Mine *don't read: being rewritten*

Chapter Four

(Riley's POV)

"Quick, Sam, help me get ready!" I run into Sam's room. She looks up from her math book, a pencil in her hand.

"Get ready for what?" A smile comes across her face. She puts her pencil down and sits up so she's on her knees.

"Well, if you're really interested, I have a date," I tell her.

She gives me a questioning look. "With who?" she asks, laughing.

"That doesn't matter! I need help getting ready!" I say with a smile. She groans but then stands up and follows me to my room.

After about thirty minutes, we finally decide on a pair of white high-waisted shorts and a white top. "Will you do my hair?" I ask her, almost begging.

"I have homework," she says with a smile.

"You have all night and all weekend to do that. Please help me!" I can't do my hair to save my life, and she knows that.

She sighs a fine and heats up the curling iron. As she does my hair, I fix my makeup. She finishes the last curl as the doorbell rings. "Can you get it please? I'm almost ready."

(Hunter's POV)

I stand out on her porch, waiting for someone to answer the door. The door opens and a fourteen-year-old girl is standing before me. "Hi," she says. "You're my sister's date, huh?"

I nod. "I am. I'm Hunter," I say, sticking my hand out. She takes it and shakes it.

"I'm Sam."

"Can I come in, Sam?" I ask her with a small smile on my face.

"Oh, sorry, yeah come on in." She moves so I can go inside. "Riley's almost ready, she'll be down in a minute."

When Riley comes down the stairs, she has the same effect on me that she did when I first saw her. My jaw drops a little and I mutter a "wow."

She smiles at me. "You look beautiful, Riley Ann," I tell her. She blushes and gives another little smile.

"Thank you," she says. "You look great, too."

"Are you ready?" I ask.

She looks up at me and nods, "Yeah," she says. She looks at Sam. "Call me if you need anything. Keep an eye on Bryce."

Sam nods and looks at me. "Have her back by eleven, and be good to her."

I laugh a little. "Yes, ma'am."

"Bye Sammie, I love you!" Riley says to her little sister. Sam waves to her. I hold my arm out and Riley takes it, linking her arm with my own.

~

"If I may ask, Riley Ann, where are your parents?" I ask her when we're situated at the restaurant. She drops her gaze down to the table, and I can see the little sparkle fade from her eyes.

"My dad, uh, left a couple years ago and my mom is in the hospital. She's not looking too good." A sparkle is back in her eyes, but I see that it's there from the tears that are beginning to appear.

"I'm so sorry," I say quietly. "But hey, don't cry." I'm fighting the urge to reach across the table and wipe the tears from her eyes.

"Okay," she nods, finally getting herself to look up at me. She flashes a little smile, some tears still in her eyes. "What about you, Hunter?"

"My family's back in Australia," I say.

"I knew I heard an accent," she laughs. I shrug with a smile on my face. "What brings you to Illinois?"

"My friend lives here and I just needed to get away." I shrug.

We sit and talk until our meal comes. I learn that she's nineteen and will be twenty January, her favorite color is purple, she can't go to college because she has to take care of her family, and she loves music.

~

"Do you want to go home or go do something?" I ask her.

"Let's go do something," she says.

I take her hand and lead her to the park. We walk in silence, but it's a very comfortable silence, and I like it. We end up standing in front of the playground.

I don't even say anything, it's almost like she read my mind, because at the same time we both run to the swings. Riley starts swinging and I just watch her for a minute. She really is beautiful.

I stand up and climb the ladder to the slide. I give myself a push and land at the bottom. "Come on!" I call to her, laughing. She giggles a little and climbs the ladder of the slide.

Before she can go down the slide, I run up behind her and give her a push, sending her down unexpectedly. She lets out a scream. "Hunter!" she yells, but there's a smile on her face.

"Whoops?" I laugh. She stands up, running at me. Before she can even try to tackle me, I scoop her up and spin her around. I just hold her, staring into her eyes. Rain starts to fall; soon, it's pouring and I'm still holding Riley.

"Would it be entirely too cliché if I kissed you right now, Riley Ann?" I smile. She shakes her head and I lean in slowly. Our lips connect and I feel electricity shoot through my veins; throughout my entire body.

I pull away and she giggles softly, her curls starting to fall from the rain. I smile and shrug my jacket off, draping it over her shoulders. "Thanks," she says, smiling. I wrap my arm around her shoulder.

"Let's get out of the rain," I say, leading her back to my car.

"Thank you, Hunter," she says when we get back to her house.

"You are welcome, Riley Ann," I say, returning her smile.

"We should do this again. Soon," she tells me.

"I'll keep it in mind, Riley Ann, so don't be surprised if I show up tomorrow." She laughs, I don't think she knows that I'm being dead serious. "Goodbye, Riley Ann."

"Bye, Hunter." I start to walk away but she grabs my arm, spinning me back around and connecting our lips once again.

"I wanted a proper goodbye," she giggles when I finally pull away.

"I'm happy you did," I smile. "Goodbye, Riley Ann," I say again, giving her a hug. She waves at me and turns to go inside. I wait until I hear the lock click to leave. "I think I love you, Riley Ann," I whisper to myself.

AUTHORS NOTE

so I didn't know how to work it in there but Hunter is twenty-one okay. but I hope you liked it and please comment and vote! I love you all(: