Wishing for Hope

Chapter 27

I guess I had fallen asleep at the airport because I was woken up by Lane nudging me in the shoulder and grabbing my bag for me.
I stood up and saw Conner and Porter already boarding the plane.
I had a pout of my face because I wasn't sure how Conner and I were going to fix this. I have spent my fair share of time being mad at him for stupid reasons, but now he was mad at me and had a good reason to be.
I sped walked to catch up with Lane and I grabbed his hand in mine. He looked down at me with a questioned expression but I just smiled at him.
On the plane ride to Dallas which is where our layover was I sat next to Lane.
"So I was thinking I'd stay in Alaska for college" he said to me.
I nodded my head and thought about California, Lane knew about my offer but I never told him about my interview or how I even got the interview.
"I would love to go to college in New York, but I think I'm gonna head out to California. I mean I already have a full ride there."
This time Lane nodded "just promise you'll come back and see me in Alaska."
"Once I leave I don't think I'll come back, maybe to see my parents but that's it" I said with a serious expression.
"I'll have to come see you then" Lane said with a equally serious tone.

While in the Dallas airport I tried to talk to Conner but he walked away before I got the chance. Sighing I sat down next to Lane and scrolled through my phone.

The next plane ride I just slept and then slept on the car ride home. It was 3 in the morning and traveling really wore me out. We all just decided to stay at Lane's and Porter's for the night, none of us were going to school anyways. Once inside Conner shot off somewhere not speaking to anyone. Was he still that mad at me? Or was it so much more and I was once again being selfish and childish?
I started to head towards the living room when Lane grabbed my hand and shook his head no. He lead me upstairs and to his room.
He closed the door behind us and I just stood there, I wasn't sure what I was doing up here.
"I got to used to sleeping next to you" Lane said with his famous smile.
I rolled my eyes playfully and climbed into his bed.
He followed after and pulled me close to him. I inhaled his scent and started to drift off. For some reason I opened my eyes a little and Lane was already looking at me.
"I heard you the other night" I said then covered my mouth while my eyes grew big.
"Heard what?" He asked.
I looked down and said "that you loved me."
When I peaked my head up Lane's eyes were closed and he hadn't answered me.
"Lane?" I asked but still no answer.
I took myself out of his embrace and turned over to the other side of the bed.
He didn't pull me back.

In the morning when I woke up Lane wasn't in the bed and I just wanted to go home.
I slowly walked down the stairs trying to find Lane. He wasn't in the kitchen, basement or living room. The only place left was the living room I fled from.
I tiptoed down the hallway and entered the room, Lane was sitting there watching tv.
"Hey" I said but my voice broke a little.
Lane snapped his head towards me then went back to watching tv like I wasn't important.
Was he mad that I had heard him? Maybe this was his way of rejecting me and I didn't know why but that hurt like hell.
I wanted to cry but I wouldn't let myself.
"Will you take me home?" I asked my voice a little stronger.
Still he didn't answer me and I let a tear fall down.
I turned around and started to walk down the hallway.
"Hope wait!" Lane yelled after me.
I stopped walking and turned around to face him.
He was extremely close to me.
He put his arm around my lower back and lifted me up just a little and then put his other hand around my face.
In what seems like slow motion he leaned down and ever so gently placed his lips on mine for a few seconds.
When he saw that I wasn't pulling away he deepened the kiss and pulled me closer.
I was shocked but I didn't want to pull away. After a few seconds I put my arms around his neck and started to kiss him back.
We just stood there is his hallway kissing for what seemed like forever.
After awhile he pulled away and smiled down at me.
My face grew hot and I untangled my arms and stepped back from him.
He grabbed my waist and pulled me back in "I love you Hope" he said to me and I sucked in a breath.
"I-I-I u-uhm" I stuttered out not knowing what to say.
"I need to go home" I finally ended up saying.
I once again stepped away from him and proceeded down the hallway to the front door.

I waited outside for Lane but I had a feeling he was still standing the hallway. I pulled out my almost dead phone and called a taxi.

When I arrived home my parents greeted me with two huge hugs, I guess they had taken the day off from work. My brother was still home and he even hugged me which was weird.

"How was New York?" He asked me

"It was really great" I said while walking up the stairs.

"So are you sure you're not dating that Lane kid?" He asked while following me.

I started to unpack my clothes while answering my brother "I'm sure, he likes me but I just want to be friends"

My brother just kind of looked at me for a little bit "the guy more then just likes you"

I sighed and looked over at him "I know"

"Then why don't you go for it? You've been depressed for months and he seems to be good for you" he said to me.

I narrowed my eyes at him "when did you get all grown up?" I asked him and we both started to laugh.

"Are you going to bring him to the wedding?' He asked

"Yeah probably"

He hugged me one more time then left my room. I decided to look through the photos I took this weekend. I was really pleased with the pics until I got to one, it was the one I took of Lane while he walked away from me in New York. I uploaded it to my computer and changed it to black and white and printed it off. I grabbed an old picture frame and put it in there, then placed it on my dresser. I was going to need to walk away from Lane one day just like he walked away from me in that picture.