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"Carter...."

I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing. The image in front of me was like an illusion–so surreal–so unrealistic, astonishing and what not. I saw Carter appear from behind the tree with the same cute puppy in his arms. His smile was what got my already jumping heart hopping wildly. His smile was so sincere, so persuasive that I couldn't doubt it anymore.

It felt as if everything was truth. Can a person act so sincere? Just as my heart started to melt I remembered the day I started to trust Carter. He did nothing but wound that trust in return and that stopped me from making the same mistake again. Of forgiving him, again. Of trusting him, again.

Carter started to approach me, his eyes never leaving mine. "Please, Sparkle?" His tone felt soft like a ball of cotton. It sounded as if he was begging. I looked at him and then diverted my gaze to the puppy in his arms. Both of them had those identical expressions on their faces. "Carter.... what- I- what is this?"

"An attempt to make my Sparkle happy," at his words a small smile tugged on my face which turned into a huge grin even though I didn't want it to. I wanted to make a cold expression. To show that he had failed in his attempt. To show that I was aware of his act. To show that he could fool me once but not twice.

But my muscles betrayed me.

"Carter.... you know, I'm not going to be fooled. All-" I stopped when my eyes caught Carter's smile. His sincere smile. So wide, so refreshing, so comforting smile that became even wider as he kept staring at me. "I've prepared this speech. It contains all the answers you need," Carter declared as he started to search his pockets for something. "Here!" Retreating a paper from his pants he held it in front of his face.

"I'm sorry. I'm really really really sorry. It was my mistake and I admit. I should've talked to you first before believing Maddie and Jack. Before believing your friend, Lia. I should've trusted you and I should've known that you're not that type of girl. But saying the truth, you were wrong too. I understand that Isaac kissed you forcefully, without you knowing but you could've told that to me. I'd have taken no time to dig his grave. I-"

"That's the reason-" I started to say but Carter shushed me.

"I really thought you had betrayed me and that is why I sided with all those idiots. You know that I'm an idiot too, still you listened to me. You tried to kill yourself again when you had promised me not to! And.... the reason for not visiting you in the hospital were plenty. I was worried about you. All those nights I couldn't sleep because you were in pain. Seeing you with all those machines, witnessing you, struggling to live and knowing it was all caused by me," Carter's eye glistened. He was no more looking inside the paper.

"I was guilty. I was frustrated, mad. Mad at myself for doing what I did. Because at that moment I realized that I couldn't live without you. I couldn't imagine living without you. I couldn't meet your eyes. I was ashamed of myself. And so, just as I knew you were fine, I left. It wasn't like I didn't care. I came everyday, but was just afraid to meet you. And I was afraid I might flare up on you. Because you had broken your promise. You did not think about others and just used that poison." Carter decreased the gap between us as his hand went to hold my free one. "Who the hell even gives you such ideas?!" He barked, a shriek escaping my lips. "You drive me crazy, Sparkle! You really frustrate me. Why are you so weak? Does not anyone in this world means anything to you?" He scolded still pulling me close to him.

"I was stupid. And so I lost my Sparkle. And now I'm regretting it because life is nothing without my Sparkle. I need my Sparkle back and I'll take my Sparkle back no matter what." I opened my eyes that I had closed due to fear, when his tone went back to the soft, sweet one. His hands came up to cup my cheek as he stared at me.

My Sparkle. My Sparkle. My Sparkle. My Sparkle.

"And, I. am. Not. Acting. Anything," he declared. His tone was firm and authoritative, but yet sweet and comforting. I stared back at him trying to get my brain to start functioning again and be out of the sparks that I was feeling due to Carter's hand on my cheek. I looked down and then it struck me. He wasn't reading anything from the paper.

"You don't have anything written on that page, do you?" Carter just shrugged his shoulders at my question and smiled. "You told me you had a speech written and you ask me to believe that you are not acti-" before I could complete my sentence Carter attacked my lips with his. Startled, I stumbled back but he supported me, planting his hands on my waist. He started to kiss me hungrily like life depended on it. At first I refrained from kissing back but again my muscles betrayed me. Not only my mouth, tongue and heart but this time my brain had betrayed me too. I was liking it and I was doing it intentionally. I wanted to do it all of my life and I wanted it to not end.

