The New Girl

Say Yes

Clara~

The rest of the day went by pretty quickly. River and I talked a bit here and there and things felt less awkward. I avoided Victoria as much as possible. Honestly, I'm afraid I pushed her too far today. Only day two and she most certainly hates me. I walked out of the building and towards the parking lot. I wonder if River really expected me to ride with him since I made up that lie to cover up our conversation? I guess I should check. Once I reached his car he looked at me and smiled. He was leaning against it casually. 

"Before you ask, the guys are in stuco. They had a meeting after school." I nodded and smiled. 

"Are you sure you don't mind giving me a ride?"  I asked quietly. 

"Of course not." 

"Okay, let me go get my bike." I said as I started to turn. 

"Don't worry about it. I can give you a ride to and from school everyday. We will get your bike tomorrow." I looked at him and smiled. "I was wondering if you'd go to my favorite little book store with me though? It is my favorite place in this town. Well, other than the skating rink." I smiled at his words, I love skating. I also love reading. I decided it couldn't hurt to go to the book store with him. 

"I'll go with you, if you take me home really quick to talk to my mom and change clothes."

"Deal." He said and I hopped in the passenger seat of his car.

The car ride was silent, and I looked out my window the entire time. It felt like there was a lot we could say, but neither one of us broke the silence anyway. It was kind of nice.  He pulled into my driveway and stopped behind my mom's car.

I walked into my house with River close behind me.  "I'm home mom! " I shouted and she came out of the kitchen, stopping in her tracks as soon as she saw River standing there.

"Hello ma'am, I'm River." He said politely and reached his hand out towards her. 

"Hello son, I'm Reese." She said with a warm smile as she shook his hand.  "So, what are you kids up to?" She asked while eyeing me suspiciously.  I felt myself instantly blushing. How embarrassing. My mom always does this. She is great at making me feel uncomfortable around guys. 

"Actually, I was gonna go change clothes. He wants to go to a little book store here in town." I said matter of factly, and my mom calmed slightly.

"Okay, I'm gonna go finish baking. Have fun kids. Don't have her out too late River, it is a school night." She said with a huge smile before walking back into the kitchen.

"It's a book store mom." I said before turning to River, "I'll be back in a minute. Make yourself comfortable." I motioned to the couch and ran upstairs to my room.

I changed into ripped black skinny jeans and a white and red baseball-T with vans before running to my bathroom to look in the mirror. I didn't have any makeup on at all and my hair was down and I had let the natural waves do their thing today. I didn't feel like putting makeup on or anything. River had seen me like this all day anyway. 

River looked at my jeans questioningly. "Need me to patch those?" He grunted.

"Thanks dad, but I'm good." I said with a dramatic eyeroll.

"Bye mom!" I shouted, then pulled River outside quickly. He raised his eyebrows at me and I flashed him a cheeky grin before climbing into his car. 

"How far away is this bookstore?" I asked as he started the car. 

"It isn't far. I wish your ankle wasn't messed up. I would love to go skating with you, but the bookstore will have to do for now." I smiled at him as he said it.