Curly Headed Cutie (Rewrite)

Chp. 15: Pardon?!

We pull up in front of my house, Travis still laughing at me. I blush with embarrassment, "Stop making fun of me!!!"

"I'm sorry, Tiny, I can't help it!!" He chuckles, a towel resting on his bare shoulders, "You fell back into the water, how is that not funny?!"

It's currently 10:30 pm, and we just got back from the spot. The whole time Travis drove me home, he was making fun of me for falling back into the water.

My poor hair is going to suffer from shrinkage in the morning...

"Jerk!!!" I pout, unbuckling my seatbelt. I push open the car door and hop out, grabbing my sweater. I slam it closed and shout, "Goodnight, Travis!!!"

I stomp away from the car through my yard, and onto my porch. I dig into my pocket to pull out my house keys but realize that they're not there. And neither is my bag. I search my spandex pockets and my sweater pockets only to find nothing.

I sigh, annoyed, "...damnit..."

Great, now I have to go back and get my keys and bag after I just made a huge exit...

I turn around slowly, but I jump when I see Travis standing behind me. He grins, holding my keys, bag, and phone, "I think you forgot these." We stare at one another for a moment as I look from him to my stuff that I oh so preciously forgot.

Didn't realize I left my phone in the car too though...

I purse my lips, frown, and carefully take my stuff from him, "Thanks..."

"No problem, Tiny." He says, clearly trying to hold back his laughter.

I nod at him and turn back around to unlock my door. As soon as I'm about to stick my keys into the lock, Travis starts nudging me from behind.

"Move faster, Tiny." He says, nudging me repeatedly.

I whip around to face him and can't help but smile as I roll my eyes, "Quit!!! Aren't you supposed to be going home??"

"Yeah, but you're not moving very fast. What if I was some creep trying to kidnap you? You would've gotten got." He states, grabbing my shoulders now.

I narrow my eyes at him, "Nonsense."

"Not nonsense."

"It very much is."

"It very much isn't."

Suddenly, the doorknob begins to twist and turn under my hand. I tense up looking back at the door, and Travis becomes very still. I step back, dropping my arms down to my sides.

Slowly, the door opens revealing Dad. He looks at me, concern and worry in his eyes, "Tiffany?! Where've you been, and why are you soaking wet?! You haven't been answering your phone!?"

Dad's home??!

I stare at him, mouth agape, and Travis suddenly grips my shoulders. Almost immediately, Dad looks at Travis and his face changes from concern to suspicion.

Oh no...

I look from him to Travis and frantically try to explain, "Dad! It's not what it looks like!!"

He looks Travis up and down and asks, eyes narrowed, as I continue, "He's just a friend!! Promise!! He's just dropping me off!!! We were-"

"Who are you???" He interrupts, sizing Travis up, "And why are you touching my daughter???"

There's a long pause as Dad stares Travis down. Travis simply stares back, clearly tense as he lets go of my shoulders. "Who are you? I won't ask again." Dad warns, eyes narrowed.