Loved You First (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 21: Home

Paris' POV.

We finally arrived at Shane's house and after a little pep talk, he finally budged and went out of the car. All of us except Shane told our parents that we're all going away for a little vacation so we were all good. Shane, however, basically ran away from his home without ever communicating with his parents or even reassuring them he was okay.

We walked inside the house and we heard the relieved cries of his mother. His mom was wearing a blue dress, her hair tied back showing her bony cheeks and arched eyebrows. She was wearing a pearl necklace and her make-up was done professionally. "Oh, Shane, finally you're home. Where have you been? Why didn't you call?"

And as fast as her motherly instincts came, they were gone in an instant replaced by the mother we're all acquainted with: the all-business mother. "You missed a blind date again. That was the executive's daughter. She's maybe three years younger than you, but we can make it work."

"Oh son, you're here. Finally." Announced his father as he joined us in the living room, buttoning his suit. "You could come to the office right now and apologize. After changing what you're wearing, of course."

Shane sighed and looked at his parents who were both wearing formal attires and checking at their watches as if they're itching to leave.

"Guys, could you leave us for a moment?" He turned to us and we nodded in agreement. We understood that now was the moment that he was going to have a heart to heart talk with his parents.

Margot and Charlie was headed to the kitchen and I saw Ian follow them both. I went with Jade and we both headed outside. There was a porch swing there and we sat down.

"So what happened?" She asked, placing one leg on the bench and twisting to the side to look at me.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I know you were thinking about something because you were quiet the whole ride here and just looking out the window. One of your bra strap is also showing which means you weren't paying attention to anything and in deep thought. And you weren't telling me once we got into the van which means either you don't want others to hear or you're mad at me." She shrugged as if her observations were nothing. I'm actually quite afraid of how much my best friend knows about me but at the same time I was in awe.

"And I know you aren't mad at me so what happened?" she finished.

"Well," I cleared my throat and fixed my bra strap since she pointed it out and I'm now embarrassed. "Ian and I kissed."

"No way." she gasped. "That's awesome."

I sighed.

"It's not?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows. "Was he not a good kisser?"

I smiled. "Oh he was, trust me." Then my smile vanished once again. "It's just - I think he regretted it."

"Well, did you brush your teeth?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

I nodded slowly.

"Did you kiss back?" she asked again.

"Of course."

"Were you a bad kisser?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah." I scoffed and realized it was a bit too arrogant. "I mean, I don't know. How would I know? I guess?"

Then horror dawned on me and I started freaking out. "Oh my God. What if I was? I'm so horrible."

Jade started laughing and started patting my back.

"I'm serious, Jade. How do I know? What if I am a bad kisser?" I buried my face in my hands.

Just then, the front door opened and Ian walked out. Fuck, did he hear that? Jade instantly sprang up from her seat.

"Oh I need to go back inside. Uh I forgot to do something. Somewhere. Inside. I'll leave you two. Bye." She grinned and walked past Ian to open the door. She gave me a thumbs up and went back inside the house.

Oh great.

Ian sat at the place where she sat a while ago beside me. We spent a few minutes in awkward silence and I was trying my best not to look at him.

"You weren't." He started.

"I - what?"

"You weren't a bad kisser." He smiled, looking at me. Amusement was drawn across his face and shook his head. "You were good. Great, actually. Fantastic. Just amaz - "

I held his hand to stop his rambling and laughed. "I get it. Thanks."

He looked at my hand on top of his and I quickly removed it. I looked away but this time, he was the one who held onto mine.

"Is a zebra a white horse with black stripes or a black horse with white stripes?" he asked out of the blue.

I shook my head at him questioningly. "We already had this conversation."

"Yeah. But last time I didn't let you win." He smiled as if reliving the memory. "Now I realized I didn't care. If you want it to be a white horse with black stripes then let it be. I'm not saying I'm backing down but I'll let you have that. I'll let you win."

I tilted my head to the side, still not understanding where he was going with this.

"What I'm saying is, whatever argument we have or will have, I'll let you win it if it means I get to keep you. And now all I'm asking is that you hear me out." he sighed. "I kissed you a while ago and I was a jerk by ignoring you afterwards. I don't want that to be the end of our friendship or stop it from being something more."

"Did you regret it?" I whispered.

"I'm sorry." He said, looking down on our fingers. "I didn't regret doing it. I just - I got scared. I liked you since you first showed up in class in seventh grade. Then you got this crush on my best friend and then when you said you didn't anymore, I - well I thought I could give it a chance."

He started playing with our fingers and continued. "But when I realized what I was doing, I was afraid you'll reject me. I masked my fear and anxiety with being an asshole. And I'm sorry. I'd do anything to make it up to you."

I smiled, feeling tears pooling at my eyes. That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. "Even if I asked you to be ran over by a herd of zebras?" I asked jokingly, trying to light up the mood. It was my way of telling him that I forgave him.

Ian looked at me, horrified and I laughed. When I sobered up, I turned serious once again and looked at him in the eyes.

"Would you do it again?" I asked.

"Do what again?"

"Kiss me."

He grinned and leaned in towards me. "Gladly."

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A/N:

IT'S NOT OVER YET. maybe like two more chapters then i'll wrap it up :)

so this is kind of a short chapter but sweet in my opinion... tell me what you think by commenting !!

oh and check out my new story black and white :) it's an au wherein everyone sees the world as black and white until they see their soulmates.. check it out by going to my profile :)

vote, comment and share my loves!

xx

kat