(The next day)
"Wait, you and Carter kissed?" Maddie asked.
"Yeah, and I totally regret it. Now Noah probably hates me," I sighed.
"Emma, I mean I wouldn't blame him... You can't just go around kissing two guys at once."
I glared at her and crossed my arms.
"Aren't you supposed to be telling me that everything will be okay?" I asked, annoyed. I shouldn't have been annoyed, though, because she was right.
"And everything will be okay. You just need to talk with Carter and Noah."
She sat down at the foot of her bed right next to me.
"So, do you totally regret kissing Carter or..."
"I don't know," I shrugged. "In the moment it felt so right. I realized how much I missed him. I guess he was the first guy I had a sincere crush on, and I'll probably always remember him. But since that night, I've also realized how much he hurt me."
"Yeah, and that's normal. I mean, everyone remembers their first love, first crush, first kiss, and first heartbreak. But you can't let the people who hurt you most come in and out of your life as they please. You need to stick up for yourself sometimes and shut them out. I know you'll always care about Carter, but I think you need to move on. Noah seems like he really likes you so you should try to work it out with him."
I leaned my head onto her shoulder. "You're right."
Maddie giggled and said, "I'm always right. Now, you should go over to the mall and catch Noah right after his shift and talk."
"Okay," I stood up and walked towards the door. "Thanks Maddie."
She smiled. "No problem."
I trotted to my house and saw my dad unloading the car with groceries.
"Hi, Daddy."
"Hey, Kitten!"
"Can I take the car over to the mall?"
"What for?"
"I just need to talk to someone."
He tossed the keys over to me and grinned.
"Noooahhh?" He oohed.
"Dad, stop," I blushed.
He ruffled my hair and closed the tailgate. "Be careful."
"Always am," I assured.
He hauled the bags into the house and the door slammed behind him.
I climbed into the driver's seat and the ignition roared to life.
The drive to the mall went by quickly. I planned what I was going to say to Noah in my mind.
I entered the mall and made my way towards Starbucks. As I rounded the last corner, I saw him. He was so beautfiul. My heart skipped a beat and my breathing became reckless. He was untieing the green apron that was the staff atire. I wobbled closer to him. He saw me out of the corner of his eye and stiffened. He folded the apron and set it on the table next to him. I was getting closer to him. I could now see his deep blue eyes and the bulge of his biceps. I could smell his cologne. I could see his hair half messy, and half combed. Before I knew it, I was standing right in front of him. And he wasn't running away. He wasn't telling me he didn't want to see me. He just stood there looking at me.
"Hi," I finally choked.
"Hey," He clenched his jaw. So hot.
"I just wanted to say," I started. "That I am truly sorry. I don't know why I kissed Carter, it was a mistake and I really-" I was talking so fast I couldn't even understand myself. "Want you to know that I really like you and I totally understand if you don't feel the same way, because I know I really messed up and-"
And then he grabbed my head and kissed me. He pulled me closer to his face and placed one hand behind my neck. With the other hand, he pet my hair. I put my arms around his neck and ran my fingers through his incredibly soft hair. Fireworks exploded in my heart and I smiled. And so did Noah. He pulled his lips away from my lips and set his forehead on mine.
"I forgive you," He whispered.
"How can I make it up to you?" I asked.
"Take me to dinner?" He asked.
"My pleasure." I smiled.
His face was still centimeters away from mine. He dropped his hand to mine and intertwined my fingers with his.
"Come on," He said, taking a step away from me.
He led me out of the mall and into the parking lot.
"Where do you want to go?" I asked.
"My house," He said.
"Uh, okay. I thought you wanted me to take you to dinner."
"No, just you having dinner with me is good enough," He smiled.
"Okay, I'll follow you home." I let go of his hand and turned around. Noah grabbed my arm and spun me into him, planting a kiss on my lips.
"Okay." He said.
"Okay," I replied.
"Okay," he echoed.
"Okay," I whispered.
Noah clenched his jaw again and turned towards his car, and me towards mine.
