Runaway

VI

"You ready to go?" I glanced at him and lifted my brows. I slung his arm around my shoulder, helping him up from his resting spot against my tree.

"I'll try." He replied, quietly.

We walked for two and a half hours, talking on and off. It had just gotten dark by the time we reached the edge of the woods.

I stop, looking at him hesitantly.

"Are you okay? You look like you've just seen a ghost." He lets out a worried chuckle.

"Uhm, yeah. This is as far as I go... Can you make it back to your house by yourself?" My voice cracked as I released his arm from my shoulder. He struggled to find his balance.

"You want me, an injured, clumsy mess, to make it home by myself? Without assistance? That's like 6 blocks of further injuring my ankle." He scratched his head and again lost his balance. I quickly move under him so he didn't fall.

I shrug and look down. I really don't want to take any chances. Sure, I've been in town before, but that was only to get things I needed. Not to haul a limping man 6 blocks through nosy citizens, whom he might be aquatinted with.

There was a long pause. He then quickly rummaged through his bag and pulled out a hoodie. He shoved it towards me.

"How about if you put this on. It should cover your head enough." He suggested with his goofy smile plastered on his face.

I thought about it for a bit. I mean I guess there really isn't any harm in helping him...

"Alright," I said hesitantly as I slipped the hoodie over my head. "Let's get your clumsy ass home."

After a good 10 minutes of walking we finally arrived at Dakota's home. It looked welcoming, I guess.

"Here we are." I helped him up the stairs to the front door as he shuffled his hand in his pocket, looking for his keys. He pulled out a key and unlocked his front door.

I set him down on the leather couch in what appeared to be his living room.

"Thanks." He smiled goofily. I sat down next to him, keeping my head down. His eyes stayed trained onto me as we sat there in silence. After some time went by I decided to break the silence.

"Well, I better get going." I sighed as I stood up from the couch. I felt his hand grab my arm. I tensed and turned around to see what witty comment or stupid remark was about to come out of his mouth.

"Let me cook you dinner."