perfect storm

Chapter Twelve | Comfort

April 8th, 2022, 8:00 PM

the distant buzzing of my phone woke me up. i reluctantly opened my eyes, propped myself up on my elbows and squinted, looking around the room to try to remember where i was. i looked to my right and there Eddie was, sleeping peacefully. his head was turned towards me, his eyelashes fluttering as his chest rose and fell. i then remembered that i was in his room, and an overwhelming feeling of solace washed over me. my phone was still vibrating as i was trying to wake up. i picked it up and saw that my mom was calling. my eyes drifted up to the time on my lock screen. fuck. it was eight. i slid to answer and put the phone to my ear, holding it a few inches away so my eardrums wouldn't burst. my mom was on the other side, pissed. 

"where are you? i've been trying to reach you for an hour! i've been worried sick!" she yelled in my ear. i sat all the way up in bed and tried to quickly think of a way to calm her down. "mom, i know, i'm sorry, i'm at Eddie's and i fell asleep. i just woke up." i said, desperately hoping she would forgive me. she sighed through the phone, and i could practically tell that on the other side she was pacing in the living room. "well, i was worried, so turn your ringer on in case you fall asleep again in the future."

"okay, mom." i turned to look at Eddie and he was still sleeping. "when should i pick you up?" she asked. "i don't know, uh, is eight thirty okay?" 

"sure, see you then. love you Rue." 

"i love you too, mom." i said. i ended the call, dropped my phone on the bed, and turned to Eddie once again. he was still fucking asleep. i looked at him for a few minutes, admiring him. he looked so peaceful; so immersed in tranquility. but i had to wake him up. i bent my head down and planted a kiss on his lips. he stirred, and his eyes opened a second later. when they met mine, he smiled, and those beautiful dimples surfaced once again. he put his hand behind my neck, pulled me down towards him, and kissed me. i could feel him smile underneath me. god, he made my heart race. his hand slid down from my neck to my chest, his palm flattening against my skin. "holy fuck, why is your heart beating so fast?" he asked, with a concerned look in his face. i rolled my eyes. "it's because of you." i said. his eyes widened. "what?" 

"it's you. you do this to me." 

"what?" he repeated.

i laughed and took his other hand in mine, leaving his left hand on my heart. i took a deep breath. "you make me nervous, in the best way possible. you make me WANT to go to geometry and chemistry. when i'm walking in the halls at school i hope that i run into you. when i'm at home, i hope that your name pops up on my phone. when i'm with you, i'm happy. i feel like i'm floating. when we're together, it feels like we're the only people in the world. i never want to be without you. that's why you make my heart beat so fast." 

he looked at me with tears in his eyes. "is that all true?" he asked, his voice catching in his throat. 

"every last word." 

he pulled me down on top of him for a hug. i buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent. it was the most comforting thing in the world. a soft, enticing mix of leather, weed, cigarette smoke, and a touch of cologned musk. in words, it may not sound that appealing, but it was the most inviting and fitting scent for him. i came back up after a minute, and he held my face in his hands. he stared at me with a big smile on his face and stars in his eyes. he kissed me again, this time, making sure it was longer and sweeter. when we pulled away, i couldn't do anything but stare into his eyes. "do you know how beautiful you are?" i asked, pushing a lock of his hair away from his face. 

"shut up." he said, blushing and turning away. i put two fingers on his cheek and moved his face back towards me. "i'm serious. look at these eyes. look at your nose. look at your dimples. you're perfect." i said. he kept giggling and trying to turn away from me. "you're lying." he said. "no, Eddie. you're stunning. i have to stop myself from staring at you." he shook his head. before he could say anything, i grabbed his jaw in my hand. "disagree with me again and i'll kill you." i said, giving him a dirty look. 

he laughed. "kinky." i rolled my eyes and let him go. "i have to go soon, my mom's picking me up at eight thirty." he picked his phone up and checked the time. "it's eight ten right now. what do you wanna do for twenty minutes?" he asked. "kiss you." i replied. he smirked at me and pulled me into his arms. "that's a relief because i want to kiss you too." he said, whispering into my ear. i laughed at his response, but it was muffled because i was buried in his jacket. we spent the rest of our time together kissing under the warm light of his room, stopping every so often to just lay and enjoy the present. i whispered sweet nothings into his ear, and i loved seeing him shift from my words.

 after some time passed, i checked the clock. it was eight twenty five and i forgot that i had my thrifted clothes on still. i jumped out of his bed and found my clothes on the floor. i quickly changed back into them, not caring about Eddie seeing me undress anymore. i stuffed the new clothes into my backpack and zipped it up. i picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder. i walked back over where Eddie was now sitting up against the headboard of his bed. i grabbed my phone off the bed and went to his side. "i'm gonna go wait outside for my mom, but do you want to hang out tomorrow?" i asked, picking up his hand in mine. 

"yeah, definitely. i'll text you." he said. i nodded and started to pull my arm away so i could leave. as i was turning away, he grabbed my wrist in his hand and tugged me back towards him, taking my face in his other hand and placing his lips on mine. i was caught off guard; i smiled and giggled into the kiss, feeling nothing but exhilaration. i pulled away and looked at him with as much love in my eyes as i could give. i kissed him once more. "i'll see you later." i whispered. he smiled. "bye, Rue. i'll see you tomorrow." 

i really didn't want to leave. i want to stay with him forever. i left his room, said goodbye to Wayne, and went outside. i waved to my mom, who was waiting for me in the car. i got in the passenger seat, dropped my backpack on the floor in front of me, and shut the door. "how was your day?" she asked, putting the car into reverse and backing out of the driveway. "it was good, mom. Eddie and i went to the thrift store and i got some more stuff. i'll show you when we get home." 

"sounds good." she replied, smiling and turning back to the road. 

the rest of the way home, i looked out the window, falling into yet another daydream. no one has complimented him like i did. ever. and i could tell by his reaction. has he ever been with anyone? has no one told him how beautiful he is? how easy he is to be around? how has no one else noticed the pure beauty that is Eddie? how has no one else realized that he is a beacon of light inside and out? it's okay, though. i'll show him how amazing he really is.