It Started With Hello

Chap. 88

In retrospect, taking a walk alone at night, knowing she had a stalker, was probably a bad idea. But she really needed to get away from that party; it was suffocating. She didn't know which part was the worst. Was it the creepy looks from old men? Or was it her father showing her off to all of them like he was ready to sell her off or something?

The worst part, she felt, was that they had never celebrated her birthday before. This being the first time, they obviously didn't do it for her enjoyment; they did it to boost their own egos.
Letting out a heavy sigh, she felt a vibration in her bra. She reached a hand inside the top of the dress, pulling out her phone. It was a message from Kandy, checking up on her, making sure she was still all right.

She quickly replied that she was still fine; she was just going to a place to clear her head. After putting her phone back in her bra, she saw the familiar sight of the pier. Stepping up onto the wood, she walked past a few people, keeping her head down. There were hardly any people here. Everyone was probably ringing in the new year with friends and family, or at some big New Year's party.

She walked under the pier lights. All that could be heard was her own heels clicking on the wood. Lifting her head, she saw the silhouette of someone leaning against the wooden rails, looking out over the water, smoking a cigarette. She stopped walking for a moment to analyze the smoking silhouette. She was too far away to tell if she recognized the person. She walked closer, finally realizing who it was.

"Blake?"

He turned his head to her with a smile. He was wearing the leather jacket she got him. She walked closer, leaning back against the railing beside him.

"Hey, Em," he said while blowing out smoke. She tilted her head to the side, wondering what he was doing here.
"Nice dress." His eyes ran up and down her dress. Unlike when the creepy old men did it, she didn't feel uncomfortable. She let out a soft laugh before turning around, looking out over the water.

"What are you doing here?"

He took another drag from his cigarette. "I figured you would show up here tonight with your parents' reputation, so I waited to see you." She swallowed softly, biting her lip. The fact that he knew her family was so dysfunctional that he anticipated her birthday party wouldn't go well, and that she would end up here, was crazy. He glanced over at her out of the corner of his eye.
"I'm sorry about that, by the way," he whispered, making her feel a little better.

"I mean, why didn't you just come to my party? I said you were invited," she said, watching as he pulled out his cigarette. He stomped it on the wooden rail, tossing it into the water below them.
Letting out a fake laugh, he slid his hands into his jacket pockets. "Now you know that wouldn't have worked out, Em." She was sad by the fact that he was right.

Her parents would have had a cow if he showed up. She could just imagine him showing up in his dark leather, with chains decorating his neck and rings coating his fingers. Her mother would probably pass out from the embarrassment of all her stuck-up friends seeing him.

Letting out a sigh, she leaned her cheek against her palms. "I guess you're right, but my party turned into a disaster anyways. I wish you could've been there," she whispered, looking over at him.

He nodded. "Yeah, me too." He nodded, looking down. He took a hand out of his pocket, pushing his hair out of his eyes before pulling out a little red box, setting it on top of the railing. He pushed the box closer to her.

"Happy birthday," he whispered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
She smiled, picking up the box, playing with the pink bow on top. "I told you not to worry about getting me anything."
He laughed softly, rolling his eyes. "How couldn't I worry about you, on your birthday? I knew that was just one of those girl traps, anyways."

She laughed while slowly pulling the lid off the box. Inside the box was a simple silver ring, sitting on a red pillow. She picked the ring out of the box. "It's one of my pinky rings. I, umm... had the inside engraved." She looked at him wide-eyed for a moment before turning the ring in her hands to read the inside. On the inside, in a fancy cursive font, it read

"Will you be my girl?"

She read it out loud, her cheeks turning red. She stood staring at the words for a few minutes without saying anything.

Her silence was making him nervous as hell. He swallowed hard, watching her.
"Um, I know I'm just a guy that smokes when he's stressed, races motorcycles for fun, and works at a garage to make ends meet. You're completely out of my league and could probably have anyone you want, but... I really... really like you, and I'm hoping I'm the guy you'll choose to be with, even if it's just for now."

Her heart melted that he was acting this way right now. He was really opening up to her, enough to tell her his true feelings. He slowly reached to take her hand, taking the ring and sliding it on her ring finger. Her eyes started to fill with tears as she looked up at him.
"For real?"

He laughed, nodding his head. "For real... let's make this thing official." She suddenly flung her arms over his shoulders, hugging him tight. She couldn't believe how this night had went from the worst night ever to the best.
"Of course, Blake. I'd love to." She pulled back, leaning in to kiss him. He held up a finger to her lips, stopping her midway.
"What are you doing?" she questioned as he pulled his phone out of his pocket with the other hand.

"Hold on a sec, I just need to check the time... okay, just in time," he whispered before sliding the phone back into his pocket.

Fireworks began to be set off over the water, lighting up the sky in bright colors. He removed his finger from her red lips. "Happy New Year," he whispered, leaning down, letting their lips meet in an electric kiss that left her body shaking. Wrapping her arms tightly around his shoulders, never wanting to let go at this very moment, nothing else mattered. Only the two of them.

There were probably a thousand and one things that she could be worrying about right now, but she refused to let it ruin this moment. Those were problems to worry about later. The only thing that was on her mind was her growing feelings for Blake.

(Mia note- Aaaaahh it's official!!)