Crashing Down

Two buzzes from her phone had her up and out of bed in an instant. She pulled open her curtains and saw him standing down there. He grinned up at her and waved, her stomach filling with butterflies. She bit her lip to stop from smiling like crazy as she gave a small wave back and motioned for him to wait. She grabbed her white knit beanie and matching cardigan lying on her desk chair and her phone before lightly treading downstairs to the front door. She wrote a quick note for her parents in case they happened to get up and then flew out the door.

Out on her front lawn he stood, the boy that made her feel on top of the world. She flew into his arms and giggled as he placed feathery kisses on her cheeks and forehead.

"Come on, my parents can catch us if we stay here," she whispered, leading him to his car. She couldn't wipe the smile from her face as they climbed into the car. He put it in neutral and rolled down her driveway. With the headlights turned off, they cruised down the street at a low speed until it was safe to drive off without getting caught.

"I can't believe you agreed to do this," he said, placing his hand on top of hers. She twisted hers so she could intertwine their fingers.

"You didn't think I'd have the guts?" she teased, raising her eyebrows.

He looked out the windshield, easily driving with one hand. His thumb created a circling pattern on her palm, tickling her hand. "Quite frankly, yeah," he replied , his lips twitching up into a smile. They were even more appealing when he was smiling.

Her eyes flicked up to his brown ones. Even they were smiling at that moment, something she had never seen someone else be able to do. Every moment she spent with him, she fell in love a little more.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"Nowhere and everywhere," he shrugged. "Anywhere you want."

She thought for a moment, not coming up with any ideas. "I think you should just keep driving. Maybe a place will pop up on it's own."

He laughed, the sound music to her ears. "Alright." He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it, quickly glancing at her. That goofy grin crept onto her face. She looked out the window to hide it, watching as the rows of houses turned into endless forest.

"Remember I have to be back by five," she said, worry creeping onto her face.

"Relax, have I ever been late dropping you off before?" His easy-going manner relaxed her and she stared out the window, growing sleepy.

"Can I sleep a little?" she asked, her eyes already drooping. He chuckled once more before she drifted off into sleep.

***

It was the bright lights that woke her up. She had slumped down in her seat and a blanket had been placed over her lap and tucked behind her shoulders. She smiled as she fingered the wool blanket. He was always doing sweet things like this for her. That was one reason why they had been together for over a year.

She looked around with squinting eyes. Harsh fluorescent lights from the gas station ruined her night vision and left spots dancing behind her eyelids. She brushed the hair off her forehead and saw him striding to her. He climbed in the car with two bottles of water and a package of Oreos.

"Favourite car snack: Oreos," he said, handing her the package.

"I told you that when we first started dating; how did you remember?" She couldn't believe it as she took a cookie out.

He kissed her cheek and grabbed a cookie. "You told me the first time we kissed. That date I took you to the camp ground and you brought two packages. I remember everything from that night crystal clear."