Forever and Always ✔️

Chapter twenty seven - Penelope.

Wow, he really put in the effort for a first date. The waves were crashing peacefully and the moonlight was shining high up in the sky with the stars, nothing could get better than this moment right here.

"Where have you been all my life?" I chuckled as Zack packed away the picnic basket as there was nothing left to eat.

"Looking for you." He responded with a cheeky smile while blowing out the candles, making it pitch black. We had been talking, laughing and sharing memories, likes and dislikes for hours and I never wanted it to end.

He placed the candles back into the basket and we both got up so the blanket could be folded. "I'll walk you back to your place."

"That would be lovely." I say with an excited feeling in my stomach. My house was at the other end of the beach as we began walking.

"Do you miss Texas?" He asked, surprising me a little.

I shrugged as he slowly wrapped his hand around mine, making me forget that he asked a question. "Um, sorta but I like it here. It was a new beginning for me and my dad after everything."

I still couldn't believe I told someone about my past after I promised myself that I wouldn't tell anyone but, only to protect myself from what happened at school after my mothers death. He didn't need to know that just yet. Maybe in my tenth letter?

"How was your school life?" He squeezed my hand like he was reading my mind.

I sighed, not knowing what to say. "I'll tell you in a letter."

We stopped at my house, a few yards down. "I know it's late but do you wanna go for a swim? I'm getting quite hot."

My eyes widened at his suggestion. Now this was really different from what I had experienced. "But we don't have anything to swim in," I began with a shy smile, "and it'll be cold."

"Just swim in what you feel comfortable in," he said, let's end this perfect date with a bang!" He dropped the picnic basket and kicked off his shoes.

I nodded, taking off my shoes and then my shirt only showing my pink bra and my tan stomach. He looked at me up and down and took off his shirt showing his perfectly formed abs that I couldn't take my eyes off. We're both checking each other out until we snapped out of our trance. He took off his pants only showing his boxes as I took off my skirt only showing my underwear.

He took my hand and he began running with me shortly behind. Once we reached the water, it was cold. And I mean very cold, like icy cold.

"Oh my god, Zack!" I yelled with a smile as the water only covered my ankles. "It's so cold! I'm out!"

He laughed, jumping in more, not caring that it was freezing cold. "Oh, no you don't!"

Just as I took a step out of the water, Zack grabbed me by the stomach and swung me around and soon enough, we both crashed into the water.

We both started laughing and giggling at this silly moment. Midnight swimming was the best when you spend it with someone who meant the world to you.

He turned me around so I was flat on my back, he looked at me with lust in his eyes and pulled me in for a deep kiss sending cold tingles all over my body. He made me feel warm. I almost forgot we were in icy cold water. We're kissing for many minutes before we pulled away, making me want him more. "Warm yet?"

I smiled and grabbed his hair, pulling him in for another long kiss until I heard my name being yelled out. Oh come on!

Zack sighed. "Way to ruin the moment."

I chuckled as he pulled me up out of the water, I turned to see a shadow standing at the foot of the waves. I couldn't make out who it was but I prayed that it wasn't my father because that would be the worst thing to ever happen tonight.

We both got out of the water, hand in hand and dripping wet. "Sean?" I crocked out as we finally approached him. I grabbed my clothes from the ground and covered myself up as Sean was staring at what used to be his.

Zack and I quickly got changed before I yelled at Sean for stalking us. "What the heck are you doing, Penelope? It's midnight and freezing out here!" He yelled, grabbing my wrist which I jerked away quickly. Sorry but no one could take me away from Zack. No one.

"Watch it, mate." Zack cut in and pulled me back.

"What are you doing with this douche, Penelope?" Sean said harshly, glaring at Zack.

And then angry Penelope came out. "Firstly, you can't tell me what to do. You're not my boyfriend anymore," he flinched at my last comment, "and secondly you can't treat Zack, my boyfriend like that."

Sean grew mad, I've always known when he was about to burst. Unfortunately, I dated him for a year and a half which I soon realised that I was better without him.

"Boyfriend huh? You better watch out for her," he turned towards Zack with a smirk, "she's a crazy one."

Zack was about to give Sean a blow to the face but I pulled him back. "He's not worth it. Go home, Sean."

I dragged Zack away from Sean and walked up my doorstep where Sean's figure disappeared. "I'm sorry about him, he's not usually like that."

Zack took both of my hands and smiled. "Don't be, I'm just glad you called me your boyfriend back there." He winked, making me chuckle.

"Well, that's what you are." I smiled as he kissed me on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Penelope. I had fun." Zack said, slowly letting go of me and walking back down the beach where he left his picnic basket.

I waved at him before I went inside and now I was looking for the letter in my top draw to read at two in the morning.

*

Opening up the letter, I began to feel a rush of emotions run through me. I've never done this with anyone before, it was different and special. Our thing. And then my eyes scanned the letter with a smile plastered all over my face.

Dear, Penelope.
I have been sitting here thinking of what to write you and the truth is, I've gone blank. There are so many things that I would love to say to you and to begin with, I will say how beautiful you are and what a great smile you have. Things have happened to you and I honestly wish I was there to hold you when you cried and it felt good to hold you when you first told me about your mom. The truth is, I'm falling for you every second I lay my eyes on you but I don't want to rush you with this. With us. We can take our time, get to know each other, make new memories and just have fun. I can tell you now that I can't wait to see what the future holds for us and I hope to see it with you.
Forever and Always, Zack.