"I lost him, Jack." I explained once we got home that night. "He found out that I went out with Matt and I really didn't want to but you said he really liked me and I felt bad but I had a horrible time and I really only wanted to date Zach but now he won't even talk to me." I rambled before I sobbed.
"Quinn, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. What can I do?" Jack said as he sat next to me on my bed.
I shook my head. "There's nothing you can do. I've got to fix it." I stood. "Will you give me a ride somewhere?" I asked. He nodded and we got into the car. He didn't ask where we were going, he just took my directions an we drove in silence.
We finally got to Laser Wars and I looked at Jack. He seemed confused. "We're here." I said.
"What is here?" he asked, staring at the looming building.
"Laser Wars. I'll be back. You stay here." I got out of the car and walked up to the door. I opened it and walked inside. I don't know what I expected to find, but Zach sure wasn't anywhere to be seen. I walked up to the counter and asked the cashier where he was and he shrugged, saying he wasn't there. I walked back out to the car and got in. Jack looked at me.
"Nothing?" he asked.
I shook my head and he started the car and drove out onto the road.
"Do you want to go back home?" he asked. I shook my head.
"Can we just try one more place before we go home?" I asked.
"Sure, where?"
"I'd like to try the batting cage where I first met him. That's the only other place I know of that he could be. I have no idea where he lives."
"Whatever you want." He turned and soon we pulled up to the batting cages. I heard the sound of one machine firing balls and the resonance of the ball bouncing off a metal bat.
I closed my eyes as I stood outside the door. "Please god, I need to find him." I prayed quickly before I opened the door and looked in. And there, in all his glory, was Zach, practicing his hitting. I walked up to him slowly, very aware that he had a bat in his hands. But I knew he would never try anything, so I felt fairly secure. I walked up to him and tapped his shoulder, a rush of déjà vu rushing over me.
He turned to me, not with a scowl this time, but with a hurt face that made me feel terrible and made me think that he knew I was coming.
"I'm sorry Zach, please let me explain." I pleaded with a sad face.
He leaned his bat against the wall and slipped off his helmet, tucking it under his arm, before looking at me, waiting for me to go on.
"I really messed up. I really didn't want to go out with Matt but I knew how much he liked me and I just couldn't say no. I really don't like him at all. The date went horribly, if that's any consolation, and I'd never do it again. I want to date you, Zach, that is…if you'll still have me."
He smiled and it warmed my heart. "I know."
I looked at him like he was crazy. "How?"
He smiled. "Jack called me and told me everything. Quinn, how on Earth could I be mad at you. You are the first person to look beyond my past and befriend me for me."
I winced. "You know, you never really told me what had happened."
He smiled. "You really want to know?" I nodded. "It was a regular Saturday. We were playing an out of the area team when someone from the other team shoved a kid from our team. The kid from our team is really small, I have to admit, but that's no reason to shove him. I was the only one who saw. The next time I got the chance, I shoved the kid back. But this time the umpire saw. He called it a foul and benched me. I sort of lost my temper and blew up at him. It was my fault, but at that time I couldn't see any other way of handling it."
I then suddenly hugged him and I think he was stunned for a moment, but then he returned the gesture, wrapping me in his secure embrace. I wanted time to freeze so I could stay there forever but I knew it couldn't.
He slowly let go and looked down at me, his hands still loosely on my waist. He then bent over and we shared our first real kiss. He immediately deepened it, pulling me closer so our bodies were flush together. I lied when I said I wanted time to stop when we were hugging, this was much better.
I pulled back and looked up at him with a smile. "So…ready for me to whoop your ass at Laser Wars?"
He laughed, a sound that warmed my heart and made me want to kiss him all over again. "You're on, Heart."
A/N: Alright, there I'm finished. I know I haven't updated on this story in probably four months and I'm also aware that this is a sorry excuse for a chapter but it's just been bugging me, sitting there unfinished. So I decided to quickly (and I mean very quickly, sorry) finish it up. I might go back later and redo it, but I'm kind of stuck on it. The inspiration I had for this story left so now its just…garbage. If anyone reviews I will be very thankful. If not, I know why. I'm going to go back and redo Black Roses, but I'm not sure if I'll repost it or just scrap it. Thank you all, farewell.
AZ