Long Road Ahead

Chapter 24- National "i love you" day

"You wrote that song with me on your mind?" Cole asks as his eyes shine with happiness. "I-I uh is-is it b-bad?"
I ask stammering over my words. "No Nova it was amazing! But why?" He asks. "Maybe because I love you?" I question.

I wrote the song thinking about Cole. I love him but after hearing I was a bet at first it hurt. But I shouldn't jump to conclusions. "Cole we need to talk about something I've heard." I sigh.

"What is it?" He asks confused. "Was I a bet at first?" I ask looking up at him. "W-Who told you?" He growls.

I know I shouldn't mention Drew mainly because i'd rather see Drew in one piece and not a billion. "I just over heard someone." I lie.

"You were at first because a buddy of mine said I couldn't get the courage to be seen dating someone from my childhood who is labeled a geek, nobody, and also one of the most popular girls." He sighs. "I am not popular." I say.

"That's what you don't see Nova everyone adores you. Your sweet, funny, so kind. Sometimes your to smart for some to understand, you are a nobody when you don't want to be near anyone, and your popular because you are kind to everyone." He answers.

"Okay but why did you say 'was a bet?'" I ask. "Because after I realized I was falling for you Nova I called it off. I lost." He laughs nervously.

I give him a small smile but look away. Is what he's telling me true? "Hey do you know what today is?" Cole asks looking down at his phone.

"National I love you day." I answer. "No it's our anniversary when we first met." He says smiling. I look up at him and smile. After all these years he remembers our first play date.

"It's when your mom forced you to play with the boy who had cooties." He jokes. "I was three!" I laugh. "The cutest three year old I've ever met." He says.

I roll my eyes at him laughing and he smiles. "You know Nova i'm sorry for treating you like I have. I'm sorry for making you a bet with my friends. And i'm more sorry for basically cheating on you at that party." Cole sighs.

"I forgive you. I'm sorry for kissing drew twice and for letting Garrison kiss me." I wince at the thoughts.

He pulls me closer to him and wraps his arms around my waist. I reach up and kiss his cheek. "Thank you for this."

"For the hug?" He asks. "No for being honest with me finally and for the hug it's a bonus." I laugh. "Oh then you're welcome." He smiles laughing and kiss my forehead. "So are we....uh.... You know back together?" Cole murmurs. "I think that's up to you to make that decision." I sigh. "Then it would be a yes!" He says giving me a boyish grin.

"How cute!" I cooe. He looks at me confused but shrug it off with a laugh. "You have the cutest boyish grin on planet earth." I say pinching his cheek.

He gives me a flat look before laughing it off. "Aleast i'm still very cute to you." He winks. I said your boyish charm is cute." I say trying not to smile. "Oh so i'm charming also huh?" He smirks.

"Seriously?" I laugh tossing a waded up shirt at him hitting his square in the face. He just laughs and kisses my temple.

"I need to get home now." I sigh looking at my watch. "Only 12 hours to spend with mom until I have to go back."

"Okay. Thanks for coming by." He answers kissig my cheek and wraps his strong arms around my waist. "You're very welcome doll face." I say in a british accent and laugh.

~*~

"Panda." I call walking around the house. "Here kitty kitty."

I enter the kitchen where my mom is With Snow hot on my heels. "Have you seen Panda?" I ask. "She was sleeping on your bed this morning." She replies slipping the chicken into ths oven.