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"Because when I look at you, I can feel it. And I look at you and I'm home." - Dory, Finding Nemo

Chapter 59
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I had to bite my lip to stop from giggling at Kade's previous distaste of my movies. "Okay, your turn."

"Mhm..." he considered over his next question for a moment. "Favorite color?"

I rolled my eyes. "Basic."

He chuckled, glancing at me before back at his straw. "This was your idea, sweetheart. Answer it."

"Okay, fine. Red. Some shades of orange are nice as well."

He eyed me with confusion. "Orange?"

I nodded, and scooted our milkshake closer to my side. "Orange is not that bad."

Kade snorted. "You're right, it's terrible."

I rolled my eyes around my straw. "Okay, tell me what's so bad about it."

His nose scrunched in disgust. "The name makes me want to throw up." He scooted our glass away from me. "You don't deserve this shit any longer."

I felt laughter bubble in my chest as I reached for it. Kade took that as an opportunity to trap my hands in his, his eyes glimmering with humor.

My head tilted as I watched his lips tilt. "Kade."

His eyes rung with adoration at me. "Kimberly." Before I knew it, he pulled me closer into his side.

I giggled against him, though I'd never felt more comfortable in my life. "You're going to squish me."

"I couldn't care less."

I rolled my eyes, though I never wanted to leave this spot. "Some chili cheese fries would be nice about right now." I wanted to smack my own self after the words. There were millions of words that I could have chose, but those were the ones I thought best to say.

Humor danced in his eyes as he watched me. "Absolutely not. You're going to be shitting all over the place. In my car, in the movies." I rolled my eyes, before he called for a waitress. I didn't mean for him to order a large order, but he did, anyway.

"There's no way we'll have any room for popcorn," I warned him.

He shrugged his shoulders, his hand trapping my own. "We'll make some."

The upcoming silence was comfortable, and well-welcomed. I wasn't quite sure where we were, but we'd been driving for hours like Kade suggested.

We drove until we found a decent restaurant. Kade had googled the nearest movie theater, and there wasn't one too far from here. I wasn't quite sure what movie we were seeing, but it wouldn't be until a few hours until the showing began.

Today was one of the perfect ones. It felt surreal, actually. I knew we'd have to return home at a certain point, but until then, I was planning on enjoying myself. It was an experience to see Kade so relaxed. We weren't worried about Chivo, or his father, or my mother. We could be us today.

I glanced up when I heard the screeching of the trays. That was quick.

I thanked the waitress as she set our food down. As soon as she walked off, I smiled at the plate of fries in front of me. Kade was focused on the mozzarella sticks while I picked up my fork.

"If you burn your tongue, it's not my responsibility to get you to the hospital," I heard Kade tease.

I chuckled at that. "Thanks for your generous consideration."

He was right about the fries, though. I decided to wait for the fried goodness to cool down before I took a bite.

In the meantime, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Past the cracks, I could see my friends' curious messages.

They were all of the same context, basically. Asking where I went, where I am, if I'm safe, if I'm dead. They really had a certain way of caring, and worrying that tickled me.

I texted my dad that I had stayed at Ravens, the  responded back to her, Maggie, and Jax, and told them that I was alright. I didn't mention where I was. Like I said, this was our day.

"You really do need another phone," Kade told me when I placed the phone down. "That thing is a piece of shit."

I lifted my gaze to glare at him. "Everyone can't afford the newest phones, you know."

Kade shrugged, as he picked up a mozzarella stick. "There's an Apple Store nearby."

I lifted my fork for the fries. "I'm not paying a thousand dollars for a phone. That's ridiculous." As long as mine worked, then I'd run it until it died. "I'd never pay that much for one."

"You're right, you're not," he agreed. "I am."

I almost choked on my own saliva at him. My eyes jerked over to him. "What?"

Kade blinked back at me. "You didn't think I just wanted to take you to dinner, did you? I'm getting you whatever you want. You deserve it all."

I almost gave myself a headache as I shook my head in protest. "You're not spending that type of money on me."

