cocoon || reece bibby

14

a week later

i was on my sofa, laying sideways with my head on reece's lap, facing away from him, my eyes closed as reece caringly played with my hair, the boys over at my house again, blake and george on one of the other sofas.

george and blake laughed loudly and imitated the supposedly funny scene in the movie, reece resultantly whining, "guys, be quiet! ella's asleep."

"you're whipped and you're not even dating." george chuckled.

"yeah, when are you gonna tell her you like her?" blake asked and i opened my eyes.

"now." i mumbled, winking at blake and george, them giggling, and i rolled onto my back so i was looking up at reece, him smirking back at me, but looking a little nervous.

"i like you." reece said softly, his dimples showing.

"thanks, i know." i teased and he whined, george and blake chuckling.

"let me consult my babies." i joked, grabbing my dogs and pretending to listen to them talking. "we've decided we like you too." i giggled.

"you're such a child." reece grinned.

"we've now decided we don't like you anymore." i teased and he leant down to peck my lips.

i turned back onto my side and closed my eyes again, reece lacing his fingers with mine, his free hand still gently playing with my hair.

a small smile was planted on my lips as i fell asleep about 15 minutes later, the boys occasionally playfully teasing reece.

a week later

i pulled up at the café at 2.17am, and noticed reece's car, and assumed he was here, so when i got in, walked round to the left side, to see him sat in his usual seat.

"hi." i said softly, sitting next to reece, and when he looked at me his eyes were red and cheeks tearstained.

"baby," i gushed, holding his hand in both of mine, "are you okay? what's happened?" i asked, and moved one of my hands up to cup his cheek, my thumb gently caressing his cheek.

"i'm sorry."

"no, don't be, it's alright. tell me what's up."

"can i kiss you?"

"um, yeah, of course, but i doubt it--" i started, but was cut off by his lips on mine.

he pulled away a minute later, and put an arm around my shoulder.

"i'm just kinda stressed and tired and whatever my mum does gets on my nerves. i try not to let it, it's probably not her fault, but i miss when everything was alright and i could be home more for lexi." reece mumbled.

"you just need to sleep, and your mum's probably annoying because she cares and because you're tired. and, it's not your fault you can't always be there. you being away is inevitable, just make sure you make the most of when you are there." i said, "come and stay at my place for a bit." i offered.

"thank you." he smiled, and i stood up, him following me and grabbing my hand.

"um, i'll see you there?" i said, motioning to the two cars.

"okay," he said with a small smile, as we both got into our cars and drove to my house.

i lay on my side in what was now my regular bed attire, reece in just his boxers.

my arm was across his chest, my hand tracing shapes gently on his skin, reece's arm around my shoulder.

"will you be my girlfriend?" he blurted. "like, i know we haven't really been properly friends for that long, but i really like you, but, you don't have--"

"i'd love to." i giggled, cutting his ramble off and moving to kiss him, feeling him smile into it, causing me to.