I couldn't get last night out of my head!

Every time I saw something which made me recall yesterday, goodness, even a glass cup, I was reminded of Everest, of the way he held me, the way we danced. Was it even safe for my weak heart to go think about when we kissed? Oh my gosh, was this alright? Us being so intimate with each other while we weren't even dating? I felt guilty about that, but it was soon overshadowed by the giddy feeling that bubbled inside me.

Right after the kiss, I was a stuttering and mumbling mess. Thankfully, we didn't stay for the after-party. Everest drove me home, and I'd been glued to my bed, trying to process what had happened. He told me about his past, we danced as though we were the bride and groom, not only that, but we ended the night with a kiss! Was that what one called a passionate kiss? Oh goodness, gracious, I had no idea! All I knew was that my entire body burned as though I had a fever. My heart palpitated whenever I remembered his voice, his words...his lips.

"No, no..." When did I become so illicit in thoughts? Whining, I dug my head deeper into the pillow, if that was even possible, to hide my embarrassment and heated cheeks. "I was the one who initiated it even!" When I remembered telling him about how I wanted to kiss him, I let my intrusive thoughts win. He seemed to like how his eyes lit up at my words. He just watched, waiting for me to make a move. And I did.

"When did I become so bold?"

I huffed, wondering out loud. This was different from when Darrick kissed me. I could hardly use my words to describe it without backing out because of how easily flustered I'd become. I even felt his tongue! My face warmed even more. Darrick, right...when last did I speak to him? Ever since our kiss, things had been quite awkward. Sitting up from my bed, I checked my phone to see Everest was online. My lips subconsciously went into my teeth as I began to nibble on them.

Were things going to be tense between Evie and me now?

I didn't want it to be, that was far from what I wanted. When my phone vibrated, I almost tossed it to the floor in shock. Did Evie know I was thinking of him? Gosh, were my thoughts so loud? My heart began to beat faster. Did he want us to meet again? I know I said I wanted to, but my face couldn't take the heat! I was surely going to melt at this rate.

Taking a deep breath, I took a peep at the message, when I saw the first letter of the sender, relief left me in a sigh, and then surprise settled in. "Darrick?" I repeated, opening his message immediately. What was that phrase again? Speak of the devil? Not like he was the devil or anything! Hovering my thumb over his name, I finally decided to read his message. I missed Darrick. I cherished when he was my best friend when I could tell him stuff and we'd giggle about it all day. I missed his soothing forehead kisses. And I absolutely missed when I didn't align his actions with the fact that he was 'in love' with me, rather, his intentions weren't pure.

I frowned at the thought.

If I could go back to that night when he asked me to kiss him, I wouldn't. I'd have hugged him instead, told him of how much I didn't want our friendship to be ruined. Dear God, I hope it wasn't.

My heart leapt in joy at his request. So my feelings were reciprocated. He missed our friendship as much as I did. Jolly! Quickly, I sent him a text about how I'd love to and he asked to meet at our favourite spot. Which was the bakery we used to go to, the same bakery I met Everest for the second time. The man I happened to meet just a few months ago had become this important to me, what a funny world.

Deciding on a casual look, I settled for a pair of grey sweatpants and a fitted black top, the platform crocs gave me a few inches advantage. Leaving my hair the way I packed it yesterday, I accentuated my eyelashes with black mascara. Call me silly, but I didn't want to lead him on with any suggestive or fancy attire.

When I reached downstairs, I came face to face with Papa.

"Oh, hi Papa!" He smiled, the warmth had gotten better ever since I told him about my new job. "Where are you going?" Carefully dropping his mug, he gazed offer my outfit. "Oh, I'm going to meet my friend, Darrick...in the bakery." I still had memories of when he'd scold me for whiling away time in that same bakery instead of earning money. He just nodded. "Okay." Oh...right. Papa wasn't going to scold me anymore.

"Uhm...Papa?"

He hummed, arching an eyebrow. I hope Evie was serious about sponsoring my baking dreams, I was so excited about it. "I'm thinking of signing up for baking school." His soft smile stilled for a moment, eyes narrowing. "Amelia..." When he straightened up, I winced. Perhaps I should have held the news for a while longer.

"I'm not against you doing it but, you should know going to those kinds of things require heavy sums of money..." I had researched it a bit, the high-quality baking schools which came with certificates that had a daunting reputation required large sums of money. If Everest hadn't offered, I'd have left the dream where it was, in the infinite walls of my mind.

"I...I know that. But, what if I somehow got the money to go there?"

He perked up.

"From?" Goodness, the longer I stayed here, the more I regretted my big mouth. "My savings, plus...a mysterious benefactor?" Ah...why did that sound more like a question than a reassuring answer? Papa stared straight into my eyes, as though he was searching for the truth. "Amelia." He deadpanned. "It's just a worried citizen! I mean, m-my friend. He offered to help complete the funds." Help me...I'm melting.

"He?"

"Ah...yes?"

"Is it that Darrick boy you speak of?" Haha, would it be more bearable if it was? "No, you don't know this one. His name is Everest, he was...in the military. He's a good man! And he cares..." My heart continued to thud. "He cares? I take it you're repeating words from his mouth." From the looks of it, Papa wasn't so happy about the introduction of a new character. "Uhm...well..." He scoffed, shaking his head.

"Bring this up again when this young man is in front of me."

"But--"

"Have a nice time in your hangout, Amelia." The conversation had ended, got it; I nodded, scrambling away from the living room.

The road to the bakery was quick, I took a bus and walked for less than five minutes. On getting there, I saw Darrick in front of the bakery, he had his phone in his ear and when he saw me, a smile tugged his lips. "Amelia!" I was equally excited to see him, it had been far too long and awkward.

