Because He Loves Me

Chapter10

"What the hell! No! They're meant to be! oh my fucking god, this is bullshit! Why would she leave and get engaged to someone else?!" Yea this was definitely his first time watching The Notebook. Anyone like me, who's watched it more times than they can remember clearly knows that they end up together.
I roll my eyes and laugh into his chest. "Zach, calm down and just watch the god damn movie."
He tightens his grip on my waist," But..bu.." I cut him off, pressing my lips to his. I can instantly feel himself calm down under my touch.
I pull away and rest my head on his chest. We continue to watch the rest of the movie. And yes I cried. Even after watching this movie millions of times... I still cry. And I cant help but notice tears glistening in Zach's eyes too.
Allie:"Do you think our love can take us away together?"
Noah:"I think our love can do anything we want it to."
Allie:"I love you."
Noah:"I love you Allie."
By this time I was a mess. Even though I saw it coming their love never fails to make me cry. I sob into Zachs chest as they die in eachothers arms and Zach kisses my forehead, holding me closer to him. He cups my chin in his hands, wiping the tears off my face with his thumb and he looks at me sincerely. "Can I ask you something?" I nod. Oh god. "It's none of my business....b-ut hav..have you ever been in love?"
This was the one question I was dreading. But I answer him honestly,"yea..I have." I look down and sigh," Have you?"
He sighs," No...I haven't gotten the chance to meet that special someone. That someone that likes me for me and not just for my amazing looks." He smirks at his last comment.
I look at him and scoff,"Egotistical much?" He chuckles. "But.. but why do you say that? I mean there must be plenty of girls out there that would be dying to have you." And it's true. He's such an amazing guy and not to mention, he has one hell of a body. And his face, god one can get lost just by looking at him and his ocean blue eyes.
He shrugs," Yea there is..But there all the same and Im just not interested in the same. I've never really dated anyone, until you that is."
At this point Im beyond curious," So..why me?" Out of all the girls in the world, why me? I mean Im not even that pretty and I dont have that curvy body that most girls dream to have. In all my life, Ive never saw myself as beautiful. That was until, Luke. He made me feel like I was worthy of the title: Beautiful. But he's gone now, along with the old me. I no longer put on makeup or even put an effort to my appearance. I simply just did not give a care in a world after his death. I store all these thoughts in the back of my head, awaiting Zach's answer.
He takes my hands in his and kisses my forehead. With his eyes looking straight in mine, my breathe hitches. "Because... You, Luciana Dominguez, are the most beautiful girl I have ever layed eyes on. You are not like all the other girls, your different... a good different. And ever since the first day I bumped into you, I have not been able to stop thinking about you."
My heart skips a beat at his words. I only hope that my red cheeks aren't as visible as I think they are. How is it that I've only just met this boy a couple days ago... and he's taking all the pain away. I just look at him, at a lost for words.
       "Admiring the view Babe?" He raises his eyebrows and winks. I punch his shoulder and roll my eyes. "Ow!"
       I sarcastically remark,"Oh Im sorry, did I hurt you baby?!"
       "Yes! God damn woman you can throw a punch..." He rubs his shoulder and I laugh.
      I kiss his cheek, and get up." Yea well, 10 years of taekwondo does wonders." His eyes widen in surprise and he opens his mouth to say something, but I walk out of the living room.
       I begin to gather my things when a pair of arms wrap around my waist. Lips come near my ear," Aw where you going Luz?" I shudder and he turns me around to look at him.
      I giggle,"Zach, it's getting late. I should be heading back to my dorm. If I know Cassy, she's probably freaking out."
He pouts,"Aw but I wanted to take you out to dinner."
I roll my eyes," Just take me back, would ya?"
He groans," Fineeeee." I laugh and he sighs. "I dont want this day to end"
"Trust me, I dont want it to either." I admit but look him in the eyes with a grin," But who said it was the end?"
He frowns and shakes his head," But.. but you're asking me to take you home?"
I laugh," Yes....to go change dork." His face brightens up. "I can't go to dinner looking like this dumbass."
A huge smile replaces his frown," Well lets go!" He puts his arms over my shoulders and grabs his keys. And he leads me out to his car.
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After pulling out of his apartment, he puts on a CD, which I happen to recognize as The Fray. Who wouldve known Zach would be the kind to listen to The Fray. We sit in silence. Thats when I hear him singing and I whip my head to look at the beautiful guy who's made me forget about the pain.
He begins singing," You gotta love somebody, love them all the same. Im singing, ohhhh I feel your heartbeat." I know this song! The Fray is the shit man.
      He takes my hands in his and smiles. He continues singing and I eventually join him. We're both singing at the top of our lungs," I know the memories rushing into mind. I want to kiss your scars tonight. Im laying here, cause you've gotta try, you've gotta let me in, let me in."
    The song ends and his eyes sparkle as Im laughing so hard. I hold my stomach because it hurts from laughing so much. Why the hell am I laughing...? We just sang one song and drummed to the beat. But I've never felt so happy.
        I calm down and smile at him that's when I notice him staring, "What?"
     "N-nothing, you should smile more.. that's all." He grins and I squeeze his hand.
     "Ready for the next song?" I ask with amusement.
      "Hell yea!" And he presses play. We sing and dance for the rest of the ride. And for once, Im living in the present, not the past. And I feel alive...more so than Ive ever felt before. I take a few glances at Zach and admire his beauty. He's so outgoing, and... free.
