Since Forever

Chapter 30

Archie's POV

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" I run up to Freddie and throw my arms around him.

He stares at me for a long moment before raising a questioning eyebrow. "Um, for what?"

"For telling Zac!"

"Well you obviously weren't going to do it," he mutters, smiling.

"I know you said you wouldn't but I'm really glad you changed your mind. Thank you for reconsidering," I blabber. "I don't know if we would be where we are right now without you. It's really thanks to you that we—"

Freddie rubs the back of his neck. "Please stop saying thank you. Seriously."

I frown at him in confusion. Why doesn't he want to be thanked?

"I didn't tell him on purpose. He said he knew something was going on and wanted to know what it was and I caved. I didn't seek him out."

I laugh. "It doesn't matter why he found out, it just matters that he knows and I didn't have to tell him."

He smiles. "Well, I'm glad I could help."

"You did. You really did." I hug him again, tighter this time. He deserves it. I owe him a lot.

I haven't spoken to Zac since we kissed. I am hoping against hope that he isn't having second thoughts. I mean, it's a little late for those now...

Maybe he's avoiding me because I'm a bad kisser. Oh my God, I hope I'm not a bad kisser. Although I guess anyone would seem like a bad kisser in comparison to Zac. He's an amazing kisser. Not that I have any point of reference, but there is no doubt in my mind that of all the kissers in the world, he is in the top 10.

I'm down by the lake now. I don't know why I keep coming here. It's not exactly a happy place for me anymore. And I still don't really know what's going on. If Zac kissed Alice and it meant something, why did he kiss me? And if Zac kissed Alice and it meant nothing, then what does that say about our kiss? 

My pacing is stopped short when someone grabs my shoulder. I turn around to see Zac grinning at me. My heart slows and my face relaxes. Just seeing him makes me feel better.

"Hey," he says gently, still grinning.

"Hi," I reply breathlessly. 

He seems to realise his hand is still on my shoulder and drops it in favour of the back of his neck. "So, um...what's up?"

"Not much." I shrug. "I kissed someone and I don't know if he's going to call me back."

Zac snorts and nudges me slightly. "I'm sure he'll call."

"Yeah?"

He stares at me intently and a tingle travels across my skin. That look is so...hot. So so hot. He licks his lips and I internally panic. As much as I want him to kiss me, I want to talk about this with him first; what are we? But of course my body doesn't know that. My heart is racing, my palms are sweating, and for the first time since I realised I liked Zac, my pants are becoming tight.

Zac blinks and clears his throat, stopping his intent staring. "Can I talk to you?"

I force a smile. "What do you think this is?"

"Pre-talking?"

"Sure. Maybe."

 He smiles in amusement. Then he reaches right out and takes my hand. Just like that. One second we're not holding hands, the next second we are. My mouth hangs open and I stare at our hands, not paying any attention to where we're going.