The rest of the week dragged by very slowly, my excitement for my weekend date with Xavier filling every inch of my mind and consuming all my thoughts. Andrew followed me around to all my classes — still calling me "Freckles" no matter how much I protested —and I sat with his group of friends at lunch every day. They still suspected nothing and believe I'm human. It was a relief knowing they hadn't actually smelled me in my house that night.

While I was becoming closer with Everleigh, Andrew, and obviously Xavier, I wasn't sure how I felt about Jacob. He seemed okay, he was just so quiet and I didn't know what to make of a shy, teenage jock. My brain kept telling me to watch out for him, but I shrugged those thoughts away. I considered them all friends now, and that included Jacob. I thought I was just being stupid about it, weirded out that he barely talked to anyone but Xavier — and even that was only once in a while.

Saturday morning finally rolled around and I shot out of bed. I grabbed my phone from my night stand and sat on my window seat cushion.

I already had one message from Xavier.

I laughed as I typed.

Of course is it.

My heart nearly stopped. He could not pick me up; I could not let him know I lived here!

His next response took a few moments, as if he were debating.

I sent him a smiley face before setting my phone down and heading to the bathroom. It was incredibly warm for it being October, so I showered and changed into a teal-colored summer dress that had a light pink, thick stripe at the bottom. I curled my hair and applied mascara before grabbing my tiny purse to put my phone and wallet in.

By the time I was ready, it was ten forty-five, so I headed downstairs and out the front door. I literally sprinted to the school, and by the time my feet hit the parking lot pavement, it was eleven o'clock. I spotted Xavier standing by his truck right in front of the school.

"Hey," I said when I got close enough.

He flashed me a smile, saying nothing and just taking my hand. He helped me into the truck — even though I didn't really need it. He closed my door and ran around to the drivers seat.

"So will you tell me where we're going now?" I asked, trying to make my eyes pleading.

"Nope," he smirked. "Still a surprise!"

I sighed and slumped into the seat, "I hate surprises." I turned to stare out the window, pretending to pout and I caught a flash of guilt in his eyes. He seemed to notice how I was nearly biting my lip off to stop myself from smiling, so he poked me in the side to tease me.

"I think you love them."

I did love surprises, but I was still super nervous. For a date, going blind is hard. Did I wear the right thing?

Ten minutes later, he pulled up to big orchard with a shaded stand in the front.

"We're going apple picking?" I squealed.

He laughed and nodded, helping me out of the truck. Still holding onto my hand, he led me to the stand and asked for a basket. The lady gave him one and we went into the field.

The whole time, we were laughing and talking, learning more about each other. I found out he had no siblings but both of his parents were still alive and well. He's a year older than me at eighteen and claims he just took over his father's business. But I know he really just became the Alpha.

I told him I have two siblings, both younger. But I didn't give their names because I knew he'd recognize them from Tuesday Night. He didn't seem to care, just happy I was telling him about my life. I told him I had just moved from Wyoming.

"Wow! Across the country, huh? Where do you live now? You won't let me see your house." He laughed at the joke but I felt a stab of guilt. Remembering my reasons I pushed it away.

"It's nothing special. It's a short walk from the school." I paused, changing the subject. If he noticed, he didn't show any signs. "I really enjoyed myself. Thank you Xavier for bringing me." I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek.

He froze in shock for a second before he gave me the biggest smile. "I'm glad you liked it, but it's not over yet!"

"It's not?" I asked, shocked. We'd spent hours here. He shook his head and grabbed my hand. We put the apples in his truck and climbed in.

We drove for another fifteen minutes, listening to the radio. He suddenly veered off and pulled over on the side of the road. "It's a super hot day for being October, so I thought you'd enjoy this."

Confused, I let him lift me down and out of the truck and we followed a trail into the woods that eventually opened up to a beautiful lake/pond.

It was a true beauty of nature; indescribable. I stared in awe for a few moments until Xavier burst out laughing. The deep sound shocking me out of my trance and making Scarlet purr in my mind.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"This."

I stared at him confused until he scooped me up over his shoulder, running towards the water. Oh no.

"Xavier — I don't know your middle name — Black! Put me down!" I screamed, giggling like a maniac through it all.

He chuckled, "sure, April." He bent over and let go of my knees. I fell into the water with a splash. Coming up, I glared at him and he completely doubled over. I looked in the reflection of the water and realized my mascara was running down my face.

"Xavier!" I screamed and started running at him. Well, I tried to anyways. I was knee deep in the pond; it's hard to run in water.

He laughed and splashed towards the shore. I finally reached him and grabbed his arm, trying to pull him into the water. "Agh!" I screeched when he stayed still as a rock. "Why are you so tall and strong?" He laughed at my sad attempts to drag him into the pond.

I went around behind and climbed up onto his back, trying to use my weight to push him into the lake. He faltered slightly, but not enough to get anywhere. He just shook his head, while I was hanging off his back and shoulders, looking like an idiot.

When we had caught our breath from laughing so hard, he charged back into the water, diving beneath the surface. I was still clinging to his back so when he went down I plunged in with him. I let go and kicked to the surface. I cheered, "I win!"

Coming up, he laughed at my fist bump to the sky. "Okay, you win."

"Yes!" I giggled because we both knew I would never have gotten him into the water myself.

He scooped me back up and I immediately clinged to his muscular arms. "Don't you dare drop me again!"

He looked me in the eye, his blue eyes sparkling as he gave me the most cliché line, "don't worry, April. I'll never let you fall." Cliché or not, my insides melted a little at the words.