He looked as if he'd expected my argument. "It's too late, sweetheart. The pickup time is in thirty minutes for your phone. I got you a tablet and some cases, as well. I know how clumsy you are. There are some stores nearby I want to take you to before the movie, too."

My eyes nearly bulged out of my head in shock. "You did what?" I couldn't keep my grip on the fork, so I placed it down. "You didn't have to. I didn't want you to. That's your money."

"And, I want to spend it on you." His brow raised at me. "Besides, my money is your money, too. You're not going to hurt my bank account, sweetheart, trust me." He chuckled, but my lips remained in a thin line of distaste.

I was beyond grateful, but it still felt wrong. It felt weird, to be loved this much. To be cared about this much. When I looked into his eyes, I could see how badly he wanted to do this. But, he didn't have to buy my love. We could sit in a patch of grass for hours, just talking, and I would cherish those memories for the rest of my life.

I ate my fries in silence. I knew that Kade wanted to say something to warm me up to his kindness, but I just needed a minute to accept it. The fact that someone else truly cared about me in the way he did made my mind swivel on the wheel of disbelief, and her hatred. Even hundreds of miles away, Diane Drude was still fucking with my head.

His unrelenting stare began to burn into the top of my head, before I heard him clear his throat. "I'm sorry if I upset you."

My head snapped up at him. My mind burned without pause as I thought over my next words. "No, you didn't upset me. I'm just confused, is all." I tried to pull a smile, but it didn't hold up too long. "It just feels weird to have someone do this type of thing for me."

Kade averted his eyes as he processed my words. Watching him continue to nibble on his cheese-stick caused my smile to return. "I understand that. I should have asked you before I did it, but I knew you'd reject it." The apologetic look in his gaze deepened. "I'm sorry. You're just always doing shit for other people, and I thought you deserved this. For someone else to do things for you."

My heart squeezed at his words. They were winning a battle against my mothers. "Thank you." My smile built as I tried to lighten the mood. "I promise I won't break the phone." It must have worked because, Kade's chest soon bounced with a chuckle.

We finished up our food, but continued to talk between bites. Up went his brows everytime we caught the others staring. It was a nice sight for me.

"We should get going to pickup your phone," Kade suggested, pulling out his wallet.

I stood from my seat, nodding. "Let's go." He threw out enough bills for our food, and the tip.

We made it right on time to the store. As soon as we pulled into a parking spot, I felt my stomach churn with both excitement, and anticipation. As soon as the employee came toward us, he handed Kade the bag, which he placed into my lap right away.

I couldn't keep my eyes from the bag until my curiosity got the best of me. I tried my hardest to not bounce out of the seat with my excitement.

My eyes jumped up to him in surprise. "Wow, you got the cases in orange."

He chuckled at me. "I already knew it was your favorite color, baby."

I peered back inside before pausing. "Wait. So, you asked earlier for no reason?"

"Maybe." His lips twitched. "I knew all of the answers to your questions, already. I love hearing you talk, though, so I kept asking them."

My brow raised at him. "You knew them all?"

"Mhm. A fuck-ton more, too."

At his cockiness, my smile grew. "Oh, yeah?"

He shrugged. "Try me," he offered.

I rolled my eyes, shifting to face him. "Favorite animal?"

"Dolphins, or bunnies."

I scoffed. "That was easy." I thought over it before asking, "Favorite author?"

"J.C. Peers," he responded before glancing to me. "That reminds me. I ordered you all of their books. I'm sorry that the delivery is taking so long, but they should be at your house by the end of this week. I got them signed, too."

I blinked with shock. "What?"

He chuckled at me, nodding at me to continue. "Keep going, sweetheart."

Past my surprise, I managed to find another question. "What's my favorite position to sleep in?"

"Your side, or on top of me."

My lips pulled into a smile, my chest fluttering. "Favorite artist?" This was a trick question since I didn't have one, but I didn't think he'd remember.

He chuckled at me. "You don't have one, baby. You like classical music, and violin covers of every song you do like."

"How do I take my coffee?" Another trick question.

His chuckle sounded through the car. "You don't drink coffee, sweetheart. It upsets your stomach. You only like tea. Your favorite is Rooibos."

