John Hughes Movie

Chapter 24

Lara Jean

There was no sun seeping through the blinds this morning. The pitter patter of rain filled my tiny room with a pleasant beat as I sat up in bed, waiting for Peter to come back. It was early, both of us morning people, him more than me though. The clock on my bedside read 6:04. He was making us coffees, insisting that I didn't need to get up and he would be back in an instant. He was on a spree of being extra thoughtful lately. I didn't know what came over him, but I was not complaining.

Peter came back into the room holding two cups in only his underwear. The dark grey boxer briefs hugged his perky butt and toned legs. I couldn't believe how handsome he was, even as he just woke up. He looked like he was carved of marble and belonged in the fanciest museum in Paris or Rome. His curls were extra springy today. I loved when they were like this. So cute and boyish to go along with the spark in his smile. I'm sure I looked like the ultimate mess. My hair in a messy bun and his t shirt hanging off my shoulders.

I had been struggling to feel enough for him lately. When we went out together, he was the star everywhere he went and I felt like his hanger on. He never made me feel that way, but the world did sometimes. The looks I would get from random girls when we were holding hands walking to class and when he threw his arms around me at the bar with our friends. That's why I loved our mornings together. The rest of the world was still asleep, no one to judge me. Just him being a love and building up my confidence.

He placed his drink down on what had become his nightstand and handed me mine. It was hot and comforting in my hands. "Thank you gorgeous." I kissed him as he got back into bed with me. This had become a bit of a tradition, lazy mornings that I wished could go on forever. We would talk, listen to a podcast or music. It was just about spending extra moments together. Even though we had classes together every week, the more hectic things got with our schedules, the more we needed time in our little bubble. Just us.

Peter leaned over and kissed my shoulder. "What's your first thought this morning? Other than how much you love me for making your coffee."

"I keep thinking about the book I was reading last night. Think I stopped in the middle of a really good part" I took a long sip of coffee and continued to wake up.

"Well then, let's have book time." He sounded too chipper for this early.

"What?" I rubbed my eyes, wondering what his scheme was. Lately my reading had been relegated to right before bed or in the moments when he busy.

"You can read and tell me all the good parts." He smiled. I was so glad he seemed to be out of his funk that he was in earlier in the week. Something was bothering him, but he didn't want to talk about it. I wasn't going to push him, but I was glad there wasn't anything lingering anymore.

"And what will you do during book time?" I sat up straight watching the wheels spinning in his head.

"I'll read too." He shrugged like it was the most casual thing in the world.

"Do you even have a book with you?" A dumb smile stayed plastered on my face. He was so cute when he had a plan.

"No, but I'll read one of yours. You have shelves full. I'll find one that tickles my fancy." He got out of bed and went to my Ikea shelves full of smutty romance novels. Peter was not a huge reader. He probably read a normal amount, but it seemed like not a lot compared to me. "This one looks promising." He pulled out a sports romance about Formula 1 drivers. He would not knowingly pick out the one about sports.

"Okay." I shook my head at his excitement. I'm sure my cheeks were glowing red. I grabbed my novel from the nightstand and opened it up. I couldn't believe this was going to be our morning. Usually he wanted to hang with me for half an hour or so then go for his run. But today, he was being beyond adorable. Who knows maybe he'd end up liking my books?