nyctophilia | dreamwastaken

~𝙱𝙴𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙴~ bridge pt.2

"Niki! I'm heading out!" I tell her and she hums in response, still typing away at her laptop on the couch. Cinder comes up to me and rubs against my legs before I open the door and rush out. I had a rough day at school, and for a few days, the bridge has been my comfort spot.

Not because of Clay... he's only shown up one more time since the first time we've met. Honestly, I'm not complaining about the loneliness because I like it... and I'm supposed to hate him right?

I shiver on my jacket and head out. When I reach the bridge, my heart drops slightly but raises back up as I see Clay. He's sitting on the railing, lost in his thoughts. This time he's wearing just a white hoodie with some sort of words on it and ripped black jeans. Leaves crunch under my foot and I curse loudly, as he turns to look at me.

"Were you trying to sneak up on me?" He asks and I glance up, ignoring him as I pass by to sit on the railing next to him. I leave a good foot between us and Clay only chuckles. "So... you're here again," I comment and Clay looks at me. "What do you mean?" "You're never here... But then again, I'm not complaining." I say dryly and Clay lets out an airy laugh.

"Well, what book do you have this time?" I open my backpack reluctantly and Clay watches, his gaze never leaving me. When I pull out the book, I sigh. "I forgot I shoved this in here." "What book is it?" I hand it to him, and he takes it, reading the front. Then, Clay snorts, and I watch him, eyes slightly narrowed. "What?" I ask him and he shakes his head, handing me the book again.

I read the front and see it's Percy Jackson. "Are you making fun of me because of Percy Jackson?" I ask him, almost tauntingly. Clay stammers, shaking his head again. "No, no, it's not because of that..." He reassures but I'm still suspicious, putting the book away and pulling out a cookie that Niki had baked today.

I brought 2 and I was planning to eat both of them. When I open the bag, I can feel Clay's attention on me. It's weird how I can feel his gaze on me, and my skin gets small goosebumps. "What is that?" "A cookie? Can you not see?" I snap quickly and Clay shrugs. "I mean, I was able to read 'Percy Jackson', so I'm assuming I can see." I roll my eyes and take a bite.

It's silent as I chew, and I finally glance at Clay seeing him study me, a small grin on his lips. "Stop smiling at me or else I'm going to slap this cookie across your face," I warn and Clay coughs before looking away. I smile smugly and continue eating my cookie.

When I finish it, I go to grab the second one, but I stop. Before I can think, my hands are opening the bag again and I grab the cookie before snapping to get Clay's attention. His head jerks up from his phone and his eyes glitter at the sight of the cookie. "Here, take it, before I shove it up to your ass for yourself." I grumpily mumble, even though it was my idea to give it to him in the first place.

Clay eagerly takes it and eats a bite, chewing before closing his eyes in amazement. I watch as they flutter and I look away, swallowing as I shove the bag into my backpack. He makes a low sound in his throat as he swallows and I have to physically stop myself from jumping into the river by gripping onto the railing. "Fuck, they're good." Clay groans and I scoff. "Don't chew with your mouth open. It's called manners." "It's called complimenting cookies. Did you even make these or did you buy them?" Clay retorts and I glance at him, watching as he opens his bright eyes again.

"My uh- my friend made them." I slightly stammer and look away. "Who is she? Like seriously, she needs to open a bakery." "She does have a bakery. At her house though." I watch as he finishes the cookie and rubs his hands, turning his body slightly to look at me. "A real business... like a public bakery." "Mmm... think I'll have to pass on that," I respond and Clay throws his hands in the air dramatically. "That's not even your decision to make!"