We hugged, and his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer. "I missed you." The vibration tickled my neck, making me giggle. "Ditto." Darrick opened the door, walking in after me. "I already reserved a seat, and came out to take a call." He shoved his phone into his pocket, his eyebrows scrunched up.

"Oh, is everything okay?" Darrick waved it off with a smile.

"Never better."

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" He chuckled, ruffling his hair. I nodded, it had. "How's your new job coming along?" He seemed curious so I grinned, moving closer to the table. "They are so welcoming! I'm getting used to the serving and all, but the workers make it better. There's a guy there who reminds me of you." I giggled, remembering Preston. I was going to see him on Monday, which was tomorrow. Darrick hummed. "How so?"

"We get along well, and he's really funny," I told him about the other people that worked there and how each of them had a unique personality which made the job fun. "And there's Mrs M, she's a real delight!" It was befitting, that was the name of the bakery, I snickered at my own joke.

"It's nice to see you so bubbly."

"Yeah...I guess so."

"And how's...the man." Oh, I didn't know we were going to talk about him so soon. Not that I minded anyways, Everest was a pleasant topic. "He's good...we're good. My cheeks heated up, much against my wishes. "We actually went out yesterday."

"You did? Where'd he take you to?" I couldn't tell if the slight change in tone was sarcasm, but I took it for interest. Hiding my smile behind my hands, I told him of the fancy wedding his friend had, and how I felt like cinderella at a ball. He breathed out a laugh. "Adorable."

"So he introduced you to his friends."

"And Papa wants to meet him." Darrick's eyes widened. "Your dad? How did he find out about him? Oh, what am I saying, you'd have probably gushed about his or something along those lines. Aren't...I don't know, aren't you guys moving too fast?" His question made my lips pursed, was that moving too fast? To be honest, I could picture a future with Evie, and I really didn't want to do naughty things with him until...well, if we got far enough to do so.

"I...don't know."

"Has he asked you to be his officially?" My heart whined, he hadn't, but we were taking baby steps! I didn't want Darrick's question to make me doubt Evie and my slow pace so I stood up. "Where are you off to?" He asked, shocked at how abruptly I sprung up to my feet.

"Uhm, I'm going to order a milkshake!"

"You could have just called them." He arched his eyebrow is suspicion. "I'd rather not stress them!" I scrambled away, hearing him mutter it being their job. What did he want me to say? That I was avoiding his question because it seemed true and made my heart ache. Technically, I didn't lie, a milkshake would definitely lighten my mood.

"One milkshake please." The cashier nodded, and when he offered to have it brought to my table, I refused. I needed some time to, well, not think about it too much. I ordered a strawberry milkshake with whipped cream and strawberry cake sprinkled at the top. It didn't take long to make, and within minutes, he handed it over.

"It looks absolutely yummy! Thank you."

The blonde-haired boy smiled. "You're welcome sugar."

Taking a big sip, the sweet beverage ran down my throat, making my body shiver in happiness. It tasted too good! Popping open the over, I shamelessly nibbled on the whipped cream and strawberry cake, getting some on my nose. Sighing, I skipped my way over to Darrick. At least that was my intention until I collided with a taller, feminine body.

"Shit!" The woman swore, her voice showing how angry she was. Realizing my milkshake was now over her white body hug and coat, I gasped. Oh no! That looked expensive. Shoot...

"I'm so sorry!" I quickly handed her the complimentary saviet which came with the drink but she swatted it away in disgust. "Don't smudge it any further!" The woman's perfectly threaded eyebrow knitted in annoyance, trying to remove the dripping milkshake as she swung her hands lowly. "Don't you look where you're going? Huh?" Her tone was sharp and loud, probably drawing attention.

I flinched.

"I'm really sorry! I didn't see you!"

"Ugh, you just had to get this crap. I'm lactose intolerant and the smell makes me want to barf!" Her harsh tone caused me to cower back. I had a feeling that my apology wasn't doing her any good. Why was she only blaming me? Surely she wasn't looking as well.

"What the heck are you waiting for? Scram out of here, brat!"

As I stepped back, my back bumped into another figure. What was with me and being clumsy today? "I'm sorry!" I gasped, tears already brimming my eyes when I caught a glimpse of the honey skin. "What's happening?" Darrick asked, not sounding so pleased.

"What the hell, Flo? You're stained!"

Another man emerged at the crime scene, he was a foot taller than Darrick and attired in an equally as expensive suit. The woman who was called Flo glared at the man. "All thanks to this...this girl." Darrick held my shoulders so I wouldn't cower any further. My heart was racing, I hated this kind of attention, surely we would be sent out of the bakery!

"She doesn't look where she's going and bam! Now she's stuttering sorry like it'd bring back my darn designer outfit!" This was officially turning into a bad day to remember. "I...I...you could have..." I was a stuttering mess. My voice even croaked. Good Lord.

"I could have what?" The lady snarled.

"Florescent, that's enough." The man warned, taking off her jacket. "Let's get you cleaned up."

"I'm so sorry." I didn't know why I was still bothered, my body was quivering, not only did I stain the woman, but I also stained the floor! On cue, a waitress came in with a bucket and a mop. My tears finally fell. "Let me do it." I tried to take the mop but she shook her head. "Just sit down, I'll do it."

My chest quivered, how did this happen? Why was I crying? Why was I handling this in such an immature way? I felt myself being pulled out of the bakery until the cool air hit my tear-stained cheek.

"Amelia, hey, it's okay," Darrick whispered, I sniffled, shaking my head.

"I didn't mean to, I..."

Before I could complete my words, he hugged me tightly. "I'm here." I hugged back, needing comfort. He was here for me..."I'm always here." Darrick cooed, rubbing circles against my back as I cried into his chest.