Song of the chapter: Independence Day - 5 Seconds of Summer

Something clicked in Tyler's brain and she understood. Eureka, some would say.

"Oh god. I honestly did not know this when we met," she said, walking him over to the kitchen.

"Likewise," he told, thanking her for an ice pack.

She offered to leave us alone for a few minutes to catch up, reassuring Nicolas, not me but him, that she'd be upstairs if he needed help handling me.

"Was that really necessary?" he asked, removing his black t-shirt. His body was as I remembered - ripped and toned where necessary, the body I'd wanted inside me so badly it had physically hurt.

I'm going to hell, I gulped. I threw a pillow at him, which he caught and threw back. He still has those quick reflexes too, I thought.

"You wanted to kiss me. I couldn't let that happen," I said. He moved closer, shirtless and still Nicolas, eyes flirtatious and words flooring.

"Pourquoi pas?" There he goes with the French. I know what you're trying to do mister, I muttered under my breath.

"Why not? Because I'm over you," I retorted, moving back.

"Really?" He moved even closer, muscles flexing and hair flipping. "Why are you running away from me then?"

"I'm not!" I defended, shifting backwards in my seat. He now had me cornered at the end of the leather couch and I could smell the chocolate on his breath - he was that close.

"Well, not anymore. Did I do something wrong?" he pouted, his eyes searching mine for a clue of his wrongdoing.

Something wrong? Gee, let me see: you painstakingly told me you didn't date your friends after I confessed my profound love for you. How's that for something wrong?

"Nicolas, no."

"Zoe, I'm sorry if I broke your heart. I admit, I had kinda figured out you liked me. You were always so happy when I kissed you," he said with a smirk.

Fuck you, I thought.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that." He ran a palm down his face and held mine in his hands. "I'm sorry I was an idiot. I was catching feelings too but I was afraid you were infatuated and I didn't want to get hurt."

His eyes moved from mine to my lips and back up to my eyes. His gaze was apologetic - unfortunately, it was a year overdue.

"Well, it's too late now." I slapped his hands away from my face and went back upstairs, locking myself in the bathroom.

I ran the shower and hopped in, scrubbing myself of the impurity that is Nicolas. I felt horrible for even letting him near me, let alone corner me on a couch. I surely was going to hell and unfortunately he'd be coming with.

I thought about Mitchell to get Nicolas off my mind. I thought about his challenge and felt myself tingle.

"I'm going to blow your mind..."

His words resonated in my ears and made my heart skip a beat. My boyfriend, the love of my life was going to blow my mind. I didn't know whether to be scared or ecstatic. I mean, he scared me all the time when he was inside me because even though that wouldn't be his intention, it still hurt in the morning.

One time I had to skip class because I couldn't get out of bed. He had flown over from Germany during Valentine's weekend and we spent Saturday night holed up in my dorm room. Min had to bring me all my homework and help me into the shower.

It had been an amazing night though, and he treated me like his little precious rose - I realised how much I was in love with him that day, vowing to be the best girlfriend ever.

A knock on the door interrupted my reminiscing.

"Food's here, Zoe."

"Okay! I'll be right down!"

"And Nick told me to say goodbye for him in his slick, thick accent. He's really hot." I could her the smile in Tyler's voice.

I really hate you, Nicolas Dumas.