Halfway In Love (#Wattys2016)

21 - If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book yet.

<Update : 07/09/16>

A/N: Hi everyone!!!! Hope you are all doing okay! Glad to bring you the next chapter for HIL!

I hope you like it, and if you do , please vote for it :)

HaPpY rEaDiNg!! :D

(p.s. HIL is ranking at #120 as of today in Teen fiction!! Can you just feel my happiness?!!! If you wanna find me, try cloud nine ;) )

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Chapter 21 - If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book yet.

Every eye in the parlor was on us, some amused, some annoyed and some curious. Shrugging away the feeling that comes with being stared at, I lowered myself back into my seat to finish my ice cream. Dave sat without invitation.

Nice, that's an improvement.

"So, now will you tell me why you are really here?" I asked. My curiosity was at the peak, really wanting to know his reason to miss school.

"I will," he started and I perked up, "if you do." He finished.

Is that? No it can't. Can it? Was that a slight smirk on his face? A face that only ever smiled cutely and brightly and softly and gently? I shook my head and it was gone. Maybe it was just my imagination, because he was now smiling like he always did.

But I must admit, that imagination looked really good. Really really good.

"Like you said, I should take a break, so I did." I blurted out. Surprised and shocked at how easily the words came out of my mouth. He put his hand on mine which was resting on the table, sliding his thumb across the back of it. My eyes followed this alien action, wondering what the hell was happening inside me all of a sudden; and how it alone was able to calm the agitation that was sure to rage on any minute.

"Stephanie-"

"Steph." I corrected him smiling and he smiled back at me.

"You just don't know how to say no, do you?" He asked looking at me with the strangest expression ever. It looked something between amused and awe, respect and admiration.

I shook my head, looking down, once again at our joined hands, it tugged at something inside of me.

"Why?" He asked slowly but just then his phone rang. He let go of my hand, gave me an apologetic smile, excused himself and went out the door, talking rapidly to someone. My hand felt strangely alone.

Sorry what? Your hand feels alone? And who am I, your next door neighbor?

My right hand seemed greatly offended.

I was up and packed to leave just as he came in. Our previous conversation already forgotten.

"So....what next?" He asked, falling into steps beside me.

"What, you're accompanying me?" I asked surprised.

"Yeah."

"Wow, um.." I began and he cut me off.

"It's okay if you don't want me to." He chuckled. I thought about it. Obviously I Ioved it when I was alone. It was an outwardly experience to be traveling all by myself. Because then I could go anywhere I wanted to rather than the people I was with.

So....what next? But Dave had asked me my plan. So that meant I could still go wherever I wanted to. I realized I was making a real big deal of this. If he wants to come, then I should let him. Right? Right?