Chapter 52): 4..3..2..1.. (4)

Chapter 52): 4..3..2..1.. (4)

(Aged Carl just for some more believable things, everyone else is the same though)

{I own nothing but my own ideas and OC character's.}

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"Wow, you are really excited huh?" Carl asked with a laugh as he slipped on his shoes.

"Of course I am." Sophia said as she bounced in the seat she was sitting on, "This is my first time going to the not so mysterious country club that you three are apart of. I can't wait to see it."

Today she was joining the three of them there, Kassidi's parents were at home with her new baby sister and she was getting annoyed with the crying, so the group was spending the time at the country club. Kassidi was using her privileges to get Sophia inside, something she could have always done, but they just reached that point in their friendship where she got invited.

Carl was just happy the two were actually getting closer, they even spent some time together without him or Jordan, so now when they had their guy time they got they girl time. Something Kassidi loved saying she could do, they did everything from getting their nails done to shopping for hours, he was actually really thankful for Sophia doing that.

Kassidi was one of the people they meant when someone said 'Shop until you dropped', Kassidi didn't drop though, no she just seemed to grow stronger the more time she got a chance to shop.

Shuddering at the thought Carl spoke again as he put on his last show, "It's not that big of a deal."

"Says the one who gets to spend time there whenever he wants. Don't treat us lowly peasant like that."

He rolled his eyes at her and let her have that as they walked out his room, school had just finished and summer was here, technically they were at the end of spring, but it was summer break. "Har. Har. You will see that it is just like any other place, or at least that is how I see it."

"*Cough* Elitist *Cough*" 

He gave her a deadpan stare before opening the front door, outside William was already waiting next to the car door, it was thrown open though by an excited Kassidi who ran up and hugged him. He chuckled some hugging her tight and spinning her around, the sound of Sophia gaging next to them had them moving apart to look at her.

"What? I was just gagging at the sound of the birds, they annoy me." She said looking at them nonchalant like.

Kassidi giggled as she shook her head at Sophia while holding his hand, "Whatever you say. Are you ready for some fun, I even booked a spa room for the two of us later tonight."

Sophia nodded happy, "Yeah, I can't wait. This is going to be amazing."

Carl didn't participate in the talk he just watched them while fixing the cashmere cap on Kassidi's head, it was a soft and all black with a little black puff ball in top of it. She gave him a smile after he fixed it before kissing his cheek, he smiled back before pulling her towards the car giving Sophia no other choice but to follow them into the door William held open.

Sitting inside he held on to Kassidi's hand as she kept talking to Sophia, he didn't interrupt them but messaged Jordan that they were on their way, he then sat back enjoying the soft music playing. Although her attention was on Sophia she would squeeze his hand and send him smiles, she had gotten the flowers this morning and was happy to put the in the vase by her beside, she loved them.

She didn't expect him to send them every Monday, and didn't ask if he could keep affording it, she was just enjoying it, even if they someday stopped she was just happy to know that he really cared enough to do it.

Soon they reached the club, Carl stepped out first and held his hand out for Kassidi to get out she beamed at him and stood next to his as they waited for Sophia to follow her out which was only seconds later.

++++++

"They seem to be getting along great. I figured that with everything between you three, they would be at more odds." Jordan said as he slipped his smoothie.

Carl shrugged looking at the laughing girls, "Beats me. I just figured since Sophia and me are still friends that they worked out the differences. Sophia doesn't hold feelings for me anymore, or at least none I have seen, so that could be a big reason."

"The way you and Kassidi have been working these past couple of weeks I can guess why. You two are dating but haven't even confirmed it yet, when will you do that by the way?"

Carl sighed, even he didn't know really when, he was over the whole Monica thing he was actually really good, but he never asked Kassidi again... actually he knew why he didn't. It was because he was scared, her rejection the first time had left a shadow in his heart, it was keeping him from asking again.

She said she wanted him to be happy when he asked again, and he was happy he really was, but there was still the fear that she didn't see him that way, so he was hesitant to bring it up again.

"Stop being a coward." Jordan's voice brought him out of his inner monologue making him look over, "You two will never be together if you keep acting that way, just ask the girl already. It is clear as day to anyone who sees you two that she will say yes. Man up Gallagher."

Carl chuckled and nodded, but he didn't go ask immediately, no he was going to wait just a little longer for that.

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(Kassidi POV)

"Has he asked yet?" Sophia asked as they sat down to their spa appointment, the boys were playing basketball at the moment.

Kassidi wanted to watch Carla and cheer him on as Cody and Brandon had come by to make a five on five game, but their appointment was already set so she instead was here with Sophia, not that she minded. Thinking about Carl asking her out again though made her pout some, "He hasn't asked. I... I'm afraid he won't ask again."

"Ahh come on, that is just crazy. Carl is crazy about you after all."

"Yeah, but he hasn't actually asked me. I mean we are basically together whenever we can be now, and I can tell he still feels the same, but he hasn't asked."

"Maybe he is scared."

"Really you think so?"

Kassidi thought about it, and maybe Sophia was right, although Carl was confident and never really feared anything from what she had seen, maybe he was scared to ask again. Maybe she lost her one shot of him asking her, what if he was only still hanging around her now because he pitied her.

What if that was it! He wasn't scared but actually pitied her and was sticking around just because of that.

Kassidi's chest started to fill tight, she couldn't breath, what if he left her?

"Kassidi!" Sophia's voice broke through the rushing water sound that was happening in her ears.

Kassidi whipped her head towards Sophia, unknowingly tears were streaming down her face as she had been lost in her thoughts, images she didn't even want had entered her mind, "Is he going to leave me?"

