Bitter Sweet Tea

13. By her side

Finn's POV

After frantically changing my clothes and brushing through my hair I meet Zara at the door again as she waits there. My dad is grumbling about something so I quickly push her out closing the door behind us before he can say something.

"He didn't say anything did he?" I mumble.

"Who? That man? No, he didn't is he your dad-"

"What are you doing here?" I change the topic quickly. "And how did you know my address?"

Zara smiles softly, "I missed you! And my mom is on the school board so I just asked her."

She... Missed me?

Suddenly the cold air around us felt much warmer. Her smile was absolutely perfect.

She was absolutely perfect.

Suddenly she grabs my hand and I feel whole. Warm. Happy.

"Come on! We're going out!"

Like a date?

Of course, not idiot don't even think about that. Why would she want a date with you?

"Where are we going?" I ask that question, rather than the date one.

"It's a surprise." She giggles softly and fuck is he'd giggle like music to my ears.

Usually, I hate surprises, but something about a surprise with her, I don't seem to mind.

Honestly, the only thing I can focus on right now is her hand around mine. Her hands are soft and warm.

Wonder what they'd be like around my neck-

No! Bad Finn.

"We're here!" Zara's voice suddenly breaks me out of my thoughts as I look around.

It's a park, near my house. I've been here hundreds of times, nothing about it is different, but somehow, it seems so much more beautiful right now.

"We're having a picnic!"

I felt some anxiety rise in my chest but I forced it down. I was going to have a fun day with Zara. I was going to do it.

Zara pulls a blanket out of her back before laying it on the grass and sitting down, patting the spot next to her. As I sit beside her she pulls out a few sandwiches as long as some containers of fruits, juice boxes, and a container that has two small cupcakes.

Almost immediately my brain started to calculate calories in each item of food trying to determine how much I'd be allowed, but I try and push those thoughts away. I'll make up for it later, but I want to have a fun day with her.

"My mom helped me with the sandwiches, we weren't sure what kind you like so we made a bunch, I really hope there's something here you like," she laughs a bit nervously before looking away her cheeks go a bit pink as she mumbles, "and I um... Made the cupcakes for us..."

I look back at the cupcakes and notice one has black frosting while the other has pink, and both have small red and white sprinkle hearts on them.

I felt my face suddenly heat up. Normally I'd stay far away from something like a cupcake, but after she made these for us? How could I?

She's so perfect.

Without thinking I grab the cupcakes handing one to her, "let's start with dessert then!" I won't think about it. I wouldn't think about it. If I thought then it'll be ruined. I won't.

Zara suddenly smiles wide as she grabs her cupcake, they were mini cupcakes so she ate hers in one bite. I followed taking in a deep breath before eating it.

It was amazing.

After that, my thoughts seemed to evaporate. Me and Zara talked and ate, and at some point, we ended up playing on the playground like a couple of children.

I don't remember the last time I had this much fun. I don't remember the last time I got to be a kid.

Me and Zara were now sitting on the swings watching the sunset as we swayed lightly.

"You know I care about you, right, Finn?"

Zara's words took me off guard as I look at her. This was hard to believe for me. That someone could care about me, that they'd willing spend their day with me. That they'd go out of their way to try and help me.

Zara confused me.

It was all too much, suddenly she started speaking again. "You mean a lot to me, Finn."

I think if I tried to speak I would end up crying, so instead, I just nodded slowly.

And we sat there together as the sun set, sitting in the most peaceful and comfortable silence.

Sitting here with her I realized there is nowhere in the world I'd rather be. For once in my life, I feel relaxed and happy.

I don't care what will happen when I get back home to my dad, I don't care what will happen at school, I don't care about how much I ate. I don't care.

The only thing that matters is that I'm here by her side.