Perfect For Me

CHAPTER 26 (Ryan Lander)

When I fell into bed later that night, I was still smiling widely. I would have loved to continue cuddling with Liam, but we both were tired, and I definitely wasn't welcome in his bed until I showed him I was serious. Oh god, not being welcome in his bed like that. No! Just to hold him and to be held. As you can see in my sleeping habits, I had always loved cuddling but with Ryan it was even better. I just felt like I belonged there, in his arms. I felt comforted and if nothing mattered anymore besides us. God... I really sounded like a lovesick puppy! Maybe I was one.

On Monday we would go on a date. Like not a real date. Well, it was a real date but not really. I was definitely not ready to go on dates publicly. No, but we would meet to go jogging together. Yeah, sounds boring but hey, I got to spend time with Liam, I would take everything! And like, we did enjoy running, we were athletes for a reason!

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Holy shit, why was I so nervous? Liam would come pick me up in about five minutes and we would jog together somewhere and then go back. Nothing special. Nevertheless my heart was beating at double speed. And I hadn't even started running yet! The warm-up didn't count. I took a look at my phone. -This time I really would take it with me!- Liam was late. Had he changed his mind? Just this moment the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!", I yelled into the living room to my parents and went to open the door. "Hi!" "Hey!" oh, I got even more nervous. And he looked stunning. Not like wore anything special but his black shorts, a thin jacket knotted around his hipsand the light blue long sleeved shirt did something to me....  Blue really was Liam's colour! What did this boy to me?

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"You cheated!" "No, I didn't!" "Of course you did! How was I supposed to know there would be a tree trunk laying on the ground! I've never been here before." "There's something called being aware of your surroundings, you know?" I pouted. I WAS aware of my surroundings, there really had been no chance for me to know about the tree. So I stumbled across it which caused Liam to win our mini race. "Awww. Are you mad now? Poor little Ryan.", Liam mocked me. I turned my head away and stayed sitting on the ground. "Come on. I want to show you something." A hand waved in front of my face, waiting to be taken by my own. With a sigh I did so and let myself be pulled up by Liam.

Even though we were both standing now, Liam didn't let go of my hand and pulled me after him. I blushed. What if someone saw us? I ignored my thoughts. No one would be here! I told myself and just admired the warmth on Liam's hand on mine. His was a bit smaller but he still had me in a strong grip without hurting me. It felt right. Just then he let go of it. I was disappointed until I took in my surroundings. We were on the shore of a small river. Only deep enough so the water would cover your ankles.

"Come on, let's go in there!" "No! Liam, just because we live in California does not mean the water is warm enough to go in there in November!" He didn't listen and continued stripping his socks. With a careful step he positioned himself in the freezing water which caused him to shriek in shock. I laughed. "Told ya!" He just looked at me offended and proceeded walking to the other side of the river. Being there he looked like he didn't really want to go through the cold again. But he gritted his teeth and quickly ran back to me, splashing water up to his knees. Well done!

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I laid in bed and just stared at my ceiling. I had put little sticky glow stars on there when I had been younger. I had never put them off, so I looked at them.

Today had been perfect. After Liam had dried his feet with his jacket we had sat in the grass and just talked. For two hours. I had never known speaking so much was possible. But I guess the right person just makes you want to open up.

Afterwards we had jogged back so Liam could pick up Ethan in time on his way home.

I blushed when I thought back to us saying goodbye. It had been awkward as hell. We had stood opposite to each other, not knowing what to say until Liam had just quickly overcome the distance between and given me a quick peck on the lips. I had blushed furiously, scared to be seen and hadn't even noticed him jogging off until I hd fallen out of my trance.

With two fingers I touched my lips. Wow, who would have thought I, the bad boy and player from west-Waterfield high school, would get to like someone? Even more a boy who happened to be my biggest rival. Life definitely was strange sometimes. But I didn't mind. As long as it meant I could be with Liam.