The expression broke Sophia's heart as she reached over and held her hand, "Oh, don't think that Kassidi. Carl wouldn't do that, I am sure he is just scared or nervous to ask you there is no reason to actually think like that."

She nodded wiping the tears as gracefully as she could, "Really?"

"Of course. He hasn't left you before, so why would you think that now. You told me how everyone else treated you, has he ever done that?"

Kassidi shook her head, now she was feeling and for thinking that of Carl, it was true that he didn't treat her like anyone else had, and he had already told her that but fears were always there, "You're right, it's just old insecurities coming out. I just wish he would ask me already."

Sophia chuckled while nodding her head, "Don't worry I am sure he will soon."

Kassidi nodded, her heart hoping that the flowers she now received every Monday was a testament to him going to do it soon.

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(Carl POV, really I am loose with these)

Carl panted as he ran on the treadmill, he had just finished up with the five on five with Jordan and them, winning four out of the seven games they played, he didn't feel like he got enough cardio in, hence him doing it now. Jordan was across the room lifting weights with some of the other people who had played with them, they had left when some older teens wanted to play on the court.

From his position Carl saw Kassidi and Sophia walking towards the doors, as if they were connected in some way Kassidi's eyes immediately found him, a giant smile on her face. He smiled back while seeing he still had about twenty minutes left in his run, he was doing incline to make it more challenging.

"Hey Carl! Like my nails?" Kassidi asked as she skipped over next to him, Sophia had caught Jordan and the others so she was standing near them.

Kassidi's nails were a eggshell white, honestly he didn't see anything interesting about them, but he knew how to answer, "Yes, they are beautiful."

She beamed at him, "Thank you. Are you almost done here?"

"Soon. What's up?" He panted out.

"I was hoping we could get dinner, just the two of us and not here." She stated.

Carl saw no problem in that, actually he really wanted it, "Sure thing. Let me finish up here and then shower then we can take off? Oh, but what about Sophia?"

"Don't worry, Jordan is going to make sure she gets home fine." Kassidi waved off his concern.

Looking over he could see that they were already heading out the gym together, from the looks of it though Cody was hitting on Sophia though, he had them stopped at the door and seemed to be trying to impress her. He couldn't really tell from where he was though so he couldn't be sure, he did see she said something back though which had him blushing in either embarrassment or anger.

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The place was at least eighty dollars a plate, all around was a serene atmosphere which let the diners feel at peace, there were no screaming children or people talking above others here. Each table was set with red table cloths and the biggest table could only sit four, it was a nice dressing place type of establishment, one no one he knew from the Southside could get into.

The candles on the table didn't give off any scent, if anything they were just there to be there something that just gave a romantic taste to the table.

Carl's and Kassidi's arms were looped as they walked inside, he smiled over at her finding her very adorable at the moment in the dress she was wearing, it was modest and didn't try to draw to much attention to anything. It was very age appropriate, not something that was to showy and over the top at all, he thought that if angels came down in child form, then she is the perfect image of that.

"How did you get a reservation at the last minute?" Carl asked as he held her chair out for her to sit in getting a small smile in return.

As he took his own seat she answered, "I have a standing reservation here actually. I know we went to the other place last time, but this one and food I actually really enjoy, I thought it could be our place."

Carl smiled taking one of her hands, "Wow. Well if you want this to be our place then it will be our place. So what do they serve here?"

"Oh they have...." She explained everything excitedly to him then slightly leaning across the table as she pointed out menu items to him and also showed him how to pronounce some.

The waiter eventually came and took their orders then left the two of them alone, Carl looked at the smile on he face as she looked back at him, she didn't turn away a minute but kept looking at him like he was everything. The fire that was in his heart was at that moment threatening to burn his heart, his throat was choking cause he was trying to get the words out, why was it so easily last time.

"Kass-- *Cough*," Carl had a puberty moment there as his voice cracked, "Kassidi, so I was thinking about what you said last time, about me having to be happy when you accept my question."

"Yes?" She asked her voice and eyes hopeful.

"Well...Kassidi, since the moment I have met you it has been amazing, you came into my life and gave me something without me even realizing I wanted it. I want to thank you for that really, and I also want you to know that I am over everything that happened with my mom and all that junk.

So Kassidi Aislinn Thompson, will you do me the great honor of becoming my girlfriend?"

A single tear ran down her cheek as she nodded a bright smile on her face as she held his hand tighter then she has ever done, "Of course I will Carl!" She said excitedly.

If this was a movie or something what they would have said would have been loud in the quiet audience allowing the people around them to clap, but the two of them kept it to their table as a moment just for the two of them. They didn't take out their phones to tell anyone else, no they just enjoyed their moment, the two of them in their own little bubble of happiness.

After a nice dinner Carl led Kassidi outside and helped her with her coat before sliding into the car with her, Kassidi clung to his arm but he was holding hers just the same as they sat in the back seat. Looking down at her he could still see the smile that hadn't left her lips since she had accepted his confession.

Chuckling to himself his body shook making her give him a look that read 'What's so funny?' he shook his head and leaned over kissing her cheek, "Nothing, just wondering how I could get so lucky."

Her beaming smile was her answer as she snuggled into his side some more the city lights occasionally lighting up the back of the car, in the front William smiled looking back at the two.

[END OF PART 1, PART 2 IS IN WRITING, BUT THIS IS ALSO ON HIATUS FOR A WHILE AS I AM TRYING TO FIND INSPIRATION FOR IT. THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHAPTER UNTIL I GO BACK TO IT ON BUYME-ACOFFEE/FLAMINGSLINES]