My free fingers found their way up his face and then to his hair as I started to play with them while his hand was caressing my jaw and the other one held my waist. When I couldn't breath anymore and planned to pull back, but Carter did before me. My eyes caught his red, swelled, lips and then I realized what I had done.

With uneven breaths I took a step back and looked at the ground, trying to plan my escape. I played with the hem of my shirt being aware of the shade my cheeks were. Before I could do anything to run out of the park, Carter held my wrist and brought me back to where I was standing earlier. "Am I forgiven, then?"

Should I or should I not?

"Carter... you... if you-" I started to say but Carter stopped me.

"Before saying anything, just know that I won't give up. I won't move from here, and won't let you move either until you forgive me." He said.

"Why Carter? Why do you need me to forgive you?"

"Because Sparkle, you have made yourself my habit. You've made me fall in love with you," he announced. My heart did not skip a beat. It skipped several beats. The air around me felt suffocating. It was as if I was about to faint. Carter's statement rang inside my head again and again and again. My eyes bulged out of their sockets.

"W-w-w-w-what?" I stuttered, my red face going extremely white. Extremely pale due to the shock.

"Sparkle, I love you," he informed making me shake my head.

"No. You don't love me." I corrected, refusing to believe what he told me. "No, no, no.... you're being stupid!"

"Yes, yes, yes. I love you Sophia Anderson," Carter repeated. "I really really love you, call me stupid or whatever you want. And just why do you keep running away? What am I doing to you?" Carter grabbed my arms and brought me back to him.

"Can you please forgive me? Please? I want to start over. Again. Without any misunderstandings, trusting each other. I want to start it over. I want you to forget whatever happened, be mine again? Please Sophia? Forgive me?"

"I'll do anything you say...." Carter pleaded and I gazed around where the words were hanging on the tree. There were two pictures of crying emojis and that view made me smile again. I decided to forgive him. I decided to start over again.

"I forgive you. It's okay, Carter," and just as the words were out of my mouth Carter tackled me in a hug as we both fell down with kisses all around us. Carter was on top of me with a small smile on his lips. I chuckled at him as I admired his beautiful features. "You are so beautiful," I couldn't stop myself from saying. I couldn't keep the blush off my face when I realized what what a stupid thing I had just Said.

"Beautiful?" Carter questioned with his eyebrows raised, looking amused. I nodded at him with flushed cheeks. He laughed lightly in response. "And you know how are you looking?"

"How?"

"Incredibly irresistible," he stated making my cheeks go red again. God I need to stop blushing. "I love, how I can make you blush so much. Even your neck is all pinky pinky."

"Carter!" I drawled as I hit him lightly on his chest. Not only his words but the position we were in made me all heated again. He chuckled placing his head in the crook of my neck, his hair tickling my jaw. Bringing his head up he brushed his knuckles on my upper cheek, just under my eyes.

"I love you, Sparkle..." he whispered. "I really really love you," he continued. These words felt foreign to my ears. No body ever told me they loved me. And here the person I loved was returning the feeling back. That did not only feel wrong but also seem wrong. Me, the girl who did not deserve to be happy, who did not deserve to be loved was feeling all those things. And it was risky; it was dangerous. I knew very well that Carter was poison but I was addicted.

"I... really really love you too Carter," I smiled as I expressed my feelings.

Carter started to lean closer to finish the gap between the both of us causing my heart to start somersaulting. "Arf! Arf! Arf!" I twisted my neck to look at the puppy from earlier. I smiled shyly at it as I waved a little at that forgotten puppy.

This was the cutest thing ever.

"Carter.... this position looks really awkward. Can we please...?" With that I started to get up and so did Carter. "This is such a cute thing, Carter! Can I have it? Please? I'll take care of it! I really love pets..."

