It was hard to explain what kissing Louis felt like. She had never kissed anyone, so she didn't expect it to feel as weird as that. His lips were soft, and he kissed her softly, cuddling her lips with his. Her heart began to beat faster, and her palms released excess sweat. Vera didn't know how she was to feel or what she was to do. They were so close to each other. So close that she could feel his warmth, through her clothes. It awakened new feelings in her— feelings she never thought she'd have. His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer, and the other cupped her face, tilting her neck upwards. Although she didn't know how to kiss, she parted her lips, and their kiss got deeper. If there was anything she knew, it was that she wanted the kiss badly at the moment. The both of them stayed there, kissing right in front of her house. For Vera, it was a very magical feeling, as the wind moved through her hair, and clothes. The trees whispered to each other, and the kiss was purely romantic, nothing sexual. Her first kiss was something memorable, but to Mark, it was nothing. He could see her opening up, letting down her guard. She had been a little hard to get at first, but he guessed girls would always be girls. They always fell for lies. Finally, they parted, and he looked into her eyes. Her cheeks were pink, and her gaze was stuck on his shoes. "So, there you have it. Don't bother me again. It was better than a dared kiss, I guess." She said, and looked up at him. "Goodnight, Louis." She added, flatly, and turned to leave, but he held onto her wrist. "What more do you want?" She asked, closing her eyes. "Date me." He said, and she looked at him again. In his eyes was deep affection. Vera couldn't see past his facade. He looked so real to her. "What?" She whispered. "I want you to date me. I really like you, Vera. I really do. I'm for real. I… I want us to be together." He said, and she looked away. "Don't look away, Vera. Don't you just want to try? Maybe you don't like me now, but you could fall for me later. I promise you won't regret this." He said, and Vera gave a frustrated sigh. "No. I can't." She replied, and took two steps away from him.It drove Mark crazy. What the heck did she want? "Why not?" He asked, trying to look tortured, but he didn't need to. He was already tortured. "I'm not ready for a relationship. I'm… I'm fine just the way I am, okay? I… I just don't want to be acquainted with someone romantically yet. I'm not ready, and you shouldn't force me. I'm really sorry. I already let you know from the beginning that this… you might not even like being in a relationship with me, you…" "I will. I really will. You're the one I want, so why wouldn't I like being in a relationship with you?" "Maybe you're in love with something about me, not me." "Not true, and not fair. You can't just say that." "Look, Louis, I'm sorry, okay? I'm really sorry." She said, taking more steps away from me. With one last guilty look, she turned away, and walked into her house quickly. She closed the door, and locked it, before going to her room. Vera dumped her bag, and suit jacket on a chair in her room, and fell onto the bed. Thinking about it almost made goosebumps run along her skin. He had asked her out, and had kissed her, all on the same day. The whole time, her heart had been beating like crazy, and it felt like she'd never be able to breathe properly anymore. She had no idea a kiss could be so nerve-wracking. After thinking about it for half an hour, Vera took a shower, and went down the stairs to make something quick for dinner. She checked for cereals because she had no strength left for cooking, but ended up making ground chicken tacos. Even as she ate, all she kept feeling was Louis' lips pressed against hers. They were warm, soft… She shook her head, trying not to think about it, and focus on her tacos instead. After her dinner, she went to bed, and floated off the sleep quickly, after all the stress of the day. However, Louis haunted her in her dreams. In her dreams, it wasn't her he was kissing, but another woman, and no matter how she tried to talk to him, or call him back; he ignored her, making her feel guilty for not appreciating his feelings. She didn't know why she didn't want to date him. Was she truly not ready? Did she just feel she didn't know him enough? She knew she didn't have to like him romantically. After all, she liked being with him… Vera opened her eyes, and stared at her ceiling. It was morning already, but it felt like she just closed her eyes for a few minutes. She got up lazily, and began to prepare for work. At work, she felt oddly depressed. Why she was so down, she didn't know. Was it the guilt, or something else? She couldn't seem to guess why she'd feel so down. After work, she took a cab home, so she'd avoid him. At work, she hadn't felt the urge to do anything. She had just wanted to sit somewhere, and stare into blank space. As the taxi driver drove, Vera looked out at the streets, letting the breeze play in her hair. As she approached the cafe she met Louis, she happened to see him sitting on that very spot they had met. He had two cups in front of him, and it seemed like he was waiting for her to pass by. It made her feel all the more guilty, and as the car passed by, she turned around to look at him. Then she discovered the reason for her depression all day. She had fallen for him.