Insomniacs (#1)

30. lanterns

One week later.

I was sat by my phone that rested on my bedside table, waiting. And waiting. And waiting some more. I'd been doing this a lot recently in hopes of a call from Benji but today, it was another boy I had in mind.

"Stop bouncing your knee. I'm getting dizzy." Everest groaned from his position on the ground, leaning back against my legs.

"Leave her be. She's waiting for her lovey dovey boyfriend." Malik giggled like a kid on crack but I ignored the snickers that came from him and Ev, staring at my phone instead.

He'd been gone for four days. Him, Amelia, Micah and his little brother went on their annual retreat up to their private cabin in the woods. He'd sent me a picture of it; it was a beautiful, dreamy lodge but Luca however, dreaded the whole ordeal.

He rang me every night, complaining about everything possible in that usual grumble of his. And I lay on my roof every night, listening to him groan and whine.

It's an ego crush to think about how much I missed him. Literally. I feel so fucking clingy. It's almost revolting.

"Where'd he go?" Mal asked.

"A cabin. Massive one-" Everest had started to explain but my attention had completely snapped to my ringing phone.

I bit back a smile and held it up to my ear.

"I'm outside."

I stepped over Ev and caused him to fall back against the bed, grabbed my jacket from where he was sitting on it and snatched my beanie that Malik had put on his head.

"Jesus. Take your time. I insist." Ev furrowed his eyebrows as I stumbled, pulling on my converse.

"I'll see you tomorrow at practice." I called out when I was hurrying down the stairs, a smile splitting my face.

"Aria! We're at your house!" I heard one of them call out just as I shut the door behind me.

I caught sight of him against the streetlamp whilst pulling on my beanie. A smile curved up my lips just as a beautiful one split his lips.

Slowly and pretending like I didn't just dash from my house, I walked over to him with my hands in my pocket with non chalance. Keep it cool. Don't jump his bones.

His smile rose the closer I got until I was in his reach.

"Miss me?" He raised an eyebrow. I scoffed, waving him off.

"Me? Miss you? Nev-" He'd cut me off with his arms wrapping around my back and pulling me right against him.

Yes. There he is. That body and that warmth. I melted completely in his embrace, my eyes shut and relishing in the return to my safe space.

"Didn't miss you either." He mumbled between a kiss on my head and I hummed.

"Believable." I rest my chin on his chest to look up at him, his eyes flicking over my face.

We missed each other just as much as the other. And we knew it.

It was getting colder in Jersey now that we were nearing December. The air was crisp and wintry, frost masking surfaces and cars. The coldness had turned Luca's nose that familiar bright pink.

"How much did you sleep?" I asked and he cringed.

"Enough." He shrugged

I sent him a flat look.

"Only a couple hours since New York." He admitted. I couldn't blame him, I'd been the same.

"Ria?"

I hummed in response.