A knock on the front door startled me. I was downstairs focusing on making some breakfast. My growling stomach was not going to let me be in peace.

Kayla was still passed out upstairs. There's no way of waking her. It's like waking the dead. She'll have to come around on her own.

I stuffed a slice of apple in my mouth before jogging to the front door.

I was shocked to see the person before me. "Ian? What are you doing here?"

I tried to smooth down my freshly washed hair that I'm sure is a mess.

"Let's go on a date." He said nonchalantly.

I choked on air. I just about fell to the floor.

"What?" I asked in disbelief looking at him like he grew two heads.

"Let's go on a date." He repeated slowly.

"Um, uh, Ian." I said speechless. Am I in a parallel universe or something?

"Just say yes." He prompted, his striking blue eyes stared at me.

"Uh, yes?" I answered, it came out more like a question. Where is this all coming from?

I mean Ian is a very attractive guy, definitely hot, and has all the girls swooning over him. But I never saw him in this light.

"Well, let's go." He said holding out his hand.

I reluctantly took it. My mind still reeling.

It was a good thing I was at least dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.

He led me to his car and opened the door like a gentleman. I quirked a brow.

This doesn't seem like Ian. Or at least the Ian I know.

He gestured to get into the car.

I slid into the passenger seat as he closed the door.

We drove in silence. A bit of an awkward silence.

I mean, am I technically on a date with him?

"Ian?" I called out.

"Mhm." He hummed.

I reached over and pinched his cheek which cause him to sway the car from the unexpected gesture. "Why did you ask me out on date?"

"Ouch! Can you let go?" He yelled.

"Absolutely not." I pinched his cheek harder.

"Leah, let go!" He said trying to keep his focus on the road. He started to bounce his leg to take his mind on the pain.

"Tell me and I'll let go. You'll have your cheek back." I said keeping my grip.

"No." He answered.

I pinched harder. "Tell me."

"No." He shook his head.

"Tell me." I pinched even harder.

"Okay! Fine, just let go!" He pleaded.

I released his cheek and Ian's hand automatically went to his face to soothe the pain.

"Damn." He said rubbing his cheek. "Remind me not get on your bad side."

"Tell me why I'm here."

He looked hesitant, but muttered something under his breath.

"What?"

"I never took a girl on a date and I wanted to get the first time over with." He said louder.

I gapped at him.

"See, that's why I didn't want to tell you." He said glancing over to me.

"You've never been on a date?" I asked incredulously.

"No." His eyes trained on the road.

"But you have girls all over you." I pointed out.

"I know. I just never liked one of them enough to date them."

"I'm honored to be your first." I said grinning.

"Wipe that off your face." He grumbled.

"Aww, Ian. Don't be rude to your date." I teased.

He parked the car. "Stop that."

I looked out the window to see where we are. "The park?"

He nodded and got out of the car. I followed.

He popped open his trunk and pulled out a picnic basket.

"We're going on a picnic?" I asked excitedly.

He nodded shyly.

"I love picnics!" I tugged on his arm. "Let's go find the perfect spot!"

We scoured the park and found the perfect spot under a large oak tree. It has to hundreds of years old. It's tall long branches filled with leaves made the perfect shade.

We spread a blanket in the grass and sat down.

Ian gave me the basket to open up and he came prepared.

Sandwiches, snacks, drinks, desserts and utensils. He even brought a mini portable fan just in case if got a little too hot.

We were in the middle of fall, more cool days then warm, but it's the thought that counts.

We ate the spread and talked and joked around.

If felt great to be normal. To be a teenager.

I definitely needed this.

"You did what?" I said choking on laughter.

"I ate it. I'm not a wuss." He defended.

"You ate the horrendous concoction of yogurt, chicken nuggets, frosting and chili powder to win a doll?" I asked laughing.

"Hey! It's not a doll. It's a limited addition action figure that was signed by the original actor." He defended.

"It's a doll." I said fighting back laughter.

"It's not." He pouted. "I'm my defense I was twelve."

I just chuckled at him.

I took a sip of my drink. "Thank you for this." I told him.

"Anytime. You're a great date." He said giving me a smile.

"Confession?" I asked him.

"Go for it."

"It's my first date also." I told him shyly.

"Glad I could be your first." He grinned giving me a wink.

"Shut up." I shoved his shoulder which caused him to laugh.

Ian's phone started to ring. He grabbed it and showed me whose calling.

Jace.

My heart fluttered just at the sight of his name.

"What's up?" He answered. "Just out."

Ian looked at me. "Actually on a date."

I could hear Jace's surprise tone from where I was seated.

Ian put the phone on speaker.

"You can't be serious?" Jace's voice rang through. "You? On a date? What girl was stupid enough to fall for you?"

Ian rolled his eyes. "She would actually like to say 'Hi.'" I widen my eyes at him as he place the phone in front of me.

"What? I don't want talk-" Jace said until I courageously interrupted him.

"Jace, shut up." I told him.

"Leah!" He said incredulously. "No damn way. Ian, what the hell? What do you think yo-" Before he could continue, Ian hung up the phone.

"I love getting him all riled up. Makes my day." Ian grinned.

I forced out a chuckle.

I haven't come to terms yet with how I feel about Jace since my revelation this morning. So hearing his voice so soon took me for a whirlwind.

Ian furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at me as I was silent. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head plastering a smile on my face. "Nothing." I didn't want to ruin an amazing day with my stupid feelings.

Ian grabbed my arm and looking into my eyes studying my face. "No way."

"What?" I asked not understanding.

"You like him."

"Like who?" I knew exactly what he meant. It had to be written all over my face.

"Jace." He pointed at me. "You like him."

"Pshh. I don't know what you're talking about." I said trying to brush it off.

"It's literally all over your face."

I stumbled to form a sentence.

Damn, am I that easy to read?

"Leah." Ian's eyes soften. "You know one part of Jace. As your friend I'm telling you to tread into his world lightly. There's so much more you don't know."

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I thought I knew most of it.

What am I missing?

"And" Ian started snapping me out of my thoughts. "I consider it rude that you're thinking about another man while on a date with me."

I laughed. "My apologize. It won't happen again. You have my attention."

We went back to enjoying our picnic, but what Ian said stayed in the back of my mind.

What is Jace hiding?

***

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