I frowned at how accurate he was. "Favorite candle scent?" I paused, thinking it over. He was answering too quick for me to catch up with. "And, my favorite drink? Is it soda or juice or..." I shrugged, dangling a grin his way.

His smirk only built at me. "You pretend to like anything vanilla someone gives you to be nice, but your exact favorite is the warm vanilla sugar." With an amused shake of his head, he added, "And, you love cranberry or apple juice the most, but when you do drink soda, you don't drink it with ice."

My jaw fell before I clicked it shut. Well. "What's something that I do when I'm anxious?"

His head cocked at me, his grin hanging. "Easy. You chew on ice, you start pinching the skin on your fingers, or you start playing with any strand you can find on your clothes." Just as my lips parted, he added, "And, you like to have gum, or snap a rubber band to your wrists to help your attacks. That's why I always keep them in my car."

The shock hit me hard. My mouth hung before I glanced around the car. "Wait. You keep an extra pack of gum, and rubber bands in here for me?"

He nodded, reaching over. In the console were several packs of my favorite flavor of gum, and a couple rubber bands.

My insides melted to mush at it. "Kade." I'd never even realized it was there, because I hadn't had an attack in weeks. Knowing it was here was a reassurance, though.

His hand stroked at my jaw, a soft smile ringing across his lips. "I know classical music helps calm you during an attack, too. I ordered a record player for my room, and your favorite songs, too just in case one hits. And, I read that sometimes you just need space, so I cleared out one of the guest rooms just in case you need a minute to yourself, and I bought another record player for that room, too—"

My head was ringing too hard. "Wait, wait," I stopped him. "You..." I couldn't even finish before my chest fell.

He studied over my anxiety, as well, so that he could be a help if an attack did hit.

I didn't say anything. Instead, I unbuckled my seat, leaning forward to grasp him. He caught me, immediately, his arms tightening around me.

His care and generosity was of one I'd never known before. He cared to learn about me, to make me comfortable, and happy. It was only worsening the thump of my heart.

"Thank you," I breathed out, my voice cracking.

His lips went to the side of my head as he hugged me back. "Don't thank me, sweetheart."

"How did you even know all of this?"

He snorted in return. "Sweetheart, you're my favorite person. My only person. Of course I'm going to try to know everything about you."

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the beat of my heart to calm enough. "Thank you for the books, too."

He shook his head, cupping the back of my head to him. "You've been clean for a few months now a couple days ago," he replied, kissing the side of my head, again. "I didn't forget. I wanted to show you how proud I was of you. Because I am. I'm so fucking proud, sweetheart."

It was true, but I hadn't even considered it. I was a few months clean from cutting. The scars remained, but I couldn't dwell on them, or let them take away my pride. It was a big accomplishment for me.

"Thank you," I murmured against his shoulder.

I left one final peck to his lips before I went back to my seat. My eyes were burning with appreciative tears, but I managed to hold them back. I pulled the bag back into my lap, again.

I glanced to Kade, who was like an excited puppy. "Open it."

I pulled out the first thing my fingers touched. It was the tablet. I couldn't help, but bounce with excitement as I unwrapped the plastic. When I finally figured out how to power it on, I felt my stomach turn when I met eyes with Kade.

"Thank you," I awed. "This was so sweet of you."

Before I could let my doubts stop me, I leaned forward to kiss him, again. He returned it, immediately, his neck craning to deepen the kiss. He leaned back enough to say, "I told you to quit thanking me, sweetheart. Just give me some more of those pretty smiles of yours, and I'll be fine."

My lips grew into a smile without my own will. When I finally released him, I went for the phone next. It was completely different from my own. I almost felt stupid trying to use it in front of Kade before I finally figured it out.

He began to drive us to the nearest group of shops as I programmed the phone. I didn't have many contacts so it didn't take too long before I had them all in.

I was tapping away at my tablet when I felt the car stop. I glanced up to the buildings, then him. I already knew what he was up to.

"Are you sure?" I questioned. "You've already did so much."

His eyes reassured me just as much as his words did. "I've already told you I want to, baby. You deserve to spoiled with every single thing you want. Just let me do this for you today."

