Potion

Parent time

I parked the Kia as slow as I could into the garage. I was quite proud of myself for not crashing tonight. It's been a while since I'd driven anywhere. I left the key in the ignition, right where I'd found it.

The leather upholstery underneath me was cold and chillingly damp. Stepping out, I went to put the ladder back. I grasped the sides of the metal firmly. With my help, the garage door lowered down, hitting the ground with a 'clink.' It wasn't too loud, but I just hoped my mom wouldn't wake up. I made my way back through my dark house. The kitchen was blacker than the night sky, as were the hallways. I crept stealthily to my room. Passing my moms door, I heard her gentle snores reverberating through her room. It made me smile. I was in high spirits. All because of my encounter with Jesse. Opening my door as silently as I could, I dropped my phone onto my bedside counter. Kicking off my shoes, I tucked myself into my bed snugly.

The blankets were pulled up to my chin. I smiled to myself, wrapped in my little cocoon of blankets. It was warm and toasty, which reminded of the way Jesse held me. My heart melted just thinking of him. He loved me. My stomach flipped at the thought. At Jesse's house, he had held me for quite some time. I replayed the memory, feeling jittery with butterflies... "So how did you even get here?" Jesse asked, after a long silence. I sat on his lap while he idly traced patterns on my arms. His head rested on my shoulder. His cool fingers created chillbumps along my skin. His bed worked as a couch. We were sitting on it together, just enjoying the moment. Content to be in each others company. Nothing more. I thought of an answer to Jesse's question and responded.

"I kind of...typed in your phone number, and your house address popped up with it. So...I took my moms car...and got here. But don't worry! I parked two houses down so your parents wouldn't know."

Jesse looked at me with astonishment. He blinked, soaking in the story. I'd basically stolen my moms car. Not the smartest plan. But it was the only plan, so whatever. This wasn't Grand Theft Auto. I didn't steal her car and speed off into the horizon! I'd brought it back, without a scratch. I thought it was clever. I wasn't a criminal, nor a thieving thug. I was a good kid, I thought.

"I'm driving you home. You barley know how to drive Willow! You could have driven into a ditch."

Jesse pestered me.

"But I didn't."

"You could have hit a mailbox and flipped your car."

"But I didn't."

"Your tumor could've gone off." "It didn't."

"You could have called me."

I paused here, not sure how to respond. "But you didn't." He finished for me. Jesse leaned forward putting his hand on my cheek. He trailed it down my neck, producing a line of icy heat. Reaching my shoulder, he traced down the line of my collarbone. I shivered involuntarily. His slender fingers continued their pattern, but with careful ease, not wanting my tumour to go off.

"Let me drive you home. I've been so rude the past few days, please. It's the least I can do."

I bit my lip, my gaze lingering on Jesse's mattress, distracted my his hands at my neck.

"I'll let you walk me to my car."

Jesse wrapped his arms around me from behind. With a flourish, he whirled me around so we were face to face, standing up. The heat radiating from him was enticing. His eyes seemed to glitter.

"Fine. But you're going to see me again. Soon. I want to be with you for as long as I can."

I stepped up to his tall figure, placing a kiss on his cheek. I sensed his hands clenching by his sides, forcing himself not to kiss me back full on. I winced. "I'll stay with you until the end. I promise."