Zoey and Jace pulled up to their destination a hidden cave nestled beneath a canopy of trees. As they stepped out, Zoey looked around, raising an eyebrow.
"What are you going to do? Kill me or something?" she teased.
Jace chuckled. "No. I figured you might need a break, so… I did this."
Zoey stepped into the cave and gasped. A picnic was laid out perfectly, filled with all of her favorite things snacks, drinks, a cozy blanket. Everything.
"Oh my gosh," Zoey said, her eyes wide. "How did you know?"
Jace smirked. "Had a little help from three very persistent girls."
Zoey laughed, the tension in her chest loosening for the first time in a while. "It's beautiful, Jace. Thank you."
"You're welcome, Zoey. Now sit down and eat something."
"Okay, okay," she said, still laughing as they settled onto the blanket.
They spent the next few minutes talking and laughing, getting to know each other in a way that felt easy, natural. It was like they'd known each other forever.
"You know," Jace said, eyes locked on hers, "I never thought I'd fall for a girl in a day."
Zoey smiled, her heart fluttering. "And I never thought I'd fall for a guy in a day either."
Their lips met, soft and tentative at first. Then deeper. One kiss turned into another, and soon they were wrapped up in each other. Clothes were shed, and the world faded away.
Afterward, Zoey laid next to him, breathless and content. "That was amazing."
"Yeah," Jace whispered, kissing her forehead.
They stayed like that for a while before reality called them back.
"We should probably go before everyone starts worrying," Zoey said, sitting up.
"Yeah," Jace agreed, pulling on his shirt. "Come on."
They got dressed and headed back to her parents' house. As Jace pulled up to the front, he turned to Zoey.
"Look, I know things have been hard. But you've gotta go in there and give them a chance. Get to know them. Talk to them. Train. I know it won't be easy, but remember you didn't kill your foster family. That wasn't you. That was something out of your control. But if you train, you'll be able to control it. You won't have to hurt anyone ever again."
Zoey nodded slowly, his words settling into her chest. "Okay," she said.
"I'll be right here if you need me," Jace added.
Taking a deep breath, Zoey walked inside. She let Jace's words guide her as she opened up to her parents, hugged her little sister, and started letting her walls down.
"Your training begins tomorrow," said Sebastian, her father.
"Right. And your friends will be there. Including Jace," Sarah added with a gentle smile.
"Okay. Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad."
They both smiled, and Sarah's eyes began to well with tears.
Zoey might've lost a family but she had gained one too.