A/N: Hello everyone!! Gosh, it's been so long and I'm so sorry for that, but I really needed to take a break from wattpad and focus on school. But now I'm back, and I'm very excited for these new chapters! This one especially is a very important chapter and will definitely be a huge turning point in the book. You'll find out a lot about Collin! I hope it's a good chapter, but it's in Collin's POV and since I'm not a guy I don't know how well I did portraying him. Fingers crossed! Now, for all you "Collanie" shippers, this one's for you!!

**Picture of the second part of the photo shoot**

Collin's POV

There were two times in my life when I was shocked to the point of not being able to speak. One was when I was when I heard the news of my father's death, and the next was when I got the news that Royal Studios wanted to sign me on. Needless to say I believed I had a great grasp of how to handle shocking situations.

That belief was shattered to shreds the second I saw Steph.

Sure, she was gorgeous normally, but she was especially breathtaking all dressed up in a gown. The light blue of her dress seemed to make her skin glow under the lights, and her usually windblown red hair was in a complex updo that revealed the delicate slope of her neck. Small diamond earrings hung on her ears, and silver heels were on her feet making her legs look even longer.

I didn't realize how long I'd been staring until Paolo, the photographer, yells out to me.

"COLLIN! I understand the girl's stunning, but could you please snap out of it and listen so I can go over what we're doing?"

I feel a light blush on my cheeks, and clear my throat to hide my embarrassment. Steph laughs softly and walks over with me to where Paolo is standing with his hands on his hips in front of his camera.

"Listen up kids, because I'm about to tell you everything we're going to do. First, we're going to do restaurant shots to showcase the clothes in a high class environment. Then, we'll get shots of you two dancing and having fun in the gazebo outside. I have people putting finishing touches on it while we do this and while twilight comes, so that way we have the perfect lighting for the romantic aura I need. Any questions?" He says.

"Um actually," Steph replies timidly. "I just wanted to know, what do you want us to do while we're here at the table? Do we just pretend to eat?" Paolo shakes his head while laughing softly in a teasing manner.

"No dear. I want you to pertend that Collin here is your boyfriend and that this is a romantic date he's taking you on. So, basically, hold hands, look all lovey dovey and crap like that, ok?" He tells her.

Steph starts to look a little pale, so I walk over and cradle her face in my hands. Her big, trusting blue eyes look up at me.

"Steph, it's a super simple, totally platonic and fun photo shoot. All we have to do is act like we're love sick fools that can't keep their eyes off each other. We just have to act and show off the clothes in both settings. Don't worry, it's truly not as scary as you think, I promise." I tell her earnestly.

Her eyes seem to cloud sadly for a second, but they immediately brighten again and she smiles and nods. Must have imagined it.

"Alright," Paolo says into his megaphone. "Now that everything is settled, I need my two models to make their way to the table and for the lighting crew to dim the lights. I only want a small glow illuminating them. Remember people, we're going for romantic!"

Everyone gets to work, and Steph and I sit at the table. I fix my cuff links and look over at Steph to see her adorable nose scrunched up at the scene in front of her with confusion and a little fear. I put my hand on top of hers, and she snaps her head back to me with wide doe eyes.

"Stop stressing about this. I promised you it wouldn't be hard and completely painless, and I've never broken my promises to you have I?" I ask her gently. She tries to shy away, but I need her to look at me and trust that I would never put her in an uncomfortable situation if I could help it.

She stares at me for a while, but gradually relaxes and nods. I smile and give Paolo the signal that we're ready. He yells out to everyone to be quiet so he could work, and the lighting crew dims the lights until we have a very romantic atmosphere.

Steph fidgets not really knowing what to do, and I smile and take both of her hands this time. Her beautiful eyes snap to mine and I remind my heart that it needs to calm down if I'm going to get through this alive.

"So, I want you to start out by smiling secretively." I say.

She nods and takes a deep breath before looking at me from under her long eyelashes, and giving me a sexy smile. I gulp and pray to God that the turmoil inside of me doesn't show. I give her my own sexy smirk, and I'm pleased immensely at the tinge of pink that spreads on her cheeks. Just as I'm about to tease her, though, Paolo yells out in that stupid megaphone.

"I LOVE IT! GIVE ME MORE SEXINESS!"

