Chapter Eighteen

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I rolled over onto my side, staring straight at my analog clock. In big, bold, red numbers, it read 2:00 AM. Had I really been tossing and turning for three whole hours?

God, what was wrong with me? Usually I would fall asleep by 10, but the mere thought of Riley just being a couple of feet away from me made me unable to even close my eyes.

I softly groaned, and laid my arm on my forehead, as I tried counting sheep. If this wasn't going to work, then nothing would.. Tonight was just another example of the major impact that Riley had on my life ever since he came into it.

It wasn't his fault– he didn't know that his arrival in this town would cause such a stir in my life. The kid didn't even do anything besides exist, and here I was, going through a mental crisis because of him. I don't even know how I would label my feelings right now–

"You're awake aren't you?"

I immediately sat up, my attention now focused solely on Riley's small figure sitting on my bed, his blonde hair illuminating due to the dim glow of the moon shining through my window. "Uh, yeah, I am." I said quickly, fixing my hair a little bit.

"Can't fall asleep?" I said, looking directly at Riley, watching him fidget with my blanket. "Well how am I supposed to when I'm sleeping in a stranger's– sorry, I meant friend's– bed." A smile tugged on my lips when I heard him correct himself.

Somehow this new, profound, tone in his voice made me almost melt. It seemed as though he didn't have the energy to be snarky, or loud.

In a way, he seemed almost vulnerable. Maybe it was because it was later than midnight, but a part of me wished that it was because he was beginning to let his guard down.

"You've got a point.." I paused a bit. There was something else I wanted to say, but I wasn't so sure how'd he react. Well, we're friends now right? Here goes nothing..

With a slight gulp, I said, "Y'know, you look kind of lonely up there. I feel like I'm a whole yard away from you, Riley. Do you want some company?"

In almost an instant, he froze. His fingers stopped twirling the fabric of my blanket, and he looked up at me, with an unreadable expression.

I waited for it– the nose scrunch, the furrowed brows, the insults– anything. But, to my surprise, he remained calm, and relaxed, unmoving as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Sure."

This time, I was the one furrowing my brows, stealing Riley's signature move from him. Did I hear him right? Did he really agree? Okay, maybe I'm just dreaming right now. It's 2 AM, I don't think I heard him right.

My lips were pursed together in a thin line, my eyes still staring directly at him, my mouth agape, "Did you..?" I asked sheepishly, to which he groaned, "Are you getting on this thing or not?!" Before I could reply, I felt the impact of a cold pillow hitting me square on my face.

I was too ecstatic to care that he'd just thrown a pillow at me– Riley said yes! "Right, yeah– of course. I'm coming." The force of the pillow snapped me back to reality, and I quickly got on my feet, not wanting to push my luck any further.

Each step I took towards him felt like a small victory, and I celebrated it quietly in my head. On my face, played a somewhat smug grin, relishing in his agreement to let me get this close to him.

Once I reached the foot of my bed, I got on. I don't wanna make him uncomfortable, or regret his decision to let me hang out so close to him, so I stayed on the opposite end, even though there was nothing for me to rest my back on.

Settling in, I turned my head toward him, keeping my tone light. "You know, I didn't think you'd actually let me up here. Guess I'm rubbing off on you."

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