest, and his grip on me tightened as he placed a lingering kiss on my forehead.

"I love you too." He pushed me back slightly to look into my eyes, and he pushed my hair away from my face as he smiled down at me. "Wanna go inside?"

My eyes widened at this. "Are you serious?"

"Do I ever joke?" he asked, and I gave him a deadpan look. "Okay fine, but this time I mean it."

"Won't-we... won't-we get in trouble?" I asked, even though the thrill enticed me just a little bit.

"We already are in trouble. Might as well go all the way, right?" His smirk was back, and he laced his fingers in mine as he led me through the dark, abandoned castle, with our only source of light being the full moon outside.

I giggled foolishly as we climbed the winding stairs, and soon enough, we were on the top. To say it was worth it would be an understatement. It was more than worth it. It was perfect.

We could see the view of most of the city and its beautiful lights, especially the moon sitting in the centre of it all, giving the moment one of a fairy-tale and nothing like real life. But then again, I've come to realise that with Fabian, I might just need to get used to fairy-tale surprises.

I never pulled my hands from his as I rested my head on his shoulder, just admiring the view of it all. We barely spoke while we were up there, but I didn't mind. It was perfect. Every part of it.

It was almost nine when we finally left, and the drive home was just as thrilling as earlier. Fabian wanted to take me to dinner since we both were hungry again, but I didn't want to take the risk any further. It was already minutes after eleven when we got back home, so I decided to take my chances with dinner at home or even a late-night snack.

Luckily, Cynthia covered for me perfectly, saying I was on my period and refused to leave my room. Both my parents knew how I was when it was my time of the month, so most likely, they didn't even come to check on me. Especially my dad. Cynthia even brought my dinner up to my room. I owed her one.

After successfully climbing through my window, I discarded my uniform and plugged in my phone. Cynthia stood at my door with a stupid smirk on her face, as if accepting me into the 'rebel kid club'. She didn't press for answers, which is also why I love her as a sister, and by the time it was 11:30, I was all ready for bed.

Something in my mind was nudging me to look out my bedroom window after turning my lights off. And of course, on the opposite side of the road was my boyfriend himself, leaning against his bike under the streetlight, as if waiting for me to completely be okay before he left.

I couldn't believe this guy, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me feel... good.

It was in my Winx Club Pyjamas at 11:30 in the night that I waved the love of my life goodbye, and he finally rode off into the night. I went to bed with a stupid smile on my face, of course, and when my phone finally rebooted, the very first thing I heard was a loud 'ping', and I already knew who it was from.

Sitting there was a simple yet magisterial message that read: 'Goodnight, Princess', with a red heart and a motorcycle emoji beside a road emoji.

And just like that, my smile grew wider as I fell down in my bed with the sheets over my head.

Yep. I am entirely and undeniably whipped.