Carter laughed, picking up the puppy and bringing it to me. He winked, "not as cute as you though." This earned him an eye roll from me. "It's yours already, Sparkle."

"So, what are you going to name him?" Carter asked as he placed the animal down and helped me picking up the chocolates from the ground.

"Umm.... Fluff. I'll call him Fluff!"

"Hmm, Fluff, that's a cute name. Hello Fluff!" Carter waved at Fluff and he jumped up and down in return.

*****

"But Carter, where are we actually going?" I turned my head towards Carter again.

"Na-ha! That's a surprise!" Carter repeated making me groan in annoyance. Suddenly, he stopped the car.

"What?" I found myself asking. "Are we there already? Can I remove it?"

"No and no. Fluff, look after my Sparkle, okay? And see if she tries to remove her blindfold. Sophie don't even try to do it. You don't know what I'll do with you if you even touch it," Carter warned, placing the thing on my lap. I heard him getting out out of the vehicle as he shouted, "don't even try it. I have cameras in there!"

Why in hell did he put cameras in here?!

I sighed as I ruffled Fluff's hair on his body. "Where do you think we are Fluff?" I asked him. "Fluff? Are you sleeping?"

"Ahrf! Arf!" I smiled as I listened to his childish barks. My hands were begging me to use them in opening the blindfold but Carter's threat paralyzed them. I tried to divert my attention from the blindfold. "Where do you think Carter has gone to?" I asked but I was met silence. I plopped another chocolate in my mouth. Oh how addicting is this chocolate!

"You know, I always wanted to have a pet. But Josh was allergic to dogs and cats and all the animals. And I hope Josh was here too. He'd have loved you. You know what? You're very cute."

"Ahrf! Ahrf!"

"Fluff, do you think I can be happy? Do you think I deserve to be happy? Do you think Carter really loves me?"

"Arf!"

My ears heard the cars door open and I hoped it was Carter. "You're Carter?"

"No, I'm a joker." It definitely was not Carter's voice! A scream left my mouth as I started to unlock the cars door. My heart beat escalated from 1 to 100 in a second and it was as if my heart would be out of my chest in no time.

And then, I heard Carter laugh. "Chill Sparky! It's just me!" He touched my shoulder and I swayed his hand away.

"I hate you, Carter! I hate you!"

"Aww, don't say that. I was just messing with you," I crossed my arms over my chest and moved my face towards the window. "Sparkle, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were scared of jokers..." Carter started the car as he spoke. I could practically hear him controlling his laughter. I stayed quiet without turning my head to him.

"Great! Just great! Now you're mad at me. You'll ruin my surprise if you be like this.... I'm sorry, Sophie?" He apologized.

"It's okay Carter. I'm not mad. I was just scared... so, what's the surprise? Don't tell me we're going to New Jersey again! I haven't told anyone at home." I shook my head at the memory. What is even there in New Jersey?

He chuckled. "No, not New Jersey. We're in New York only. Don't worry. And I've talked to Rebecca. She said it was okay and she'll handle the things at home." He answered. "Talking about home, I found out your parents were here.... how? Do they know you... tried to.... ?" I knew immediately what Carter was referring to.

"I guess they know. They haven't talked to me about it yet. They came with Josh and decided to stay," I explained.

"Wow! Josh's here? What trick did you play?"

"Carter, they sent Josh to god knows where. And I have no idea who played any trick on them. They're talking to me, eating with me, staying in the same house, I don't know, just what happened to the old monsters!" I mentioned with a sigh.

"Oh. Maybe they realized they actually gave birth to a girl before Josh and how good of a daughter they have... okay, we are here! Come on Sparkle, come on Fluff!" I grabbed Fluff in my arms and opened the door. Carter was quick to hold my hand and I got out of the car.

"Come on!" He dragged me with him.

"God Carter! This is so awkward... I can't even see where we're walking!" I tried to keep my balance as I ran with Carter.

"Okay, sit right here! I'll be back. And, don't move. Give it to me," he took Fluff from my hands and retreated back.

