The Day That I Met You

Chapter 9

Olivia

I sighed, leaning against my apartment door, not wanting to move. I had just gotten home from meeting with my brother, and though he made me feel better, I still couldn’t help but feel guilt and confusion about this entire situation. I knew I needed to give Zack some space and time to process everything, but all I wanted to do was pick up the phone and call him to see if he was OK. Regardless of everything, I really cared about him. He was one of the best friends I had ever had.

Looking back, I realize now that a lot of what Zack did for me in the past had to be because of his feelings for me. I couldn't believe how oblivious I had been. Was I just so blind and obsessive over Brian that I couldn’t see that a wonderful guy was right before me? Not only did I feel guilty about rejecting him in general, I felt horrible thinking about his reaction to my confessions about Brian, and another part of me felt guilty for not seeing Zack’s true affections earlier, too. I couldn’t help but think about all of the “what if’s” of this situation. What if I had noticed Zack’s true feelings earlier on, would I be with him now? What if I had been totally sober when he kissed me, or what if he had had better timing? What if I hadn’t made a move on Brian the same night?

And Zack, well, was so damn cute. I couldn’t help but get butterflies thinking about our kiss. Part of my felt like an idiot for rejecting him because he was attractive, sweet, funny, and caring. But then there was Brian.

Not knowing how Brian felt about this made it much more confusion. I honestly assumed that he wasn’t really interested in me since he left me hanging, but at the same time, it is a slightly awkward situation. Maybe he just didn't want to deal with it; he’s not a very confrontational guy, so I could see that. But that almost meant I may never know how he really feels. When it came to Brian, I also felt guilt because of Michelle. Though I wasn’t necessarily fond of her, she would be so upset if she knew we slept together. Their relationship was odd to say the least, but I was worried it would ruin my friendship with her and even more so her sister.

I sighed again, pushing myself off of the door. I headed to my room, figuring I would change into PJs, veg out the rest of the day, watch crappy TV and eat ice cream. I wasn’t ready to talk to Brian, yet. Part of me wanted him to make the move and show me how he really felt. And if I didn’t hear from him soon, I wasn’t sure if talking to him would even matter. With every passing moment, I was becoming more and more convinced that it would just be a one night stand and nothing more.

I fell on my bed, groaning. I wanted more with Brian, of course, but I couldn’t force it. If I was just a good time for him, so be it. I would not allow myself to feel sorry for myself forever because a guy didn’t return my feelings. But that was easier said than done. I’ve been told that I’m tough, but being rejected by your long time crush definitely wasn’t easy. That thought made me feel guilty about Zack again.

If this whole thing is Brian didn’t work out, maybe I could try being with Zack. I liked the idea of being with him, honestly. He was cute, sweet, kind, made me laugh, and really cared about me. And that kiss was so tender and amazing, I could only imagine how it would be if I was sober. But I didn’t want to be with Zack just as a second choice. And I know Zack wouldn’t be with me if that was the case; he has too much self respect for that. I felt like a bitch for even considering that as an option.

I had two amazing moments with two amazing guys. The kiss with Zack was sweet, soft, wonderful, but totally surprising. Again I wondered what if I had been more prepared, more willing for it to happen? And then there was my night with Brian, which is everything I had ever dreamed of. His body was perfect, his kisses full of passion, and he made my body shake. But, the two moments felt so different. Zack’s kiss was timid, but clearly full of love and tenderness. He showed me passion, but was also reserved with not knowing what I wanted. Brian, on the other had, was full of lust, desire, and outright passion. It was hard to compare the two, not knowing the answers to my what if’s, but I definitely felt something for both guys.

When I talked to Zack earlier, I rejected him because I felt more confident about my decision to be with Brian or no one at all. But as time passes and I don’t hear from him, I keep wondering if I was being an idiot. But, again, I felt like a bitch because I didn’t want to choose Zack as a second option. Maybe I was better off alone.

Just as I was thinking this, I heard a knock at my front door. Confused, I rose from my bed, not knowing who it would be. I felt nervous, thinking it may be Brian, but part of my doubted it, knowing that he would probably be avoiding me still. I quickly looked at myself in my mirror and fixed my hair, then headed to answer the door.

I didn’t look through the peephole because I was too nervous, so I just opened the door, acting as confident as possible. I was surprised to see Zack in front of me, looking extremely anxious.

“Zack? I didn’t think I’d see you again in awhile,” I admitted without thinking. I probably should have sounded more grateful to see him, but I was confused.

“Will you come with me? I have something to show you,” he said, finally looking me in the eye.

“Of course, hold on a second,” I said. I grabbed my eyes and purse and put my shoes back on and immediately followed him out the door, not really caring where we were going. I was just glad to see him here, knowing that he wasn’t as mad at me as I thought. Unless I had the wrong idea of why he was here.

He didn’t say anything else but led me to his car, unlocking it for us to get in. I was getting nervous now; usually he is cheerful around me and excited to see me, but now he was off, not himself.

