To Keep You Off My Mind

Chapter 10

Lily's POV

Locke's words rang through my head. He loved me, but like a sister. He friend-zoned me, and there was no way to get out. I thought at the very least, I'd have a slight chance with him, but those words destroyed all my hopes.

We sat in the sand for awhile talking about everything. We talked about what had happened in the past couple weeks and how much we missed each other. We talked about the Sadie's dance that was coming up and how Locke was still going with Julie, which hurt a little to be honest. We talked about our childhood, and how much we used to hang out. But the most important thing we talked about was last night, with Chris.

"So, you never did tell me what happened with Chris last night." I panicked. I couldn't tell him about the pain that Chris caused me. The sun was going down at that point, so I used it as my excuse.

"Yeah, it's getting kinda late, don't you think? We should probably head home." I said looking around awkwardly.

"Okay, but first tell me what happened." He was eager, but looked as if he'd understand if I said no.

"I kinda don't wanna talk about it here." He nodded and stood up. I followed his actions.

"Okay." He whispered. "Well we better get going. See you later." He turned around and walked back to his house quickly and quietly. I sighed as he walked into his house, wishing I'd just told him. I walked to my car and got in.

When I pulled up to my house, I saw Lando and Shepherd (Locke's younger brother) playing in the front yard. Even though they were almost teenagers, they still acted like 5 year-olds. I walked past them and inside to find Mom and Lincoln in the kitchen making dinner. I walked straight past the doorway and to the stairs. As I made my descent, I noticed that Dad was downstairs in his room, so I quickened my pace to my room. I ran in and shut the door quietly hoping not to attract his attention. I sat down on my bed and pulled out my phone. I saw that I had received a text from Locke.

"Hey, I'm really glad we're friends again. I'm sorry I deserted you with Chris, it's all my fault. I really hope you can forgive me."

I responded as fast as my fingers could type.

"No, it's not your fault, I should be the one apologizing. I should have listened to you, I'm sorry."

He replied as fast as I sent my text.

"So we're all good? Great! Let's hang out tomorrow. I'll pick you up at 11."

"Sounds great. See you then."

I thought about it for a minute, did Locke just ask me out? No, it couldn't be, we were just friends. I convinced myself it was just gonna be two friends hanging out, nothing more. I laid down and fell asleep instantly, completely forgetting about the food Mom was preparing, and every other thing that had bothered me today.

***

I woke up the next morning only an hour before Locke was going to pick me up. I hurried and got ready and ran upstairs. To my surprise I saw Locke sitting at the kitchen counter talking with Lincoln.

"Hey Lils!" He turned to look at me and smiled. I smiled back. I loved that he was calling me 'Lils' again, he was the only one who was allowed to call me that and I hadn't heard it in a while.

"Hey, you're here early." He looked down at his watch.

"Oh, sorry. You ready?" I nodded and he slid off the stool and walked to the door. He opened it and motioned for me to walk through, so I did. I heard Lincoln say something, but I didn't make out exactly what he said, I only heard Locke yell back "Shut up!" I smiled. We walked down the driveway and I saw his cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

"So, where are we going?" I asked as we got into his car.

"It's a surprise." He smiled and started driving. We drove for a couple minutes until we reached a Wal-mart. He pulled into a parking space and turned the car off. "Ta-da!" He said smiling.

"Wal-mart? That's the surprise?" His smiled disappeared.

"Well, I just thought we could pick out some ingredients and take them back to my place and make something." I smiled.

"Okay, I'll admit, that does sound kinda fun." He perked back up.

"Great, let's go!" We got out of the car and walked inside. The store was huge, but Locke knew exactly where he was going, so I followed him. We stopped in a couple isles and grabbed random ingredients. After we got everything we needed we checked-out. He paid and we brought the bags back to the car. We got in and buckled our seatbelts.

"Wow, what an adventure." I smiled.

"Yeah, I never knew you were that much of a scaredy-cat! I must have scared you at least 15 times!" He laughed and I laughed with him.

"Oh, shut up. I never knew you were that gullible, thinking that we needed to buy real flowers and crush them up to make flour!" I smiled.

"Hey, I only believed that for a second, and you know it!" I stared at him as he laughed, he was so handsome. His teeth were a perfect shade of white and perfectly aligned, while his big, brown eyes glistened in the sun. But his curly brown locks were what really got me, the way they fell magically on his forehead looking so neat, yet messy at the same time. No matter how much I wanted to think I didn't like him, I did. I couldn't help myself from falling for him even more.

When he realized I was staring at him he slowly stopped laughing and looked back at me. "Lils, what are you looking at?" The way his nickname sent tingles down my back made me realize I was staring at him.

"Oh, you just have one little lock of hair sticking up." I said trying to cover my mistake. "Here, I'll get it." I scooted toward him and reached my arm out, grabbing a small tuff of hair. I swirled it around in my fingers and gently set it back down on his head. His hair was soft, and when I touched it, I got butterflies. I pulled my arm back, but I didn't scoot back to my original spot. "There, all better." He stared at me for a minute, and I stared back. I felt my body go numb, what was happening? He snapped himself out of the stare.

"Uh, thanks." He took his eyes off me and returned them to the front. I smiled, but died a little with it. He had the chance, and he didn't take it, he obviously didn't like me, or else he would have kissed me. He turned the key and pulled out of the parking spot. I inched myself back to my spot and looked out the window, not wanting to break the silence between us. "So", he started, "word is, that you love chocolate cake." I smiled and looked back at him.

"I mean, who doesn't! If someone doesn't like chocolate cake, they're crazy!" I giggled a little.

"Then call me crazy, I hate chocolate cake." I gasped dramatically.

"How could you keep this from me!! All this time, and you never told me!" I swung my hand to my chest and took another dramatic gasp. "I trusted you! How could you let me down like that?" He laughed, and I did too.

"I don't know, I just don't really like it. I guess it's a good thing I have you to eat it all for me!" I smiled.

We pulled into his driveway and he turned the car off. We got out and brought all the bags in. When we walked into the kitchen, Locke picked up a note from his mom, saying everyone was out for the day and they'd be home later. "Sweet, we got the whole house to ourselves. What do you wanna do?" I pleaded for him to kiss me right there and then in my mind, but I just shrugged not wanting him to know the truth.