The plead in his voice caused my smile to grow. "Fine, but I'm not getting a lot. I'm serious."

His grin widened. "All I heard was a fine, so that's fine with me." Before I could respond, he was already out of the car.

The next couple of hours went by quicker than I thought. I tried to get the smallest things but Kade continued to grab the things he saw me eyeing. By the time we left, both of our hands were full. Seeing the satisfied expression on his face, and knowing that he had got the things I secretly wanted helped my mood, though.

I nibbled on my pretzel, as he placed the bags in his trunk. I had practically tripped on the concrete to get to the food court before it closed.

When Kade got inside the car, he turned to face me. His smile was heavenly. "Thank you for letting me do this."

His eyes gleamed with happiness and it warmed my heart. "Thank you for doing this. I'm paying for the movie, though. No argument."

I could tell he wanted to argue, but decided against it. He tugged on his bottom lip to suppress a laugh, shaking his head at me.

I offered my pretzel toward him. "Want a bite?" He'd already eaten half of it.

He nodded, and bit off of the large pretzel. Watching his jaw move was mesmerizing for a minute before I snapped myself out of it.

We were headed to the movie theater when I felt my phone buzz. The facial identification was a strange feature, but Kade reassured I'd get used to it before I even knew it.

Raven- Guess what?

Me- Yes?

Raven- I saw Luke and Maggie getting all close, and personal earlier.

My eyes widened in shock at the message. Out of all the things I expected, that wasn't it. I responded quickly with 'what' and impatiently waited.

I almost dropped the phone once I felt it buzz.

Raven- Yep! They were arguing about something in the halls—I showed up toward the end because I was running late for Psych. but it doesn't matter, anyway—next thing I know, they were literally against each other. Luke had his arms around her.

Me- And, Maggie didn't amputate his hands?

Raven- I was waiting for the bloodbath, but it never happened! She didn't even try to stop him until she noticed me!

Me- What do you think it means?

Raven- They definitely fucked.

Me- Raven, no way. There's no way.

Raven- What? Everyone said the same about you and Kade, now look at you two.

Me- True...

Raven- Gotta go. Work. I'll call you later. Love you babes.

Me- Love you back.

I couldn't help but reread over our messages in shock. Maggie and Luke? My mind couldn't process the thought of them being anything other than enemies. Maggie didn't even like Kade; what could she possibly want with one of his friends, who was quite evil?

"Are you okay?" Kade caught onto my absence. "You're quiet."

I nodded a little too hard, moving my eyes to him. "I'm fine. Raven just told me something that's...pretty mind blowing."

Kade pulled the car into the movie theater parking lot. "Like what?"

I offered a weak smile, but that was it. It was giving me a headache to just think about, so I didn't think I could talk about it right now.

I shrugged it off until later. "We can talk about it on the ride home," I offered.

His eyes hung with curiosity, but he let it go. I glanced around the nearly vacant parking lot. We decided to go to one of the late showings since shopping took longer than expected.

Kade reached for my hand as soon as he reached my side. The night chill shook at my body, so we quickened up scanning the movie posters.

We finally decided on an action movie. When we went inside, the delicious scent of probably stale popcorn knocked at me. I welcomed it, wholeheartedly There was nothing like the feeling of movie theaters, especially near to empty ones.

I handed the employee my money, and waited for our tickets to print. My body immediately followed the heavenly smelling food. I practically had to bound Kades' hands at his side to pay for the food.

He rolled his eyes at me. "I'm going to get you back for that," he grumbled under his breath, though I knew he wanted me to hear.

My glare traveled toward him. "I warned you."

I held our drinks, while he carried our popcorn, candy, and nachos. I caught him gazing down at the nachos with a softened grin, and my own followed at the memory.

By the time we were seated, the trailers were just rolling around. The room was empty, much to my pleasure. That was the best type of movie experience.

I turned to face him. "I love this," I grinned at Kade like an excited child. "Empty theater, our snacks, us. Just us."

I could only see his silhouette, but his voice was loud and clear. "Just us." I smiled as he leaned over. His lips covered mine in a matter of seconds.

It remained