Kisses of Fire (boyxboy)

Chapter 50 - Are You Sure?

Important authors note at the end.
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In the morning, Cooper skipped breakfast and slept in, and even when he woke up, he still didn't get out of bed. He let River know that he couldn't hang out until later, so they decided to get dinner, but that wasn't until another 4 hours.

The group chat he had with his friends from basketball was busy, and since his dad canceled practice at their house, they were meeting up at Miles' instead and asked Cooper if he wanted to go, but he declined, saying he didn't feel good. Mentally he didn't; his head felt like mush, and to be honest, he didn't even want to go out with River tonight. He debated bringing up the I love you, and thought about the pros and cons. Part of him even thought maybe River didn't say it, but when he thought harder about what he could've said instead, he came up with nothing.

He also said it right in his ear, clear as day.

Finally deciding to get up, he went to the kitchen and grabbed a water from the fridge, seeing his parents in the living room. Going over to sit on the couch, they paused whatever movie they were watching and smiled at Cooper, "Are you feeling better?" His mom asked.

"Yeah, I was just feeling a little overwhelmed with everything."

She gave him an encouraging smile as his dad said, "We're always here if you need anything,"

"I know. Can I go out tonight?" He wouldn't be surprised if they said no, but he was hopeful they'd say yes.

His mom looked unsure and looked at his dad for his opinion, "I don't know, you haven't eaten much, and I don't want you to pass out wherever you're going."

In the moment, he would do anything to go out, even if it meant eating. "Then I'll eat something right now."

They both looked at him, shocked, "Really?" His dad said, hopeful.

"Sure, but whatever I want." If he left it up to them to pick, they would've made him a whole meal, and he didn't want that; he wanted something like a cracker. Actually in the mood to eat, he made a peanut butter banana sandwich before cutting it in half and handing the other to whoever wanted it. When they gave him a confused look, he told them it was too much and walked off, heading back into his room where he did nothing except text River for the next hour and a half. Judging by the texts, River seemed excited, and it was rubbing off on Cooper, who was starting to forget all about the night before.

When he finished getting ready, he made sure to put on the necklace River gave him, and he would've worn the ring but couldn't due to it being too big. Grabbing his board, he told his parents he was leaving and met River down the block in his car. "What's up," he greeted, earning a taken aback look and laugh from River.

"What are we, friends?"

Cooper smirked and leaned in to kiss him, "Best friends."

River pulled away and smiled at him, "Have you eaten?"

"I ate a sandwich earlier, but that's it."

To Cooper's surprise, he sounded sad but then smiled again, seeming excited. "Oh, well, I hope you're hungry."

"I hope you're not taking me to a fancy restaurant." He said it jokingly, but there was also some truth to it.

Cooper kept asking what he had planned, but River refused to tell him because he didn't want to spoil the surprise. "That was honestly the plan, but I feel like I got something better."

Cooper noticed they were heading in the direction of River's house and was even more confused when they arrived there. "Did you cook or something?"