It changed for the better. A Zack Merrick Fanfiction.

Chapter 16.

Phewf. SO.. I almost died today, but then I didn't . For Zack, the mere fact that I was still breathig was a reason to celebrate. and so here we are, in his car, driving down to some restaurant in town. He said that he loved the place and that it was special to him.  I was wearing a black skirt and a blouse that I had brought along with me, and of course, my coat. I was trying to change the way I dressed, for Zack though I really don't think it mattered to him. I was still wearing my converse which was just the oddest combination ever but I had nothing else to wear so eh! Plus, Zack told me that the place was pretty homely and I had nothing to worry about. He told me I looked beautiful just as I was but I knew he was lying. I just didn't believe the fact that I could look... nice. Zack on the other hand looked perfect , as usual. He was wearing a plain white shirt which was buttoned up exept for the top most button with skinny beige pants and converse. 

Zack took one hand off the stearing wheel and ran his fingers through his hair. Stop it! I want to do that. Ugh but I couldn't without acting like a total freak. I sat quietly while looking out the window.

"So.. do you remember what happened before we fell in?" he asked me to break the silence. "I.. I sure do." I replied while turning to him. He chuckled. "Yeah.. wouldn't want you to forget that." he said and winked at me.

A few minutes later, we reached this cozy looking Italian bistro called 'Toscano's'. The place was beautiful and as we walked in we were welcomed by warmth and the sent of garlic and oregano.  The bistro had a fire place and there was a really motherly looking lady to welcome us. It was pretty packed but Zack didn't look worried at all. He just winked at me and then smiled at the lady. She took our coats and then called a boy from the kitchen (who frankly, looked like her son). "Aldo! Go ascort this beautiful couple to a table " she said. She gently patted my back and gave me a warm smile. In a matter of minutes, this woman , who was a stranger to me, had shown me more affection than my mother had in my entire existence. I didn't let that get to me. Hell ! I cheated death today and now I'm out with my perfect boyfriend to celebrate the fact that I'm alive. NOTHING can mess this up for me, I thought to myself.

A minute later, A cheery boy (about my age) dressed in black pants and a grey t- shirt ran out of the kitchen, smiling at us. "Follow me, Sir" he told Zack. Zack grabbed my hand and gently squeezed it. He smiled at me and then we followed Aldo into the restaurant until we found the perfect place to sit. It was away from all the hustle bustle of the bistro. A quiet corner. Perfect for us. Aldo left as soon as we reached the table. "You like it?" Zack asked me. "I sure do " I replied and pecked him on his lips. He pulled a chair out for me, like a total gentleman, and then sat down on the chair across me. "Um.. this is.. this is like my first ever official formal date" I told him nervously. This was all too fancy for me. "So?" he asked while chuckling. "So.. I'm a bit .. well, nervous." "Nervous? Whaaaaa? It's only me." he replied and ran his fingers through his soft brown hair.

Soon, Aldo came back to the table with two menu cards. "So Livia, what'll it be?" He asked me. "Um.. I'm cool with anything." I replied. "Well, since this is your first formal date thingy, I'd like you to decide. It is your evening after all" said Zack. The cheery boy looked at me and  grinned. Creep. Nah not really.

I searched through the various inviting dishes on the menu card. As I said before, this was all too fancy for me. "Um.. well a Pepperoni pizza with some garlic bread would do .. and any wine to go with it." I really didn't know all this fancy crap so I told him the easist stuff on the menu. Clearly, the boy knew a lot about food. He gave me a puzzled look and then scurried away.

"So is this seriously your first date date?" Zack asked me with a stupid grin on his face. "Wel.. yeah." I said. I was embarrassed. I felt... well.. lame. "How come? I can't believe a girl like you was single for so long" he said and smiled at me. It was comforting to know that he meant that. "Well, with a fucked up family.. one doesn't get time to think of love. " I said. I could feel my heart sink and my mood change. "Besides, I can't imagine I guy like YOU being single for so long" I said to him quickly to change the mood. "Well, maybe thats because I hadn't met you" he said. "Geez Zack! Could you get any cheesier?" I said and we both laughed. In the meantime, the waiter was here with our food and wine. We ate our meal and discussed all sorts of stuff, but mainly music.