Floating by

Chapter 25: First Kiss

After the new couple left on their first date, the cafeteria was reopened to the rest of the cruise goers and the group of friends, including Zach's moms, decided to have lunch there. Easy conversation flowed across the two joined tables and Kayla felt something she hadn't for a long time. Belonging. She was growing to really care for each person at that table and even if it scared her to bits to be hurt again, she also liked the feeling of being able to trust people again.

After lunch, the group split up to do their own things and Kayla and Zach decided to take a stroll around the main deck.

At some point during their walk, Zach had reached for her hand and she had intertwined them together. They walked in comfortable silence from the cafeteria towards the bow of the ship, going only as far as they were allowed to. They were one of two couples there, an elderly couple looking out at the sea, having their own moment between them.

"So, that was...something?" Zach says when they come to a stop to look out at the vast sea.

"It was sweet. I mean, given their history. You could see it meant a lot to Morgan." Kayla says with a small smile looking over at Zach with a slight tilt of her head.

"Yeah. They deserve to finally be happy together." Zach says with a smile of his own, looking down at Kayla.

There was a pause of comfortable silence as they both watched the elderly couple laugh and embrace each other, before walking away hand in hand.

Still following the couple with her eyes, Kayla breaks the silence as she turns back to face Zach but not look at him.
"You know, Maya said something earlier that got me thinking."

"Yeah? What are you thinking?" Zach asks, looking down at her.

Finally looking up at Zach, Kayla answers,
"Well, I was wondering....would you...will you...hmm. This is harder than I thought." She says scrunching up her nose.

"You can ask me anything Kayla, I promise." Zach says while squeezing the hand that he's still holding, reassuringly.

"Okay." She looks down and takes a deep breath, screws her eyes shut and says, "Will you be my boyfriend?" her eyes still shut tight, afraid of his reaction. She doesn't hear anything for awhile and decides to open an eye and look up to see what kind of reaction he was having.
She sees Zach grinning at her with the happiest look she's ever seen.
"What?" She asks.

"You have to stop beating me to these things. I'll have nothing left to ask." Zach says as he lifts his free hand up to her face to push a strand of hair behind her ear and come to rest on her cheek.

"Well, you asked me out first and I'll let you ask me to prom." Kayla whispers as Zach's face inches closer.

"Yes. My answer is yes." Zach says while looking into her eyes. Then he whispers, "Can I kiss you?"
Kayla can't seem to get any words out so she just nods slightly and they lean in closer and her eyes flutter shut. Their lips softly touch and all Kayla can think about is how soft Zach's lips are, a little chapped but soft. The kiss is just a delicate pressing of lips that lasts a few seconds before Kayla pulls away and looks up at Zach with a slight shocked look on her face.

"Sorry, was that too soon? I just thought..." Zach is silenced by a quick peck on the lips and Kayla's dopey grin.

"No, it was perfect. I'm just happy. I know we've only been on two dates, but you've always been amazing to me. You make me so so happy Zach, it scares me a little." Kayla states as she lets his hand go but wraps her arms around his torso and leans her head on his chest.

"Hey, you make me happy too. I've had the biggest crush on you since our little league days and I will do everything in my power to make sure you never get hurt. I never want to be the source of any of your pain. I need you to know that." Zach assures her as he tightens his grip around her shoulders and rests his cheek on top of her head.