My Friend the Stranger

part 11

David was quiet. His eyes were focused on the road, hands clutching the steering wheel a little too tightly.We drove in utter silence and I was scared. My heart fluttered horribly, my stomach churned. I was scared that David was so angry at me that he would never look at me the same. He wouldn't ever hurt me any other way. Was it wrong that I was also thinking how sexy he looked? Angry and brooding was definitely a look he could pull off. He stopped in front of my house, unlocked the doors, still staring ahead, refusing to look at me. I searched his face for a sign, anything that might signal he was calm. I found nothing. With a sigh, I quickly bent over before he could move and kissed his cheek softly. It was a close kiss, lingering on the corner of his mouth. "Thank You." I whispered softly and climbed out of the car. But I noticed his grip on the wheel and the corners of his eyes soften before I got out. I looked to the ground and started walking towards the door. I was on the second step when I heard the car door open.

"Gwen."

"Yes?" I turned around hopefully. David sighed, looked to the ground and took his hands out of his pockets.Next thing I knew, I was crushed in a bone shattering hug.

"Gwen, I'm not angry at you. You could have really hurt yourself. And that girl you hurt, I know you didn't do it on purpose, but I know how careful you are. I saw how you put your whole weight behind that swing. You were angry. I just...I don't know."

I rested my head on his chest, him being taller than me. For a second my thoughts wavered. He wasn't as short as I had always thought him to be, just shorter than the other beastly basketball players on his team. I paused and breathed in his scent. "I know. I blew his whole thing out of line because I wanted to show her up." I pulled away a little and looked to his face. "It wasn't even her fault, she was just distracted. I feel so bad."

David sighed again. "Sorry I overreacted." I grinned and snuggled closer to him. His small laugh reverberated his chest, tickling my cheek.

"I kinda liked it. You look hot when you're angry." He laughed again; I could tell his cheeks had reddened a little. "I should get going." I squeezed him one last time and walked to my door. I opened it and waved to him as he drove off. I shook my head, laughing to myself and entered my house.

When I was changed and ready for bed, I slicked a brush through my hair, bored. I sat and thought about David. The way his brown hair was soft and caramel-like. His forest green eyes so bright, his jaw structure so tempting. But what I loved most about him, was how for both of us, it wasn't about how hot he was. (Although I have to admit he was sexy) It was the way we were around each other. He was my friend. I felt safe in his arms. I liked how I could make him blush and vice versa. I liked how for us, it wasn't about the looks, or the making out, or anything else superficial for that matter. We clicked. I could be in my pajamas with no makeup and day-old hair and be totally comfortable. And I didn't care when he was disgustingly sweaty after a game. He was like family.

The hair brush paused in my hair as I froze. The epiphany burst through my head and tingled me to my toes.

I loved David.