I try. So does Steph. But how can you not laugh after hearing something like that from a grown man whose waving his hands around dramatically? Before long Steph and I are gasping for air after laughing so hard. Turns out Paolo didn't mind because we looked like we were having fun at a nice date. But of course, we later had to give him what he wanted and Steph had to sit on my lap for a few photos while I fed her chocolate cheesecake. Come to think of it, I think the only reason she didn't resemble a tomato all through it was because she was getting food out of it.

When we finally finished the restaurant photo shoot, the whole crew walked outside for the second part of the photo shoot. We walked until we reached a clearing that had many decorated trees in the background with the moon directly above. And while that was all beautiful, the best part was the gazebo.

It was full of brilliant lights surrounding a metal gazebo with lanterns on either side. The lights on the sides of it twisted upwards until they reached the top where a mass of lights were creating the effect of a chandelier. A dance floor was in the center of it and the traditional bench of a gazebo was absent. It was truly magnificent, and the darkness of twilight allowed it to shine to its fullest potential.

I watch as Steph gasps in delight and twirls inside of the gazebo like a joyful child. My gaze softens and I laugh softly at her actions. God, she is so darn cute.

"Okay people," Paolo says impatiently. "I need the makeup artists to touch up Collin and Stephanie, then I need you guys to step into the gazebo and get into a dancing position, alright?"

We all nod, and once we get the touch ups Steph and I go into the gazebo where I can finally do what I've been dying to do since we first became friends. I put my arms around her tiny waist, and hold the girl that's begun to mean more to me than ever before.

Paolo claps his hands to get everyone to be quiet. "Alright! Someone put the music on, and as for my models, I want you two to dance and give me romance! I want to see the love in your eyes! You are two high school kids that are in love, and at a dance where you decide to go out and have a private dance. Let the music guide your emotions!"

The moment he's done someone turns on the stereo, and Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran comes on. I look into Steph's big, twinkling blue eyes as the first few lines come on.

When your legs don't work like they used to before
And I can't sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks?

I twirl Steph, and suddenly, it's like no one's here but us as our foreheads touch and we stare deeply into each others eyes.

And, darling, I will be loving you 'til we're 70
And, baby, my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Well, me-I fall in love with you every single day
And I just wanna tell you I am

So, honey, noow
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are

She giggles as I dip her, and the silk of her dress caresses my arm as I bring her back into my arms. I settle us back into our past position with our foreheads touching. She smiles softly, and I whisper the next lines to her.

When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades
And the crowds don't remember my name
When my hands don't play the strings the same way (mmm...)
I know you will still love me the same

'Cause, honey, your soul could never grow old, it's evergreen
And, baby, your smile's forever in my mind and memory
I'm thinking 'bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe it's all part of a plan
Well, I'll just keep on making the same mistakes
Hoping that you'll understand

That, baby, now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beating heart
Thinking out loud
Maybe we found love right where we are (oh, oh)

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, lo-ud

So, baby, now
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Oh, darling, place your head on my beating heart
I'm thinking out loud
But maybe we found love right where we are
Oh, baby, we found love right where we are
And we found love right where we are

The song ends and we stop still staring into each other's eyes. And just like that, it hits me. I've been guarding my heart for so long after Nicky's deception, that I forgot how to let go and risk love. With Steph, I feel free in a way I never have before. And yeah, I may be a simple 17 year old, but I know that this girl could very well be my forever. So I do the only thing that makes sense after this epiphany.

I kiss her.

****

(Lol, I'm not evil enough to leave it like that! So here you go!)

I can vaguely here Paolo flashing like crazy with his camera, but all I can think of is the soft texture of Steph's lips and how sweet she tastes. It's like pure honey, and I'm instantly intoxicated with it.

I put my hands on either side of her face and move my head to the side for better access. She doesn't respond at first, and my heart beats rapidly at the thought that she might push me away. But just like that she's kissing me back with her hands digging into my hair. I hug her tightly to me as we continue kissing, completely ignoring the outside world.

It's simply us against the world, and a simple yet somehow completely complex mating of our lips. I know we'll need to face the outside world and the problems that come with it soon, but for right now all I want is to stay in our private bubble and kiss her all night long.

I move my lips against her very addicting ones a last time, before stopping to breathe and even then I keep our foreheads connected and my arms around her.

It's quiet for a while, when suddenly Paolo decides to break the silence.

"Wow. I haven't seen chemistry like that since I was forced to watch The Notebook by my girlfriend."

Stephanie turns beet red and tries to hide her face in my chest, while I chuckle in amusement. Paolo tell everyone to clean it up and I look back at Steph.