“Zack, what’s going on?” I asked as I sat down in the car.

He sighed and said, “Just trust me for a moment, OK? It’s a surprise.”

“Alright,” I said nervously. He didn’t look angry, but he definitely seemed nervous. What was he up to?

The car ride to our mystery location was quiet, but he had on music, which made me smile because it was one of my favorite Elvis albums. I knew Zacky put it on just for me; he didn’t really care for it that much but knew I loved it. He always had my favorite music playing when he drove me around, which I always found to be incredibly sweet. Being sweet was typical of Zack, who was always trying to make me happy.

He pulled into the parking lot of my favorite beach in the area. It was summer, so I expected the beach to be pretty crowded, but because of all of the clouds in the sky, there wasn’t too many people around. It was actually a cooler day than usual, which I loved; it was nice to take a break from the heat.

Zack opened my car door before I had the chance and said, “Come with me.”

He had his hand held out to me and I took it without a thought. Feeling my hand it his was nice and I felt myself blushing. What was going on here?

Zack led me to the beach and an area where there was a blanket and picnic set up. I couldn’t help but smile and giggle a bit. The gesture was so incredibly sweet, especially since he knew I loved this beach and I couldn’t resist a good picnic.

We sat down on the blanket, Zack still nervous and quiet. To make him feel better I sai, “Zacky, this is so incredible. What made you do this?”

“I wanted to apologize for how I acted earlier today,” he said. “And what better way to do that then with a picnic of your favorite foods?”

He opened up the cooler and proved it; all of my favorites were packed inside for us to eat. He loosened up after I dived into the cooler, thanking him for his kindness. It was so nice to just sit with my friend, relax, and eat. It felt like all of our problems didn’t exist, that all of my guilt and confusion was being washed away by the ocean waves. We talked about everything except the drama between us, laughed our butts off, and I couldn’t keep the smile off of my face. I didn’t really know what Zack expected after this, but I was so happy that he wanted to be around me, to at least be my friend.

Zack and I were so wrapped up in each other and our conversation that he didn’t notice the first rumble of thunder. It wasn’t until the rain started to fall that we got up to leave the beach, scrambling to pick up our stuff from the wet sand. The entire time we laughed and laughed and finally we ran to the car, giggling the entire way. After throwing our stuff in the trunk, I went to go back into the car, but Zack grabbed my arm, making me stop.

“Zack?” I said, looking into his eyes. They were piercing green, even in the storm.

He stepped closer to me then, moving the hand that was around my arm to my cheek. He put his other arm around me and I felt myself melt under his touch.I moved closer to him, pressing my body against his. I couldn’t help myself. He looked so gorgeous with the rain coming down and I felt so loved in his arms. I closed my eyes and let him lean in, closing the gap in between us.

This kiss was so different from our first. Yes, our first kiss was nice and I felt how tender he was, but this was so much more. I was alert and ready for it this time, but I also wanted it so badly. I felt passion this time, a desire from him that I didn’t feel before. He moved his lips against mine so perfectly, entering his tongue into my mouth and making me moan. He pulled me even closing, moving his hand through my hair and I could help but moan again.

When another clap of thunder struck I jumped slightly, forcing myself to pull away from him. He was in a slight daze, not knowing what to do.

“We should go, I’ll take you home,” he said quietly, moving away from me and towards the driver’s seat.

When I got in the care I was smiling, but Zack wasn’t. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t start the car, but turned slightly to look at me. “That kiss was…”

“Amazing,” I interrupted.

He smiled then, “I didn’t know if you would get mad, but I couldn’t help myself. I just knew that the other night didn’t go as I planned and I wanted to make it up to you, show you that I care about you.”

“I know you do, Zack,” I told him, grabbing his hand. “I knew that before, I was just too blind to see in what way. I am sorry for that.”

He smiled at me again, starting the car. “We need to get out of this storm.”

“Yes, let’s go back to my place.”

-0-

Brian

I had finally gotten dressed after talking with Jimmy, knowing I needed to get off my ass and deal with this before I lost my chance. Jimmy told me to be romantic and to talk to her, tell her how I really felt, and so that was what I was going to do.

Problem was that I had no fucking clue how to do that. I figured flowers were probably a good option; what girl doesn’t like flowers? I’d show up at her door with a bouquet and sweep her off her feet with my proclamation of my affection.

Even thinking it made me feel like an idiot. I guess that was the point, though; I needed to show her that I cared, that I wanted to actually be with her, not just fuck her. It was beyond anything I had really done for a girl, but it felt necessary for Liv. She was different than other girls and she was my friend. She deserved the world.

A storm was brewing outside, but I knew I needed to go out soon before it got too dark and I got too chicken shit to follow through with my plan. I looked at myself in the mirror again, making sure I looked as sexy as usual, then walked out the door. Here I come, Olivia, ready or not.

Notes

Oh, boy! More drama to come!

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