Closing my eyes I wished to fall back to sleep but cringed as the light in the window forced me awake.
I glanced out the window and saw two birds sitting on the branch and instantly I remembered the day before. A small smile appeared on my face and I let it grace my lips.
My fingers touched my lips, the same place where Riley's lips had.
He was going to drive me crazy, but I wanted him too. I was going to let my walls down because I knew he cared, more than anyone had in a long time. I wanted to meet his sister, his dad and mom (formally), and his aunts and uncles, I wanted to belong to a family.
Desperately.
Sitting up in my bed, I stretched my arms and yawned. I reached for my phone off my nightstand and frowned when nothing showed up on my screen.
Saturday.
What a perfect day to go to the library. Standing up, I stretched my legs and arms awkwardly. Deciding not to care about my appearance for the day, I pulled on a pair of skinny jeans and slipped on some sandals before grabbing my bag and going downstairs.
Just as I was locking the door, a familiar car pulled up.
I smiled slightly as he got out of the car,
"Hey Dyl."
He nodded,
"Dani." Pausing, "where are you off to?"
I half smiled,
"The library. Like usual."
He laughed causally and slid past me to the front door,
"Well have fun. I've got homework to do."
I nodded briskly as I picked up pace on my way down the driveway.
Halfway to the library I heard a familiar engine pull up behind me, I spun with a smile on my face and my eyes instantly met those of Riley. He waved for me to get into the car and so I did.
"Hello!"
Riley smiled,
"You're surprisingly happy today."
Tilting my head, I shrugged,
"I'm sure you could assume why."
Glancing over, I caught a smile sliding across Riley's face. He bit his lip gently and spoke,
"Where are we headed?"
"Library."
He groaned loudly but turned into the direction of the library.
I laughed to myself as we pulled into the parking lot a couple minutes later.
"You should love this place."
Riley didn't look at me, but spoke in a voice that told me he already knew why.
"I know it."
I hopped out of the truck, my sandals slapping the ground before Riley could open the door for me.
"You snooze you lose Riles."
I smirked in his direction and he glared at me jokingly. Almost instantly I felt his hand slide into mine and my heart beat skipped, but I kept my words to myself, savoring the feeling of his hand in mine.
Before long I plopped down into my favorite chair in my favorite corner and pulled out a book. I glanced up after a few pages and caught Riley's eyes on mine.
"Whaaaat??"
"Nothing, you're just so beautiful."
I blushed profusely.
"Stop, I'm trying to read."
He smiled but looked away. Turning the next page in my book, I stopped. There was something in between the pages, it was bright red. Confused, I flipped to the next page. It was a slip of paper that said 'Dani'. I glanced up at Riley but he wasn't looking at me, he was too busy studying the bookshelf across the room.
I curiously turned to the next page but found nothing, I flipped through a couple more pages and stopped when a cut out of a bright red 'H' popped up between pages.
My heart pounded silently in my chest. I continued to search the book, almost immediately finding an 'O', cut out of the same paper.
Looking up at Riley, he still had no idea what was going on. I hurriedly flipped the remaining pages, finding a 'C' and another 'O' towards the end of the book.
HOCO.
Homecoming.
I looked up again but this time Riley was staring back at me. With a smile of his face, he handed me over a piece of bright red paper cut into the shape of a question mark.
"Will you go to homecoming with me?"
His eyes were nervous and his voice shaky, I felt my cheeks heat up as a smile blossomed on my face,
"Of course. Of course I will!"
I set the book down on the chair and hugged him tightly. He exhaled shakily,
"Oh gosh, I was so nervous you'd say no."
"Why on earth would I- oh well.. I guess I am a bit confusing.."
He nodded but smiled nervously. I smiled back and slowly planted a kiss on his lips. They were soft and warm, just like I remembered and I smiled to myself as he kissed me back.
"How about some lunch, I know you're hungry!"
I nodded briskly, he knew me too well.
Before too long, we were sitting in our usual booth, talking about nothing specific.
The waiter came and set a pepperoni pizza down, but when I looked at the pizza, a laugh boiled in my chest. In pepperoni letters the pizza said HOCO.
I looked up at Riley and he was shaking his head,
"No no, this.. This was just in case, just in case you picked up a different book from your, your book stack, I, I, I just wanted to be, be prepared, just in case, oh gosh, this is, is so embarrassing, I, I'm sorry."
I shook my head laughing, reaching over I held his hand in mine,
"Riley, it's okay, it's funny. I love it."
He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and squeezed mine with his other.
The waiter was basically on the floor laughing, and I joined in, Riley as well.
We laughed for a long while but my tummy rumbling reminded me I was hungry and I pulled a slice of pizza off the pan.
This was kinda the best day ever.
YOU ARE READING
On Purpose
Romansa"I didn't mean to do it," he cried, releasing another waterfall of tears. His lungs burned from the smoke surrounding him. His face was wiped of emotion but his eyes held tears, fear and regret. There were no words to be said, only silent words to...