"Why don't we go change and after I'll bring you to a favorite spot of mine in New York and we can talk with some good food?" I ask. She takes a moment then nods in agreement.

"Ok, lets do it. I hate to part with this outfit, but these heels are killing me." She says, wincing a little as she massages her feet.

I laugh and guide her back to the building where we get on the elevator and go back to the fifth floor. We step out, but but just as we're about to head into the changing rooms, my friend Max comes out dressed for the next photo shoot in swimming trunks.

Now, Max is a great friend. He really is. But when I saw him look over at Steph and smile flirtatiously, puffing his chest to make his six pack more prominent, I forgot about all the good times we've had and started thinking of ways to murder him without anyone finding his body.

"Hello there," he says while purposely making his Italian accent heavier. "I am Maximilliano Ricci, but everyone calls me Max. What is your name bella regazza?"

Steph blushes and I count backwards from ten very slowly.

"I'm Stephanie, but my friends all call me Steph." She answers. I get an immense satisfaction at how she presses herself into my side and farther away from Max.

Max smiles big, and I think about the satisfaction I would get from knocking all his pearly whites out. He raises an eyebrow at my no doubt angry looking face, and smiles even bigger when he realizes I'm jealous.

You see, he might flirt and joke around, but when one of us really likes a girl. The bro code immediately comes into effect and the others back off. So he immediately tones down the flirtatious smile to one that nothing more than friendly, and I smile in satisfaction as he says a pleasant goodbye and heads toward the set to get ready.

Steph and I finally change, and we head toward the car waiting outside.

"What, no limousine today?" She teases. I smile as we get into the car and I whisper where to go to the driver.

"Well, I can't be spoiling you left and right or you'll forget what it's like to live normally." I tell her. I brighten at her sweet laugh, and I wonder how I ever convinced myself that dealing with Nicky's betrayal by myself was better than being with an amazing girl like Steph.

"So," she says settling herself on the leather seats. "Where are we headed?"

"If I told you it wouldn't be a suprise now would it?" I ask, laughing at her pouty face while simultaneously wanting to bite her lush lower lip just to see what she'd do.

She crosses her arms and turns to face me completely.

"Can you at least give me a hint?" She begs. I tap my finger on my chin, pretending to ponder over it.

"It's a big place with lots of room, and it can get quite loud. It's an iconic place in New York. Hundreds of people visit every day." I tell her.

Steph frowns in thought, and I smile at how adorable she is. I just hope she'll accept me after I tell her my whole story.

The car stops at a restaurant first so we can get some food to go, then after driving some more with both of our stomachs growling at the smell, we finally reach our destination. I get out first and I watch her expression as she steps out.

Steph smiles big and looks at me while shaking her head with mirth.

"Central Park!" She squeals in delight.

"Yes," I say with a bright smile. I lover how her pure happiness shines through whenever I do something simple like this. It shows me the beautiful person she is inside and out.

Steph claps her hands excitedly and puts her arm through mine. We begin to walk slowly with our food bags swinging on our arms toward a big tree that offered a lot of space and privacy. Perfect for what I needed.

We reached the tree and sat down next to its big roots, and we ripped into our food since our hunger overrides the need to talk at this point. When we finish I throw our trash away as I collect my thoughts, and finally sit in front of Steph. Her face looks back at me anxiously, and I put a hand on her knee to calm her down.

"Hey, there's no need to worry so much. Just breathe in and out, and let out all the nerves. I'm going to explain a lot of things to you, and I'm going to need for you to simply listen and not speak until the end so I can get it all out. Is that okay?" I ask softly.

Steph takes a deep breath and nods, and I wipe my sweaty hands on my jeans as I begin to tell her my story.

"I used to be a big daddy's boy. All I ever did was play with my dad and get his approval. Sure, I loved my mom deeply, but there was a bond with my dad that couldn't be explained that I just didn't have with my mother. The only other person I had that bond with was my brother."

Steph cocks her head to the side, silently asking me for more but keeping her promise to not speak. I smile softly and continue.

"My older brother was Caleb Jacobs. I never talked about him because I wanted at least that part of my life to be private. He was three years older than me and he was such an amazing person. We were so young, yet he already exuded power and got respect from other kids. I looked up to him just as much as I did my dad, and all three of us were inseparable. My mother used to call us the three musketeers because of it. He and my dad encouraged me early on to put videos on YouTube of me singing covers of songs. By the time I was six I had three thousand followers. Then, on the day after my seventh birthday they brought me to my Noah's house for a sleepover. I realized I had forgotten my phone in the car, and I used Noah's to ask Caleb and dad to bring it back."

