The Story Of Us

Ch 3 - Cuddle Buddies

Sarah’s POV

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  Crash.

I opened my eyes slightly, the sun burning them instantly. What was that? My mind was cloudy and I couldn’t remember where I was. I try to sit up but something’s holding me down, I open my eyes slowly and glance over, it wasn’t something, it was someone. More importantly, it was Caleb! I tap my foot and hear metal, and then it all slowly comes back to me. The all-nighter at the drive-in, the four of us were making a bed in the back of the truck. But why was it only me in the back with Caleb?  And why the hell was I in his arms all tangled in a blanket?

What the hell happened?

I glance at Caleb again, he was still fast asleep.  He looked so cute. Cute? No Caleb’s my best friend; I couldn’t think of him as cute, I chastised myself. But I couldn’t help smiling because he did look like a peaceful little boy. I don’t know how long I watched him, but suddenly I was staring straight into his eyes.

“Why are you watching me sleep?” he says with his eyebrow raised; I hated when he did that.

“I wasn’t watching you sleep!” I exclaimed helplessly, although I had to admit it was pretty obvious.

He smiled at me smugly. “Right, you were just staring at me while my eyes were closed.” I simply glared at his cocky expression, what else could I do? He began laughing and inclined his head closer to mine. “Relax,” he said. “I was only kidding, but hey if you weren’t done observing I can close my eyes.” He grinned even wider.

I gave him the best death glare I could before breaking out into a smile and punching him lightly in the ribs. “I hate you!” I say trying to stifle a laugh.

He released his hold on me, I totally forgot he still had his arms around me, and rubbed the spot I hit. “Ouch, that was hurtful.” I rolled my eyes and he smiled. “What woke you up so early anyways?”

I think for a moment, “I heard a noise, like someone crashed into something, but I don’t know what it was.”

“Someone probably backed into one of the speakers on their way out,” he shrugs.

I nod and sit up. “Hey, where did Kelcie and Colin go?” I look around but don’t see them near the truck. I look expectantly at Caleb, he grins he gestures to the window of the inside of the truck. I peek in and can see Kelcie cuddled up to Colin, his head resting atop of hers.

“Awww.”

Colin smiles and shakes his head. “You are such a girl.”

I stick my tongue out at him, “well gee, thanks for finally noticing.”

“Believe me I notice.” He mutters. I give him a puzzled look, and he glances away. “They went in there not long after you fell asleep, I dozed off too but I heard the truck start. I swear a bomb could go off and you’d still be sleeping.” He teased.

“Just one of my many talents.” I grin and he raises an eyebrow. At that point I smack him, hard, because I know exactly what he’s thinking. As he starts laughing I glance inside the truck, “think we should wake them up?” I ask.

“Nah,” he says, “Let them sleep awhile. How ‘bout you walk with me up to the concession stand and I’ll buy you breakfast?” He hops out of the back and holds out his hand.

I jump down and start tugging him up the hill. “Now you’re talking,” I say laughing.

“What’s the hurry?” He chuckles, “you can’t be that hungry.”

I laugh. “No but I’m freezing!”

He shrugs off his hoodie and hands it to me. “Put this on, or am I going to have to hold you again?”

I zip up the sweater and look up at him, “is that why we were all tangled in the blanket?”

He nods and smiles. “You said you were cold last night, so I put my arm around you and we both fell asleep. Why did you think we were tangled in the blanket?” He inquires.

I glance away and shrug, praying I wasn’t blushing, grab his arm and tug him through the door. “Come on big boy, its open.”

Kelcie’s POV

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Knock, knock, knock.

                I open my eyes slightly in the direction of loud wrapping on the window, and see Sarah with a sheepish grin staring back at me. Ugh, I groan and close my eyes.

Knock, knock, knock!

                “Go away!” I complain. She pretends not to hear me and holds up a bottle of water, I’m guessing it’s meant to be a threat. I sigh and shake Colin awake, pulling away from his warm embrace in the process. I feel colder instantly and want nothing more than to sink back into his arms. Weird. I shake my head internally and scold myself for thinking that way, it was just one kiss. But I couldn’t silence the little voice in my head wishing it was something more.

                I open the door and step into the frigid morning air, the sun was shining yet it did nothing to raise the temperature. I glance back at the truck as Colin get’s out, a smile already on his face.

“Sleep well?” He asks.

“Oh yeah, did you?”

He nodded slightly and his grin widened. My heart fluttered as a version of last night’s kiss crossed my mind. I quickly look away and we walk around to where Caleb and Sarah are standing.

“It’s ‘bout time you two cuddle buddies got up.” Sarah teased

“We weren’t the only ones cuddling last night.” Colin points out.

Sarah opens her mouth and closes it without saying anything and shrugs. But I see her face redden, she blushes so easily. Caleb clears his throat and shoots Colin a look I can’t decipher, they both smile faintly and I just shake my head. Boys.

I check my watch and glace around the Drive-in, we’re the only vehicle there. “Uh guys, I think we better leave before they kick us out.”

We all pile into Caleb’s truck and he starts the engine. “Okay where are we all going?” He asks.

“Well Colin left his van at my house so you can drop us of there.” I say

“And I’m going home with you” Sarah finishes.

We all stare at her.

“Oh-oh, no n-not like that” she stammers, “I mean my place is on the way to Caleb’s so we’re like going in the same direction.”  I start to giggle and Sarah starts to blush.

“You need to relax Sarah.” Colin chuckles.

“Ya, ya Colin, we all just need to breathe. I know.” She huffs, but smiles.

I glance at Caleb who drives in silence, his gaze never leaving the road ahead. I think of what happened with Colin and I last night as him and Sarah bicker back and forth. How could something so wrong feel so right?

Someone turns on the radio and Thompson Square fills the truck again. I glance at Colin and he smiles at me with his dark eyes, those damn eyes, my heart flutters again at the memory. I sigh inaudibly and spend the rest of the ride staring out the window in silence. I’m so confused! 

***

                We get dropped off at the end of my driveway and I wave goodbye. I walk up the drive and stop at the door. “Do you wanna come in for awhile?” I ask “Maybe we can talk about you know...”

                He smiles, “I really should get home.” He says as he gets into his van, “Maybe next time.” Next time, what did that mean?

I watch him drive away, a million questions swirling around in my head.