        Even though his singing sucks, I don't stop him. Hell mine probably sucks too, but no ones stopping me. He's living life, finding the amusement in anything and everything, and for once...Im not judging.
         He has a little dorky smile, which I can't bring myself to stop staring at. Im in trouble... and I know it.
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        Zach opens the car door and offers his hand to help me out. He wrap his arm around my waist and pulls me closer to him as we walk up to my dorm room.
       "So... The Fray?" I laugh and he burrows his head in the crook of my neck. He doesnt answer me as he begins to kiss my neck, then
my jawline and finally my lips. The kiss is passionate as if he's sending a message through my very body. And as he kisses me and holds me, I know. I know that I deserve this happiness. And I realize that I threw so many months away, grieving the death of Luke. When in fact all he would've wanted me to be was...happy.
Minutes pass and I pull away smacking his chest," We have no time to waste you dork. Now stop distracting me. I have to shower and get changed." He groans and I lead him up to my dorm.
As I open the door, Im tackled down by Cassy, who's yelling at me. For no reason...again. I roll my eyes and she stops when she notices Zach at the door, watching us in amusement.
         "Well hello there. You must be the Zach Ive heard so much about." I elbow her in the stomach,"Ow! You bitch!" I smile and I go to grab my showering bag.
I grab Zachs hand and whisper in his ear," Im going to shower, good luck with her." I giggle and he kisses my forehead.
I turn to look at Cassy, who's eyes are widened."Uh actually, I was heading out so bye." She makes her way down the hall and yells," And Mr. Taylor I expect her to be home by 10 o'clock sharp! I mean it!"
I roll my eyes as I watch my bestfriend leave and turn to Zach." So yea... Ill be back." And with that, I leave him in my room as I go shower.
After twenty minutes I wrap a towel around my body and make my way back to my room. I open the door, and there he is, on my bed, reading one of my favorite books of all time. After. He must have taken it from my shelf, and got bored. I walk in and he whips his head and I open my mouth,"Hey."
His eyes widen at the sight of me in just a towel." Jeesus the things I want to do to you right now." And he licks his lips.
I grab a pillow and throw it at him," Turn around you dork." He opens his mouth as if to protest but I gaze at him and he gives in.
I change into a pair of black ripped jeans, a burgundy top and my leather jacket. "Okay you can look now." I giggle and he stares me up and down.
He gets up and wraps his arms around me, engulfing me in a hug." You look beautiful, now let's go." He drags me out the door and I follow in step
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         "This is honestly the best burger I have ever had. What the actual heaven!" He had stopped eating and began staring at me. Without putting the deliciousness down I ask,"What?"
           He laughs and has an amused grin," You eat like a pig.."
          I scoff," Do not!" He furrows his eyebrows and gazes at me," Okay..Okay maybe I do. But you cant blame me! This burger is actual heaven!"
          He doubles over and I join him. "You, Luciana, are something else." God bless this boy for taking me to the diner with the heavenly burger. And I am something else. My whole life, I've been told just that. Im not girly at all. Growing up, I had more guy friends than girls. I was captain of my soccer team for years and I was an instructor black belt for whos knows how long. I don't like wearing dresses and I hate doing my hair. And I read my life away, burrowing into the lives of fictional characters. But that's me and no one has ever liked the real me until Luke... and now Zach.
       We finished eating and Zach speaks up," You like reading don't you? I could tell from that huge library you have in your room." He chuckles and stares at me with a sparkle in those ocean blue eyes of his.
       I smile," Yea..I love them. Ever since I was able to even hold a book, I was reading in a way. Well I could'nt exactly read just yet, but I would look at the pictures and form my own stories based off them. I never liked playing video games and all that shit kids usually do. Instead I would haul myself in my room reading for hours and getting lost into each and every book Ive ever read. It's my escape you know? My escape from reality and the world.  It's like Im able to live hundreds of different lives, and each life I live, it changes me. Books have the power to do that, to change you. Just people are too stupid to read beyond the words in the book, to actually receive that change." I gasp for air and he looks at me with a huge smile.
         He grabs my hand and squeezes," Very passionate about books huh?" I nod and he laughs. "You play soccer too right? I saw a couple of pictures in your room."
         I frown and look down," Yea... I used to play. Not so much anymore."
         "But why? You looked so happy...so alive in those pictures. I could tell you loved the game." And I did. Soccer was my life, besides books. My older brother, Anthony, made me fall in love with the beautiful game. And after his death, two years ago, I couldnt bring myself to play. I could no longer play the game that we both shared a passion for. It no longer brought the happiness it once brought me. It just reminded me of him and it pained me to play the game that connected me to him. It just wasnt the same without him.
      Tears glisten in my eyes and I try to blink them away. Zach notices and sits down next to me, pulling me into his chest."You don't have to tell me why, its ok. Im here now." We stay like that for a while until the waiter stops by with the bill.
He pays the bill and helps me up."Come on, lets get you home." I nod and he takes me back to the dorms.
We dont talk much on the way to the dorm and I fall asleep.
I feel arms carry me, bridal style. Zach? And we ascend up the stairs. I'm layed down in my bed and soft lips touch my forehead," Goodnight Luz." And I hear the door close. Goodnight Zach. And I doze off into a deep sleep.