I stop for a second to catch my breath as the terrible memories assault me.

"They turned back, but on the way a van crashed into them. The worst part is that the van had been carrying gallons of gasoline since the brothers on it was going on a road trip. The brothers survived because one woke up and dragged the other out. Caleb and my dad both died that night. When the van exploded and created a fire, it was hotter on my brother's side than my dads so he was just a mangled, burnes mess by the time the police got there. We weren't even allowed to see the body because the police deemed it such a massacre, that it would be sick to let us watch it. My dad was slightly better, so we could see him and it was still horrific. I've never forgotten my mother's sobs at seeing it."

My voice catches and I look up to stop the tears that are begging to be let out. But I can't let them out. That's one thing I learned quickly to survive with the never ending pain.

"I spent two years blaming myself for their deaths; I couldn't look at an instrument without breaking down. But one day, when I was nine, my mom took me into her arms and held me tightly. She said: Collin, we've got to move on. This is not healthy for either of us, and it's just not the way they would want us to be. So clean yourself up and get your guitar, because tonight you're singing again. After that, everything fell into place. I found that by singing I could feel them next to me, and for months I sang like crazy because I was so addicted to the comforting feeling. Then, on my fourteenth birthday, Noah and I got signed into the record label and we were ecstatic thinking we'd finally made it big. But then they began controlling us, and I saw how truly wicked they are when they published the "terrible story" of my dad and brother's death. It was like all of a sudden, the pain I had suppressed for so long came back, and I couldn't breath from it. That is when I met Nicky."

I watch Steph's face cloud with surprise and a little sadness. I take her hand in mine to make sure she knows that it's in the past and simply a story to me by now.

"Nicky was a ray of light when my life was brought back into darkness. I shared everything with her, things I hadn't even told Noah, and I began thinking we were in love and that nothing could change that. On our two year anniversary, when I was sixteen, I came to her apartment with food intent on making a romantic dinner for us to confess my love to her. I had told her I was going to be away on business so it could be a suprise since I thought she was going to be at a shoot that day. I opened the door with the key she'd given me for whenever I wanted to crash there, and I saw what crushed me for the next few months. Nicky on the couch making out with one of my closest friends with both of their tops off. I was completely crushed! The one person I'd let in after so many years turned out to be just another backstabber. She of course tried to defend herself, but I'd seen everything and there was no denying it. I was a wreck for four months, until my mom came with my grandmother for reinforcement. You have to understand, my grandmother is a very scary lady. She's simply not someone you want to cross. She came in with fire in her eyes that day, and dragged me to the bathroom by the ear forcing me to take a shower, shave, and put on some nice clothes. Then, she force fed me, and slowly over the course of a week brought me out of my shell and taught me to love and trust again. Steph, I haven't been able to date in a long time because my heart is so scarred. But I'm willing to take the chance with you if you're willing. So what do you say? Will you, Stephanie Coleman, be my girlfriend and see where this leads?"

I look at her with my heart in my eyes, hoping with everything in me that she'll accept. She looks at me expressionless for a moment, then smiles brightly and winds her arms around my neck.

"Only if you promise to kiss me again." She says mischievously.

I breath out in relief and smile pecking her nose softly with my lips.

"Like that?" I ask in her ear. She raises an eyebrow.

"No, like this." She whispers and plants her lips on mine.

We kiss softly under the moonlight, and my heart beats loudly at this turn of events. I know this won't be easy, but Steph is worth it in every way. I'll just have to prove to her every day that I'm worth her attention. And as I bring her closer, I smile as the thought of how to get started tomorrow comes to my mind. This is going to be interesting.

***

A/N: Hello lovely people! I missed each and every one of you, and I can't tell you how much it means that new readers are checking out my book and voting and commenting. I honestly never expected this much great feedback. So thank you very much!

So how do you guys feel about Collin's speech?

What do you think he's planning?

Did you like the photo shoot?

Any guesses on the unknown POV?

There's a lot more to come, and I'm excited for you all to read it! Remember an early update comes if I get 10 votes! And please leave your comments, I love reading them so much!

Hej hej!(goodbye in Swedish)

P.s. The song at the top is what plays during the second part of the photo shoot, Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran