Only, Always, and Forever You

6 - Good Mood

Cole's POV:

As she walks away from my car, I can't help but stare. When she suddenly looks back at me, I think I'm able to look away just before she notices... Hopefully.

I pull out and start driving towards my house. I live on the opposite side of town, but she doesn't need to know that. I wanted to bring her home so she didn't have to take the subway, but she never would have agreed if she knew that her apartment was no where near my route home.

The drive back home is torture for me since I can still smell her scent in my car: something floral with a hint of vanilla. Nothing too strong or overwhelming, yet still absolutely intoxicating and addictive.

I pull into my driveway, but I can't seem to get her out of my head even after I leave my car and walk into my house.

I'm lucky I talked her into giving me her number. I want her scent to stay in my car, so I'll need to start driving her more often.

I've never been so infatuated with someone before, let alone a girl. Something about her shy, kind nature reels me in, and I can't get myself free. I don't want to get myself free...

My daydreams about Amara are cut short when I enter the foyer and am met with my father. He's wearing his usual suit, which means he probably just got back from a meeting. As the Governor of California, he is constantly holding press conferences or meetings, so he needs to dress appropriately. Now, he's standing with his back turned to me, and I don't think he's even noticed I'm here.

I hope to keep it that way, so I quietly creep over to the staircase and sneak up the stairs, trying not to attract any of his attention.

I make it safely up the stairs and immediately relax when I'm no longer in his field of sight. I walk to my room and lock the door behind me after I enter.

My father and I aren't getting along at the moment, but we aren't getting along ever, really. He's always so obsessed with his work that I never see him, but when I do I pretend like he's not even there.

He has always prioritized politics and publicity over our relationship, so I've grown to let him. My mother and I are still very close, but that's because she actually loves me. Unlike my father.

In order to get my mind off of the stranger in my foyer, I call Luke and ask him if he can come over. I know I need to apologize for what snapping at him earlier, as much as I really don't want to.

He agrees to come over, and 20 minutes later he enters my bedroom. He plops himself onto my bed and grabs the other Xbox controller on my TV stand. I'm already playing.

"Look, man," I start, already wanting this apology to be over and done with, "I'm sorry for being such a douche earlier. I wasn't in the best head space and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

Luke sets down his controller and slowly turns to face me with wide eyes and an open mouth, displaying an incredulous face.

"What?" I snap at him, even though I just apologized for snapping...

"Did Cole Anderson just... Apologize?" he teases.

"Don't get used to it," I punch his arm playfully, and he starts to chuckle.

"You must be in a good mood if you're willing to apologize. What's got you all happy?" He teases again, a smirk playing on his lips.

"No one," I say, trying to dismiss the topic.

"IT'S A SOMEONE? LIKE A PERSON?" he exclaims, and I curse at myself for saying 'no one' instead of 'nothing.'

"The next punch is going into your jaw if you don't calm down." I growl, trying and failing to hide the small smile that creeps onto my face.

"I'm not leaving you alone until you tell me who. You're human-phobic, with the exception of like 2 people, so I need to know WHO!" he whines as he grabs the controller from my hands.

He's lucky I'm in a good so that I don't tackle him right now.

"She's just someone I met at the library," I say nonchalantly with a shrug.

"IT'S A FUCKING GIRL?! Who are you and what have you done with Cole?!" He asks, absolutely baffled.

"Are you saying no girls want to talk to me?" I tease him with a smirk.

"No, I'm saying you don't want to talk to any girls," he replies, to which I nod in agreement, "So, what's her name?"

"Amara," I reply, but her name comes out a little more breathlessly than I wanted it to. I know Luke will never let me forget this.

"Oh, shit," Luke says through a massive grin, his hand flying up to his mouth to cover it.

"What?" I pry, confused by his reaction.

"Dude, you know how I told you earlier about some chick reminding me to tell you that you're in our group?" he asks, the knowing grin remaining on his face.

"Yeah..." I answer expectantly.

"Yeah, well, Amara was the one who wanted me to remind you. And she also happens to be in our group," he finally spits out before continuing to crack up in laughter.

I shrug at Luke, who is still grinning, and I try to remain as nonchalant as possible even though my body warms at the thought of her doing that for me.

That's yet another reason why I feel so intrigued by Amara. Not only is she kind, generous, and intelligent, but she is also thoughtful. I admire that about her...

"Wait," I say, wanting to stop talking so specifically about Amara before I smile, "Who else is in the group?"

After a minute of calming down, Luke replies, "You, me, Ella Boulder, and your favorite, Ms. Amara."

I want to slap him for his teasing, but I know he's right. I don't know why all of a sudden I'm so consumed by a single person, but I am. And I'm not mad about it. I could think about her all day and not feel a drop of rage, or sadness, or anything even the least bit negative.

And it scares me.

"Wait, I have an idea," Luke declares with a mischievous smirk, "why doesn't the group all hangout this weekend so we can start working on our project? You know, for academic purposes..."

I know what he's up to, but I can't deny that we probably should get together and discuss the project. For academic purposes only, of course.

"Yeah," I remain nonchalant, "I guess everyone could come over here tomorrow. Do you have Ella's number to ask her?"

"Yup," he takes his phone out of his pocket before looking at me again, "why didn't you ask me about Amara's number?"

The smallest smile appears on my lips, but I'm quick to turn away.

"Oh. My. God," is all Luke says before bursting out in laughter again.

This time I just roll my eyes at him and take out my phone. I scroll to find her contact, and when I do I smile.

I'm glad that I have an excuse to be texting her so soon after saying goodbye.