This Time I'll Make It

App boy (1)

Kat's POV

Me and my sisters came out tonight with a couple of friends we made here some years ago. We're walking down the avenue and they're talking about going to a club on what we like to call the bar street (because there's one in each door all the way along the street) but I'm no longer paying attention.

I cannot believe I had to come all the way from my home town to Algarve to finally meet a guy I met in a dating app. Out of all of them, he was the only one who was different. The others all wanted the same thing, sex. But he actually cared and we even had some heartfelt conversation, which was really good because back then I didn't have anyone to talk to and he understood me. We eventually lost contact but it was nice while it lasted.

Okay, it's now or never, Kat. Just go there and introduce yourself. You won't get another chance at this and you know it. No regrets, remember?

My conscience tells me. I guess she's right, I really should do more of the things I want. And that's why I go up to him.

"Hey! You're Luke, right?" I say.

"Yeah... I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"I'm Kat. You know, from that app. We talked a lot through Snapchat."

"Oh! Now I remember. I'm so sorry I didn't recognize you." When he finally remembers his eyes kinda light up. I must be seeing things.

"That's okay. I just wanted to come say hi and meet you in person."

"Who'd know we would find each other here of all places."

"Tell me about it." I mean what on earth are the odds, right?

"Are you here with friends or family?"

"Family, and you?"

"Friends."

"Well, then, have fun. I'm gonna go but it was nice to meet you." I tell him.

"Yeah, you too." We both smile and then he unexpectedly hugs me. Never saw that one coming.

"You're even more beautiful in person." He whispers in my ear.

"Well, you're one to talk. I still don't understand why you told me you were the kind of guy girls never give a second look at when you are so handsome." I whisper back before breaking the hug.

I wink at him and then turn to leave. When I'm half way between him and my sisters, who are now sitting at an esplanade a couple of doors up from where Luke is, I ear him calling me.

"Hey, Kat, wait up." I turn around and he's so much closer that I thought.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"Would you like to go for a walk with me?" What would I tell my parents and sisters?

"What like now? What about your friends?"

"They can live without me for a couple of hours. So what do say?"

Just tell them he's an old friend. You met him a few years ago but then lost contact. It's true so you wouldn't be lying if that's what you're worried about.

Why is my conscience always right? It's so annoying.

"I guess a walk won't hurt." I give in. "Just give me a sec." He nods so I make my way to my sister's table and let them know.

They ask who he his and I tell them the truth: I met him a few years ago but we lost contact and now he wants to catch up. I let them know I have a key so they don't have to wait up for me. Then I turn to go to Liam again and text my dad to tell him where I'm going so my mom won't freak out when I don't come home with my sisters.

"Ready?" Luke asks.

"Ready." Nervous, but ready.

Luke's POV

I cannot believe I finally met her in person. She's even more beautiful than I remember. And dear God, those eyes! I could easily spend an entire day looking at her without getting tired.

"Ready?" I ask when she comes back.

"Ready."

"So, where do you want to go?" I finally break silence after a while.

"Can we just walk? I don't really feel like going somewhere crowded."

"Come with me." I know just the place.

I grab her hand in mine and lead us towards the beach. I wait for her to take her hand back but she doesn't and I'm glad. Surprised, but glad.

"Where are we going?" She's curious.

"You'll see in a minute. We're almost there." I smile and she returns it.

When we're right around the corner from the beach, I stop and turn to face her.

"Do you trust me?" Her eyes narrow a little bit, like she's trying to find the answer.

"I guess." That's all she says but it's enough for me.

"Close your eyes." I say and watch her close them with a smile on her lips.

"Now what?" The way she's biting her lower lip makes me want to kiss her. But I can't, at least not right now.

"Don't open until I say, okay? Don't worry, I got you." She grabs my hand tightly and I do the same to let her know she's safe.

She just stepped in the sand so I think she can feel it on her feet even though she's wearing sandals. We take some more steps before I let go of her hand and tell her to open her eyes.

"Okay, you can open your eyes now."

"You brought me to the beach." She says and I can't decipher her tone.

"We can leave if you don't like it here." I say nervously.

"No. This is exactly where I wanted to go." She lets me know.

She takes off her shoes and I do the same. We decide to sit right in front of the ocean instead of at the beginning of the beach so we can lay back and watch the stars without the street lights disturbing us.

Silence takes over for a while but it's not awkward, it's actually nice just laying beside her gazing at the stars. I don't know why I stopped texting her, she's always been amazing to me and now even more so. She let me hold her hand, she trusted me, and all I ever did to her was leave her on read.

"What are you thinking about?" She brings me back to reality.

"You." I answer without thinking.

"What about me?"

"I was trying to recall why the hell I stopped answering your texts."

She sights and sits. "Look, uhm, if you're going to apologize and tell me you were really stupid for doing that to me, don't. I get it. We got along and it was good giving each other some happy moments but then you got tired and that's fine. You don't have to explain or apologize." Her voice stars to crumble at the end so she clears her throat.

Shit. I really hurt her.

"Is that what you think? That I got tired because I had already had everything I wanted?" I sit too.

"Well, all the guys from that app did it so I got the message when you left me on read."

"You know what, I could say you're wrong, but then I'd be lying 'cause you're not. I didn't realize that that was the reason, but you're right, that's exactly why I stopped answering. I'm sorry, Kat, I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's okay, you don't have to apologise. And I want you to know that I didn't go to you tonight expecting something, I really just wanted to meet you in person."

"I know, and I'm glad you did."

"Me too." We both lay back down again and just stay there for a while.