"Carter! This is so weird! Where am I? Is this some kind of a prank?" I yelled as I tried to figure out the place by feeling it with my hands. "Carter, don't tell me you're leaving me here!" I shouted again. "Okay, I'm removing this blindfold!"

"Wait, wait!" Carter's voice echoed in the background as I felt him sitting beside me. He breathed heavily before laughing a little. His hands moved up to open the knot and just as he did, he placed my glasses back on my nose.

"Wow....." I couldn't take my eyes off of the view in front of me. "Carter this is so beautiful. I mean, wow. This is incredible...." The sky stretched above me was a picture of different colours: pink, orange, red, purple, grey. The colours were merged with such a perfection that each gave a shade of the new one and appeared before my eyes without looking strange. How the great orange, burning sun looked like it was drowning, how the birds that were flying in the sky, was a picture of God himself. The shades that painted the water under my feet were plenty.

I sighed as I averted my gaze towards Carter who had his eyes fixed on me. "This is the best surprise ever," I whispered with a small smile. He mouthed a 'thankyou' to me and stared ahead.

"I come here to paint. And today I planned to bring you here. To show this breathtaking place to you. I'm glad you like it," Carter let out still staring ahead, his hand reaching mine and taking it in its warmth.

"Carter, I love it. Thank you so much," I remarked, placing my head on his shoulder. He scooted me even closer by putting his arm around my shoulder.

"Last time when I slept on your shoulder..." my eyes started to glisten.

Carter breathed in harshly. "Please don't bring that up Sparkle. Nothing like that will ever happen again, I promise. And unlike you, I keep my promises," He said. "And much as I like you sleeping on my shoulder, I don't want you to starve. All you've eaten is chocolates. Come on I brought somethings.." Carter stood up and stretched out his hand for me.

I stood up and walked towards the already placed mat. Carter sat first and patted the place beside him. I placed myself there. "I can smell fries!" I said, excitedly trying to smell what else Carter had brought.

"Because there are fries! And lots of them," he laughed as he handed me a paper bag full of fries.

"Will I only eat fries?" I pouted.

"Nope, I bought this and this and this too." He handed me a burger, nuggets and my drink. "I didn't know you really liked McDonald's... and it was a risk. No restaurant was near and I had to buy something."

"I love McDonald's, Carter!" I assured him and started to eat my food. In no more than a minute Carter's burger was half. I gaped at him and then at my burger. Was my speed too slow or was he eating abnormally fast?! "Carter, where did your burger go?"

"In here, babe." He winked as he pointed at his stomach.

Looking at him eating like a monkey, I tried to speed up myself. When we were done I opened the bag of French fries. "Have you ever tried dipping fries in the coke?" I asked him.

"What? Eww, no!"

"Carter, you are no fun! Try it, its really good." I suggested but Carter simply shook his head. "Please Carter, it's really good. Trust me," I tried to persuade him.

"How can a... salty fry dipped in a sweet coke taste good? No, thank you!"

"Please? This one?" I dipped one fry in my coke and pushed it into his mouth. "It's good, right?"

"No, eww. It's disgusting!"

I frowned at him and continued eating my food. How can someone not like it. A smile crawled up my lips when I saw Carter dipping two of his fries in his drink when he thought I wasn't watching. I laughed lightly. He couldn't just admit that he like it. Boys are just boys.

When we were done with our food, I helped Carter wind up everything. "Carter, what's the time? It's already too late.... " I asked Carter, taking Fluff into my hands and massaging his paws.

"It's six thirty. Don't ask me for leaving. There's still something left," he declared taking my hand in his and bringing me to the centre of the field. "Just wait," Carter started fishing his pocket for something. Bringing his phone out he started typing on it. He placed the phone on the folded mat.

"What are we doing?" I found myself asking him.

"Dancing," he placed his hands on my back and I stood there completely confused. "Come on! You are supposed to wrap your arms around my neck," Carter described and I did as he asked.

"This way?"

"Yeah... now we're supposed to sway. I just learnt the steps yesterday."

"Is there going to be a song?" I asked as I started to sway with him.