It All Started With A Dare

Chapter 18.2

We crept down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. I didn't speak until we were safely in the living room, "So, how long are her naps usually?" I questioned.

Caleb grabbed the remote from the table and flipped on the tv. "Two hours,"

Great. I was going to be alone, in a room, with Caleb Hunter, for two hours. There was no way I was going to be able to handle that. "What do you want to watch?" He questioned me.

I came and stood next to him as he scrolled through the different options. I felt his hand reach up to my hair. He twirled a small piece of it around his finger. I turned to him squinting, "What are you doing?"

He shrugged and smiled innocently, his voice coming out sweet, far too sweet for Caleb Hunter, "Nothing,"

I turned back to the tv. My hair tickled as individual strands were being tugged on. I reached my hand up but it was too late, the damage had already been done. My hair fell loosely at my shoulders, my favorite red scrunchie was placed around Caleb's wrist. I gaped at him, "What was that for?" I wanted to yell but Everly was sleeping, so I stayed quiet.

Caleb didn't reply. I attempted to grab my scrunchie from him. He yanked his hand back, "Caleb," I whined, "give it back,"
He shook his head and placed his hand behind his back, trapping my precious scrunchie. I rested my hands on my hips. He really wanted to make this difficult. I lunged for him, my hands reaching around his waist. He shot his hand up in the air and out of my reach. "Caleb!" I complained.

I jumped up, attempting to reach his hand. I managed to grab the scrunchie but couldn't pull it over his wrist. I took another jump. The scrunchie caught on his thumb, ripping out of my hand. My foot collided with the ground, twisting slightly. I went tumbling down. I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist before I could hit the ground. "How are you so clumsy?" Caleb chuckled.

I stood back up, Caleb rested his hands on my waist to stabilize me. I stared at him, not entirely sure how to explain that one. "It's a skill," was the response I decided on, "Can I have my scrunchie back?"

I stared up into his deep blue eyes, they sparkled with mischief. "No," he replied.
I pouted. My poor scrunchie. The mischief faded from his eyes quickly, the grin leaving with it. I tilted my head at him, "What's wrong?"

He shook his head, "What happened with Eliot?"

I frowned, "He still won't talk to me,"

"Are you two dating?"

Where did that question come from? Did he see the kiss? I lowered my head, remembering everything that had happened with Eliot, "No, we aren't," I felt horrible, I had led Eliot on without even realizing.

"Good,"

I didn't even fully comprehend what he had said. I was too busy thinking about how I had hurt Eliot. I felt Caleb lift my chin up with his finger so that I was looking him in the eyes, "Hey, I didn't mean to make you sad," he whispered.

I rubbed my eye and feigned a smile, "It's okay, you didn't,"

He narrowed his eyes at me before sticking the hand with my scrunchie behind his back, "Then I guess you don't need your hair tie back,"

I gaped at him. He simply smirked back. I reached for it, my arms looping around his waist. My face pressed into his chest. "Caleb," I laughed, the corner of my eyes creasing.

He grinned, staring down at me, "There's that smile I like to see,"

"Scrunchie thief," I muttered.

I didn't hear him reply so I pulled away slightly, still close enough for him to have his arms around me. I dropped my hands to my sides. Caleb simply stared at me, a million emotions spread across his features. My eyes locked with his. I bit my lip, unconsciously, which drew Caleb's attention to them. He looked back up to my eyes before glancing at my lips once more. I held my breath as I waited for him to do or say something. He swallowed hard before inching closer, his lips hovering just above mine. He went to move in closer but stopped himself.