Just Friends

Chapter 28

Most of the ride was spent with sleep. This time I laid my head on Tyler and he couldn't do anything to stop me. Well, he could've but I wasn't going to let him.

We talked to his mom about our visit a bit but soon felt it was alright to rest our emotions for a bit.

We're stopping now, at the same gas station we did on the way there. No need for gas but a need for some actual food. They grill your burgers and make the pizza right where you can see it, but can't get to it.

Tyler's mom ordered a pizza on our way here. We were asleep.

I yawn and stretch as I step out of the car. Tyler smiles at me before he puts an arm around my shoulders.

Inside, you can smell the pizza cooking.

"Mmm." We sigh simultaneously. He laughs and kisses my head.

"Did you sleep well?" He asks.

"Yeah, why?" I feel the back of my head to check for bed head, soon figuring out that I must've put it up.

"No reason, just being kind and asking." He days genuinely. "I forgot to mention, your eye looks better."

"I thought so too." I bring my hand to my shoulder where his rests and hold onto a finger. I yawn again and let my head fall onto his chest.

"You're cute." He says. I can tell he's smiling. I let go of his finger and he turns to face me.

"I know we talked about it the other day, but when are you going to man up and ask me?" I ask jokingly.

"Meh, I don't think I will." He says jokingly. I glare at him and hold up a fist. "I'm not afraid of you." He states. When I punch his arm, he doesn't even move. He just stands there, staring at me.

"Seriously?"

"Yep." He says, popping the 'p'. "You're doing it wrong anyways. You want to come in like this..." He takes my hand and twists it so he sees columns instead of spaces. "Like that. Also punch through, not at. That is if you really want to hurt someone." I punch his arm like he showed me.

"Like that?" I ask proudly.

"Yeah, except you hit like a girl."

"I can also kick so..."

"Point taken."

"Kids, use the bathroom before we go please. If you need more to drink, get something." Diana says. We both walk back to the bathroom.

"Uhm, I'm going first." I say. I'm standing in the doorway, holding onto the knob.

"Or are you?" He pushes past me and into the bathroom. He unzips his pants slowly, waiting for me to do something I assume.
"What can I help you with?" I ask.

"I have to-"

"And I said I was going first."

"I'm closer." He says. I glare at him before exiting the room and waiting right outside.

☆☆
We enter our town at about five o'clock. That's when I woke up.

We're pulling into the Walker's driveway, slowly but surely. As the car comes to a stop, Tyler runs a hand over my face. I smile and sit up.

"I knew you woke up because you jumped when we hit the railroad tracks." I nod slowly.

"So you ran your hand over my face?"

"Yes." He says plainly before getting out of the car. Ok then.

After a few minutes, Tyler decides it's time to walk me home. He hugs me tight and leaves an arm around my shoulders. I put one around his waist.

"Thanks."

"For what?" I ask.

"For coming with me today. I appreciate it."

"Anytime." I answer. "I can't say I know how hard it must've been for you, but it had to have been hard."

"It was, it really was. But it helped that you were there, you know?" I nod. "If there is any way I can repay the favor, don't hesitate to ask."

"It wasn't exactly a favor but, alright, whatever."

"You know what I mean." He huffs, bumping his hip into mine.

"I know." I smile.

When we reach my front door, he stops and grabs my shoulders.

"Riley, I..." he looks me in the eyes and sighs. "I really enjoy being around you." He smiles.

"Is that what you actually wanted to say?"

"No. Well yes but..." he pauses and looks away, inhaling sharply. "There's a time and place for everything, but now isn't either of those."

"Oh..." my shoulders drop. He frowns.

"Don't be like that. I'll tell you eventually, just not today." He presses his head against mine and kisses my nose. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright." I say. Without another word, he smiles and walks down the street and into the darkness.

Our house is lit up inside but it's quiet. It's a deafening quiet, the one where your ears almost ring because there's no other sound.

I look into the living room as I walk past it. Nobody's there. It's only six, maybe they went out.

----
If I would've made this chapter any longer, it would've been a chapter and a half.

Anyways, it's Friday, that's why this is being published. But uh, I'm rewriting Falling for You and it's going to be better than it was, I promise. Longer even. I'm excited about it but I must finish this one first, which must come to a close soon, unless I make it 100 chapters. Which is a lot but it could be accomplished in this one.

Well, thank you again for reading!