To Consider It a Date (Victoria)

"Great," he chuckled, "I trust you a lot more than some greasy haired guy behind an ice cream counter." In fact, Zander trusted Victoria more than he even trusted himself and not just for choosing a flavour of ice cream.

When she pursed her lips in though, he sighed internally, knowing that she still didn't understand. Would he need to just come out and say it? No, he didn't want to. Victoria was smart enough to figure this out, he knew she was, she was however inexperienced in this area as was he.

He let out a small chuckle at her remark. He knew she didn't say it to be smart, but it could be taken that way and coming from her, it was quite humorous and adorable. "I know," he replied, "and you're the same to me Victoria, but..." but what? What was he going to say?

He had paused just as she spoke and he smiled a sad smile upon learning that he had stumped her. "I just don't know how to tell you this," he sighed, his face in more of a frown now. "I mean, I like you Victoria," his voice was quiet and shaky, "like a lot more than a best friend." He looked down to the ground, afraid that things would get awkward because she only thought of him as a friend. He'd probably ruined their friendship and she'd laugh at him and leave and tell him he was pathetic, even though he knew she wasn't like that.

He started to tell her that he wasn't being mean, but he decided not to and hoped she was somewhat joking as she chastised him. Zander wasn't one for talking back nor was he one for arguing, and it was one of the reasons him and Victoria got along. Neither of them argued. From what he noticed, neither of them had to be right or even have the last say, they just both simply stopped talking and changed the subject if they knew they were to disagree.

Victoria tried to tell him he shouldn't be using the word 'but' as she drug him through the door, but not long after, the reality of what he'd just said hit her. He couldn't deny that it was kind of cute to watch that reality hit her, but it also caused a sinking feeling in his stomach.

He felt incredibly bad for putting her in this situation and immediately regretted what he said. Watching her turn a shade of pink as she admitted her lack of knowledge for how she should answer, he too looked away turning a vivid red. Out the corner of his eye, he could see her turn to the board and he wasn't sure what he should say. Should he move on to another subject? Finally, he decided on an apology. "I'm sorry Victoria," he mumbled softly, "I shouldn't have told you." He knew it was a bad idea but he couldn't help it.

"That one sounds great," he offered her a little smile as she turned to him. Zander shook his head, "You order, I pay." There was no way he'd ever make her pay for anything.

"I know but - okay," he stated, looking towards the board that held all the flavours. She was right, he didn't have to be sorry but he was. He felt bad for putting her in this situation, in this confusing situation. As the neared the front, he kept his eyes on the board, just as she did. He didn't even care about the ice cream, he just wanted to be with her. He didn't know if she was just avoiding conversation now or avoiding this particular conversation, but he never questioned her.

He wouldn't talk until she did.

When they were finally the next ones in line, Victoria had ordered just like her asked her to and she had allowed him to pay just like she asked him to. He knew that knowing her, she'd try to find a way to pay him back some kind of way, which frankly he didn't mind if it was in the form of another cake. He was going to take the tray of ice cream once the guy had served them, but she had grabbed it first and walked over to a window seat which caused Zander to follow her. She was so independent and Zander liked it but he also hated it because he just wanted to be able to treat her with chivalry.

After she passed him his ice cream, he took a bite and decided it was sweet but it was really great and he silently thanked her for picking the flavour, maybe they should always do that - let her pick the flavours that is. He watched her push a strand of hair behind her ear and as she opened her mouth to say something she seemed to close it again. "It's okay Victoria - really," he smiled, "perfectly understandable." Because he kind of felt the same as her right now.

He smiled at her when she was trying to describe her feelings. She seemed to be a bit flustered and it was pretty adorable. When she said she'd leave it to him, what exactly did she mean by that? Zander pondered the things he could say - or ask. "Victoria," he took a deep breath, the voice wavering a bit, "will you be my girlfriend?" If all else fails he could pretend none of this actually happened.

Zander didn't know what had gotten into him and why but when he asked her the question he did not expect a good answer to come from it, especially seeing as how she'd been so confused when he was trying to tell her that he liked her. It wasn't hard to see that the boy was incredibly nervous and possibly scared shitless. His face was red as a fire engine and his heart beat like a thousand race horses pushing to the finish line.

He didn't know what scared him most, the thought of her having an older brother or the thought of how bad her answer to his simple question could be. However, when she said yes, his frown turned into the biggest smile imaginable. He kind of wanted to grab her and hug her and kiss her but he contained his excitement and took a bite of his ice cream instead. She was so sweet and he could see the excitement radiating off of her and he just couldn't find any words to say, he was that happy.

"Of course I'll eat all my ice cream up, you picked it out for me," he let out a small chuckle as he ate another spoonful. "I don't ever expect you to cook me dinner Victoria," Zander said, "not even if we got married sometime in the future." He didn't say it to hurt her feelings and he really hoped he didn't, he just kind of wanted her to know that that was not his expectations. "A woman serves a more important role in relationships than just someone who cooks," he added to make sure that he didn't hurt her. That was something he never ever wanted to do.

Zander tried to stop smiling so huge but he couldn't. He couldn't hide his smile just like he couldn't hide his happiness and quite frankly, he didn't want to. He didn't care who would grow tired of his constant smiles and happiness, but he knew Victoria wouldn't. Or at least he hoped she wouldn't. Zander never had much luck with girls but Victoria had already proven that she was different.

Zander had tossed the marriage word there but he didn't want to toss it around much as it was a large commitment and he'd just asked her out. He knew he'd end up marrying someone, whether or not it was Victoria he didn't know but he'd like to think that it would be. "Well at least let me help," he smiled because he too loved cooking.

"I know you do," he smiled, forgetting that she was teaching law. "Deal," he chuckled, reaching out to shake hands because that was what business people did when they made deals right? When she turned the spoon towards him, he nodded, "Sure." Turning his own spoon he asked if she'd like to try some of his as well.