Trying Something New

Chapter 5

 The next song started playing, Diaval snorted and shook his head. "Yeah, no offense.. but redheads can't be good." He said, I snorted. "Oi! Not all redheads are soulless, but I will admit there are some." I retorted, giving his hand a playful squeeze. He quickly sent a glance my way, a crooked smile playing on his lips. "Och I hope Mhairi is alright." I said, biting my lip. Jumping slightly when I saw lighting out of the corner of my eye. "I'm sure he'll be ok, Red." Diaval said, his tone soft, and warm. "Besides, we're almost there. Just a few more minutes." I nodded, chewing on my bottom lip, after a few minutes I cleared my throat. "So, what did you mean back at the library?" I asked, looking out the window. 'God, I hope he can't see my reflection right now...' I thought to myself. "You're gonna have to be a little bit more specific hun." I sat up, and cleared my throat. " 'You seem like the type who likes to try new things' That whole thing." I said, quoting him. Diaval snorted. "I don't think you're ready for that information yet Hun. based on the books your reading." He said, squeezing my hand. I huffed, and rolled my eyes. "Aww don't pout, ok lemme ask you this; how many relationships have you had?" He asked, I looked at him, raising my eyebrow. "What does that have anything to do with it?" I questioned. Letting go of his hand, he just rested it on my thigh, bringing the car to a stop. chewing his lip in thought, and rubbing the back of his neck. I paused the music, turning to face him. "I just don't want to assume anything, ya know?" He said, looking at me through the fringe of his hair. I nodded. "Fair enough. I've only been in one other relationship. I was Sixteen, actually we broke up about a month ago. Me mum will tell you about it even if you don't want to hear it." I chuckled nervously, pulling my knee to my chest. "Did he hurt you?" I shuddered at his tone, and gripped my leg. "Yeah.." I whispered. "Yeah it really fucked with me honestly, I don't even know whose fault it was the last time he hurt me I left and ended it with him." I chuckled darkly. "Haven't left the house until today," I said, biting my lip, as Diaval squeezed my thigh. "Alright so taking things slow, got it thank you for telling me." He said, his voice soothing. "Y-yea, no problem. I can tell you more when we get to my house." I said, lightly tracing the back of his hand. "Rowan, don't force yourself if you aren't ready ok?" I nodded. "I still want to tell you some. Just to give you an idea of where I'm at." I said, putting my leg down, sneaking a glance at him. I saw him nodding. "No, I get that, and I appreciate it. But first, I gotta survive your parents." He chuckled, finally pulling up the driveway. I laughed and squealed, as a huge crack of thunder shook the car. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" I exclaimed, quickly grabbing my head and curling up in the seat. in my haste to curl up, I banged my head against the car door. "Ah fuckin' hell. Christ."

"Jesus. Rowan, are you ok?" Diaval asked, resting his hand on my back. I nodded. "Ye I'm fine, just knocked my head. Ow." Sitting up, and rubbing my head, "Shit, that hurt." I complained, as Diaval chuckled. "You sure you don't have a concussion?" He snickered, I rolled my eyes and flipped him the bird. "Smartass." He smiled. "Better to be a smartass, than a dumbass." He said, rubbing my back. I snorted, and shook my head. "My dad is gonna love you." I smiled, then looked out the window. "Welp," I started with a sigh. "There's the house, we should probably make an appearance since they are expecting us..." I trailed off looking at the house, and biting my lip. "Hey, Red, everything will be ok. We can head in for a sec, then check up on Mhairi ok?" I nodded. "Yeah, that sounds brilliant."

"Ya know red, you seem kinda nervous all of the sudden... What's getting you all worked up?" Diaval asked. I just shrugged. "Just nerves I guess." I said, taking a deep breath. "W-well actually I'm nervous about having you over ya know? Badass dude... a badass dude that I just met today mind ya... and who is really..." I trailed off stopping myself from rambling before I embarrassed myself. Diaval poked my cheek. "Who's really what Rowan?" He asked gently, cupping my face and turning it to face him. His warm brown eyes bore into mine. "I...erm.." I stuttered, trying to keep myself from looking down at his lips. "W-what...or how would you handle shyness?" I asked quickly, trying desperately to change the subject. He took a deep breath through his nose, closing his eyes. Then opened them again, and his eyes burned. "I know what you're doing Rowan, but I'll bite. After noticing a shy response, I would challenge it." he stated, letting go of my face, leaning back into his seat looking at me. "C-challenge how" I asked, looking down at my hands. "That my dear girl, I will answer once we make an appearance to your parents." He said, opening his door. I rolled my eyes, and gave him a quick nod. "fair enough, you got yourself a deal Mr. Horne." I said, opening my door as he got out, shutting his door, and walked around to help me out. "There we go, oh, don't forget that your book is in my bag." He said, his eyes flicking down then back up. I nodded. I shut the door, and waited for Diaval to grab his bag from the trunk. Shutting the trunk, he huffed. "Let's get this fuckin' party started Kitten." He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, guiding me towards my front door. I closed my eyes, lifting my face to the sky; letting the rain hit my face. "Kitten huh?" I mused, barely a whisper. 'I could get to that.' I thought, taking a deep breath and exhaling. "Yea, let's do this I guess." I brought my head down, and walked up the front stairs. Slipping my shoes off by the front door Diaval following suit. "Why Are we doing this?" He asked, I shrugged. "Helps not to track mud everywhere." I said, opening the front door. "Mum, da? I'm home." I called out. "And I brought a friend." "Och finally, I started to worry child" My mom called from the kitchen. I smiled grabbing Diaval's hand, and pulled him to the kitchen. I giggled, watching my mom flit around the kitchen like a deranged fae. Diaval wrapped his arm around my shoulders again, watching the controlled kitchen chaos. "So what's for dinner mum?" I asked, moving Diavals' arm and going to the fridge. Opening the fridge I grabbed two water bottles shutting the door, I leaned against it squeaking as an loud clap of thunder rattled the windows. Dad giving me a concerned look, so I waved him off. "I'm making Cullen Skink. You're favorite" Mom said looking over at me. I smiled, glancing at Diaval. "That's a Haddock chowder isn't it?" He asked, my dad laughed "Aye lad, boy knows his food"
"A smoked Haddock chowder." Mum said, looking Diaval up and down. "Ah, you're the Horne boy. Your mother is a good friend of mine" she chattered, wiping her hands on her apron. " What a handsome young lad." She cooed. I rolled my eyes and snorted. "Muumm" I sighed and a smile playing at the corners of my mouth. She looked at me and scrunched her nose a little. "Oh hush child. You knew this would happen." She said, looking Diaval and I up and down. "Before you change, could ya please check on Mhairi? The poor creature." I nodded. "That was the plan mum, I'm taking Diaval with, he's always wanted to come up here to see the horses." I said, moving back to d\Diaval. "Do you want me to get my shoes from out front?" He asked, I smiled and shook my head. "You can wear a pair of mine lad." my dad said, coming up behind me. Resting his hands on my shoulders. "Any problems today Roe?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. "Thank gods no." I said, moving to the kitchen door. Pulling on my boots, looking at Diaval. "They don't need to be perfect lad." dad said, playfully pushing Diaval towards me.