𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞 𝔾𝕚𝕣𝕝 (𝕊𝕒𝕝 𝔽𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕩 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣)

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟛 ~ ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕞𝕡𝕒𝕘𝕟𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 ℙ𝕚𝕫𝕫𝕒

(Quick A/n before we get started here. So I absolutely LOVE Ashley's character, and I really hate all the Ashley slander in most fan-fics, but I couldn't really find a way to include her in the story without there being any, so I'm really really sorry, but Ash will not be in this story. Now let's get started, this chapter is kinda short, but it's really cute, so enjoy some fluffiness.)

Today marks the 6 months that I've been here in Nockfell. I finally started school at Nockfell High, and made some more friends, like Todd, Maple, and Chug. My best friend out of all of them was 100% Sal, we spent almost every day together, but I made sure to give him his alone time with Larry so they could just hang out without any girls there. I had kinda, maybe, just possibly started to get a really really big crush on Sal... He's just so sweet and funny and smart... But it's obvious he would never like me back.

I'm currently on my way up to Sal's apartment for our weekly movie night. It's my turn to choose the movie and I'm so excited because I just bought a copy of the 2017 version of IT and I'm going to make him watch it with me over and over again. I smiled as I opened the door to his apartment, knowing that if I knocked he'd just give me the whole "Why don't you just walk right in?" speech for the like millionth time. I looked around and didn't see anyone, but that wasn't surprising since Henry tended to work the night shift. I made my way to Sal's bedroom to see him playing his Gearboy on his bed with Gizmo in his lap. I silently walked over to the bed so he wouldn't notice me and jumped on it.

"BOO!" I yelled, making him jump.

"Holy shit, River, why do you always do that?" He asked, composing himself.

"Because it's funny!" I said laughing picking up Gizmo and softly petting his head, earning some purrs in return.

"It's not that funny," Sal whined, trying to take his cat back.

"Yes, it is," I said, letting Gizmo free and he jumped off the bed, trotting out of the room.

"Okay, fine, but what movie are we watching tonight?" He asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.

"This!" I yelled, holding up the movie case.

"Wow, you actually bought that?" He said laughing, shaking his head.

"Yep!!" I said, smiling, "and I already ordered the pizza,"

"Thanks, Riv, I'll put the movie in," Sal said, getting up as I handed him the case.

"Guess what I brought!" I said, slightly dragging out the "t" at the end, and pulling a bottle of champagne out of my bag.

"What?" Sal asked, still focused on putting in the DVD.

"You'd have to turn around to see it silly," I giggled. He laughed turning around, seeing the bottle and two glasses in my hands.

"Cool, but um... Why did you bring champagne and how did you get it?" He asked, walking back over to the bed.

"Becauseee, today marks exactly half a year since I've moved to Nockfell! And I just took it from my mom, she won't notice it missing," I said excitedly, slightly bouncing.

"Bro I don't know how I forgot about that," Sal said laughing, shaking his head.

"I don't know either, but it's time to celebrate!!" I said loudly, opening the bottle. We spent the next few hours watching horror movies, eating pizza, and drinking champagne.

4 Hour Time Skip

"Sallyyyyyy," I said drunkenly (I have a very low alcohol tolerance), looking over at the blue-haired boy next to me. He looked at me in response, not actually saying anything. He hadn't drank nearly as much as I had, and was barely even buzzed. "You don't have to drink through a straw you know," I said poking the straw he had in his champagne glass so he could drink from under his mask.

"River, you know that I have to use a straw because a cup won't fit under my mask," He said, calmly, laughing slightly at my drunken state.

"No no no, I mean that you can take your mask off silly," I giggled.

"You don't want to see that River," He said, turning his attention back to the screen, which was currently playing 'The Conjuring'.

"Say's who?" I asked, confused. Why wouldn't I want to see his face? I had wanted to see it since the day I moved in, I knew that no matter what he would be cute. "Why wouldn't I want to see my best friend's face?" I asked, confusion all over my face. I had never even asked why he wore his mask, I waited for him to feel comfortable enough to tell me, which he did a few weeks ago. I don't know why I would push to see his face... but I did really want to see him.

"River, you know that my face is all messed up, you know that you don't want to see it. You're just drunk and curious," He said, his eyes flicking back and forth between me and the tv.

"I bet it's not as messed up as you say it is. I bet you're very cute," I said turning so I was sitting facing him, sitting criss-cross.

"Do you really want to see what I look like?" He asked, slightly taken aback. He said, mirroring my actions, sitting facing me. I nodded my head violently. He just looked down, and reached his hands up behind his head, unbuckling his mask. "Promise me you won't freak out and leave?" He asked, holding it in place.

"I promise," I said holding my hand over my heart.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," He said under his breath. He slowly took his mask off, his head still hanging low, his face being hidden by his hair. I slowly moved my hand closer to his face, placing my pointer finger under his chin and gently lifting it so his face was visible. I finally saw him, and I couldn't help but let out a small gasp. Not out of fear or disgust or anything like that, but it was a happy gasp if that makes sense. I couldn't believe I was finally seeing the face that I thought I would never see. He flinched when I gasped and hung his head again. I just did exactly what I did before, lifting his face back up. I scooted closer to him, and put my hand on his cheek, running my thumb along a scar, admiring him. He had some scars around his lips, along with scars covering a good portion of his face. One of his nostrils was a lot smaller, than the other, and one eye was sunken in a little... but he was perfect. His face started turning a little red, and I could tell he was uncomfortable...

"You're beautiful, you know that right?" I said, looking into his eyes. His eyes widened, and he pulled back a bit.

"River you're only saying that because you're drunk," He said, looking down.

"No, Sal, You're beautiful. From the moment I met you I knew you were beautiful, no matter what scars you have, you're perfect. You're strong and amazing, and anyone who doesn't think that needs a serious reality check because you're absolutely perfect and I won't listen to you saying anything otherwise!" I said a little forcefully, tears forming in my eyes.

"Thank you River," He said, crying.

"Of course, hun," I said, gently wiping the tears from his face.

"Will you spend the night tonight?" He asked, taking my hand, which was still on his cheek, and just holding it.

"Of course I will, Sal," I smiled at him. He smiled gently at me, and we laid down. I burrowed myself into the blankets, making him laugh.

"What are you doing?" He asked, laughing.

"I'm coldddddd" I yelled, burying my face in the blankets, "cuddles?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Come here, loser," He said, pulling me closer.

"Yayyyy!" I said, snuggling closer to him. "You're the bestest, you know that right?" I said, not taking my face out of his chest.

"I think you're the only person that thinks that Riv,"

"Then everyone else is stupid," I smiled, looking up at him. He just laughed and shook his head. We spent the rest of the night talking aimlessly about everything and anything that came to mind, eventually falling asleep in the arms of my best friend.