Dreaming Big

Chapter 9: Explanations

Ava's P.O.V

"What the hell?"

I lift my arm and search until my hand reaches Carson's face.  I pat it a couple of times.  "Shush alarm clock I want to sleep.  Where's the snooze button?"  I breathe the words.  Hey don't judge me I was tired.  Then, I realized something.  I was in Carson's arms.  That's when I wake up.  I don't mind it of course but come on, this is me we're talking about.  He's gonna get an ear full for this.  I cough a few times, roll my shoulders back, keep my eyes closed 'cause I was still tired, and take in a huge gulp of air.  

"CARSON GET YOUR FUCKING ARMS OFF OF ME!!!!!!!!!"

He wakes up immediately.  "Come on Aves what was that for?"  I snort in reply, "I do NOT like to cuddle in my sleep.  Unlike some."  "I'm sorry shesh you don't have to get so worked up about it."  I roll my eyes, boys, "And why is your alarm clock set to go off as, 'What the hell?' anyways?"  He looks at me like I'm crazy, "Um I hate to disappoint you, but I didn't set an alarm."  Ok I must have finally gone crazy, "Whatever."  I stand up, stretch, yawn, and turn around.  That's when all the puzzle pieces clicked together.  "Lottie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I ran to her and engulfed her in a hug.  "I can't believe you're here!"  She tries to choke out a sentence, "Can't. Breathe. Let. Go. Now."  I pull away, "Opps, sorry."  I hear a cough, and looked at the person besides Lottie that I just now saw.  "Don't I get a hug too?" Mr. Stranger said with a smirk on his face.  Carson decides to talk, "I don't think so buddy."  Oh hell to the no.  You don't own me.  It's my turn to smirk now.  I lift my arms and start to walk towards the stranger.  All of a sudden, a pair of arms wrap around my waist.  "Hey! Let me go!"  His breath fans my neck, "He is not going to hug you.  Ok?  He just isn't."  As soon as he sets me down again I turn to face him.  "Who do you think you are?  It's not your decision to make. It's my life!  And if you want to turn into someone who treats me like they own me, not only will I kick your sorry ass, I'll walk by you like you're just another one of those people that you avoid eye contact with while you're walking down the street.  So not ok.  You better get that through the thick skull of your's because I will not put up with it."

Guilt is strewn across his face.  Good he should feel bad.  I turn back to Mr. Stranger.  "And who are you exactly?"  "I'm Chase.  The best looking guy you'll ever set your eye on.  If you want to take a picture I'll sign it for you and everything."  I can't hold back my laughter any longer.  "I can disagree to that.  I happen to know someone who is much better looking than you," his smirk disappears, "Just one question.  Do you play hockey?"  His mouth drops open, "Are you a physic or something?"  My laughter grows, "I'll take that as a yes.  Good luck Lottie."  I send her a wink.  Since she can't flirt, I think I'll help her out a bit.  "Ok well I don't know about you guys, but since you rudely interrupted my beauty sleep, I'm going to hit the hay."  

I walk back over to Carson.  "Did you guys think to bring sleeping bags?"  I hear the embarrassment in Chase's voice, "No, our plan was basically "Run.""  I look at Lottie, "Well we only have two, so I guess Lottie and I can share one, and you two boys can share the other."  Carson and Chase simultaneously shout, "No!"  I look directly at Lottie, "Ok then, Carson and I can share one, and you two can share the other."  Lottie's face turns into a deep shade of red, like really really red.  Like five shades darker than maroon red.  If looks could kill I'd be a dead woman with her dancing on my grave.  Chase crosses his arms and sticks out his tongue, "Better than having to be in the same sleeping bag with you or Goldilocks over there."  "Hey!" I'm already getting sick of this guy, "I'm the only one allowed to give Carson nicknames, got it?  And if you don't shut your pie hole right now I'm going to stick your own foot up your ass."  He turns away, but as he does I hear him mutter, "Bitch."  Somebody hold my earrings!  If I was wearing some anyways.  "You mother fu-"  Lottie raises her voice, "Ok I think it's time for everyone to get some sleep.  And you," she turns to Chase," keep to your side of the sleeping bag, and don't do anything else to piss Ava off.  I won't be able to stop her next time."

He nods his head, and they head over to the left side of the tent.  Carson's already in our sleeping bag. "You sure you're okay with this?"  I can't decipher the emotion on his face, "Yeah I'm cool."  He smiles, "Good."  I crawl in, and immediately close my eyes.  Within a minute I'm losing consciousness.  Just as the darkness that is sleep is about to completely close over I hear one little thing.  I doubt I was supposed to hear it.  Arms wrap around me securely, and I feel oh so safe.  I may have imagined it, but I'm almost one hundred percent positive that I heard Carson say, "I love you."