Wrapped

Chapter 23

Twenty-Three ~ Zack

We both pulled away from the wonderful kiss and gazed at each other. A smile plastered on my face. All of my emotions inside me kept ranging from excitement, to being overwhelmed, and to satisfaction. Of the two kisses we shared before, this one was definitely the best. It was, perfect.

We stayed silent for a minute, just staring. It wasn't awkward or weird, though, it was nice.

Nick opened his mouth to say something but looked down quickly, kicking the rocks that laid randomly around the sidewalk and road.

He must have not liked the kiss. He must think that's it's weird for me to be coming onto him. Or maybe it's too soon for him. Just getting out of a relationship and all, he probably doesn't want any romance

"I-I'm sorry," I said and rub the back of my neck, looking away from him.

"No," Nick said lifting his head up, "It's just that-" He bit his lip, keeping whatever he was going to finish saying trapped.

"Just what?" I asked softly, hoping he wasn't going to say something about our age, or how I'm just his dance instructor and he's just the dance student.

"I just," He paused and made eye contact with me, "I really like you."

A small blush appeared on my cheeks and I smiled. He likes me. I'm not the only one with those feelings. This is great!

"But," he began and looked down again. My heart sunk. It dropped down all the way to my feet. Nothing will ever come good of what he's about to say. "Our age difference will-"

"Our age doesn't matter," I said sternly. "Love is love."

Nick looked at me confused, "Love?" he said quietly while tilted his head off to the side.

I crease my eyebrows together and realize what I just said to him. Did I really just say, 'love is love'? Well, everyone says that, anyway. But, what if I am in love? I've never felt this way with anybody else before, besides, liking just a young kid? Well, to be fair, he isn't that young. But, I am turning twenty - years - old soon, and he just turned sixteen. This will be a problem, won't it?

"Well, I mean," I start stammering, I can't stay stern anymore, he's going to find out, "Everybody says that, you know? Like, if there's an age difference or the same gender, love is love isn't it?"

Nick looks down and nods slowly, "I understand," he says softly, his tone sounds as if he's disappointed.

We stand awkwardly for a minute. I feel like I ruined everything. I ruined our 'moment' by trying to make a point, but instead I confessed my feelings.

I sway on my feet and think of how I could change the subject. Ask him if he wants to come back to the house? Or maybe I could take him home?

Before I could offer one of the two choices I had, Nick looked up at me and bit his lower lip, "Do you like me, Zack?" He asks in a small voice.

"Yes," I say bluntly. Instantly I feel regret wash over me. Honestly, I am quite embarrassed of myself. I should like people my own age. I shouldn't like a kid who is still in high school. It's just creepy.

I quickly cover my mouth and see Nick is smiling and blushing like crazy. He looks adorable. He is adorable, everything about him is just adorable. From the way he smiles, to the way he dresses, and to the way he dances.

I don't care anymore. I don't care about what other people would think of me. I don't care about our age. All I care about is that I like Nick. I love Nick, and that's all that matters to me.

.:|:.

I can now happily say, Nick and I have been dating for 3 weeks, almost a full month. Even though we decided to keep it secret, for many reasons, it has still been one of the best relationships I have had.

We are taking things slow, I mean, we kiss even now and then, but Nick wants to cuddle together mainly. I understand why. Pierce and him went way too fast in the relationship, making Nick uncomfortable with a few things. I don't care, it's fine with me. I fully understand going to fast in a relationship, with the whole teacher molester issue I had, so going slow is actually kind of nice.

Pierce doesn't know about us. I will tell him soon, but I don't want to start anything between us. Pierce and Nick are still a little awkward around each other, so whenever Nick comes over, Pierce leaves to his friends house. I don't mind that at all, it gives Nick and I some time together.

The only down side for our relationship is that Nick started 10th grade about a week ago, so I haven't seen him often. Our private dance lessons has also been cut down from every week day to Thursdays and Fridays. Nick is upset about that, and tried to beg his mom to let him keep the same schedule, but she wouldn't allow it.

Now, Nick comes over on Fridays only, since that's when his mom works late. But that's okay, I get to spend some time with him.

It's Friday now. Pierce has left to some friends house and I am driving home from the studio with Nick sitting in the passenger's seat. During rehearsal today, he wasn't acting like himself. He wasn't happy or extremely talkative like he usually is. Instead, he was quiet and emotionless. Maybe he had a bad day at school.

"How was school?" I casually ask. I still find it weird that I ask that, it makes me sound more like a parent than a boyfriend in my opinion.

"Fine," He answered with a small sigh, "We had a pre-test, today."

I nodded and glanced at him. He was leaning his head against the window and breathing softly and slowly.

"Are you okay, Nick?" I finally asked, my voice full of worry.

Nick shook his head and looked down at his hands.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask and turn my car into the parking lot of the apartment complex.

Nick shrugged and leaned back in the seat. When he spoke, his voice cracked and was quiet, "I have some bad news. . . ."

The End.