Holding on

Chapter 7

### October 7, 2023

A week has passed since Nicholas, the others, and I last saw each other. It was Friday, 3 a.m.—well, now Saturday. I was watching a movie in my room when my phone rang. It was a FaceTime call from Nicholas. *Why is he calling?* I fixed my hair and answered, "Hey, Nicholas."

"Hey, Blue. How are you?" he asked.

"Good. Why did you call?" I inquired.

"I missed you," he said. I blushed. "Missed you too," I replied.

"Come out, Blue," he said.

"Huh?" I responded.

"I'm outside your house," he said, ending the call. I looked out the window. *What's this idiot doing here?* I turned off my TV, put on my shoes, and ran out. Opening the front door, I yelled, "Are you an idiot? Who comes at 3 a.m.?"

"Calm down, Blue. Come with me," he said.

"Where?" I asked.

"You'll see," he said with a smile.

"Fine, I'll come," I agreed. We got in his car, and he started driving.

After 10 minutes, we arrived at a beach. He got out of the car, grabbed something from the trunk, and opened my door. I got out, and we walked to the sand. He laid a blanket down, and we sat. "Why'd you bring me here?" I asked.

"So we can watch the sunrise together," he said, smiling at me. I smiled back.

"But you know the sun will rise in 2 hours," I said.

"It's better early than late," he replied, taking a lamp from his bag and turning it on so the place could be a bit brighter. I took off my shoes and stood up.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Take off your shoes," I said.

"Why?" he asked, taking off his shoes.

"We'll put our feet in the water," I said. I pulled him up, and we walked into the ocean. "It's warm," I noted.

"It is," he agreed.

"Look at the stars. They're pretty," I said. He looked at the stars, and I pushed him into the ocean, laughing. He got up, smiled, and grabbed my waist. "NICHOLAS, NO!" I yelled, but he pulled me into the water.

"I'll get you back, I swear," I said, splashing him. We splashed water at each other, laughing and having a blast. Then Nicholas stopped, and so did I. I smiled at him as he walked closer, looking at me in that way described in books and movies—the look of a guy in love. *But no, he doesn't like me. Or does he...?* I thought.

"That was fun," I said.

"It was," he replied, smiling.

"Let's go," I said, walking out of the ocean. I sat on the blanket, shivering. Nicholas saw and brought me a jacket and towel. "Thanks, but aren't you cold?" I asked.

"It's okay," he said. I wore the jacket and wrapped the towel around Nicholas. "I won't let you freeze," I said.

He smiled warmly. "You know, I love the beach. It reminds me of my parents," I said.

"How so?" he asked.

"When I was younger, my parents took me to the beach, and I'd have the best time. When they passed away in a car accident, I'd come to the beach and instantly feel better," I said.

"Sorry for your loss," he said, hugging me tightly. I hugged him back and smiled. I felt safe and comfortable with him. I was afraid I was falling for him.

After 2 hours, the sun started to rise. We watched the sunrise. "It's pretty," I said.

"Not as pretty as you," he said, looking at me. I blushed.

"You're so corny," I said, giggling.

"Aren't I, Blue?" he asked. I nodded.

He laid his head on my shoulder. "Thank you for being with me, Blue," he said.

"Anytime. I have fun when you're around," I said.

His eyes lit up. "You mean that, Blue?" he asked.

"Yes, 100%," I said. He smiled, and we watched the sunrise.

Then he dropped me home. "Are you sure you can drive?" I asked.

"I think," he said.

"You think?!" I exclaimed.

"I'll let you sleep on the couch if you can't drive," I offered.

"But I'm wet," he said.

"I have some clothes," I said.

"You have men's clothes?" he asked, his expression changing.

"Yeah," I said.

"You have a boyfriend?" he asked in a weird tone. Was he jealous? It was cute, not gonna lie.

"No, it's my uncle's. He sometimes comes over and forgets his clothes here," I explained.

He calmed down. "Fine, I'll stay over," he said. I let him in. "Go sit on the couch," I said. He sat on the couch, and I got him clothes and a blanket. "You can change in the bathroom," I said.

"Why did you bring a shirt? I sleep shirtless," he said with a smirk.

"I live here," I said.

"So, are you attracted to me or something?" he asked, winking. I got flustered.

"No, I'm not. Stay shirtless; I don't care," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Thanks, Blue," he said, going to the bathroom. *So full of himself,* I thought. He came out shirtless and sat on the couch. Damn, he looked sexy. *Snap out of it! But it's okay; anyone would find him sexy. He had abs and a muscular figure. You can't blame me.*

"So you are attracted to me," he said.

"No, no, I'm not!" I insisted.

"Then why are you staring?" he asked. I didn't know what to say. He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer. I looked up at him, and he was looking at me with the same look he gave me at the beach. He was leaning in I saw some scars on his back but I'd don't say anything I didn't want to pressure him to tell me something that's not my business but what the hell is he doing . *Gosh, what do I do?*

"I should go to sleep. Night, Nicholas," I said, running upstairs. My face was red, and I was breathing heavily. Once I reached my room, I closed the door and lay on my bed. *What the HELL WAS THAT?* I thought to myself.