Riley
"So he kissed you??" I asked.
"Well not exactly. I mean he did, but it was on the cheek." Dustie said.
"Aw that's so cute, though."
"Yeah, it was."
Dustie and I were sitting in my floor, eating some cookies my mom had made us and she was telling me about her date with Calum and turning about three different shades of red right now.
"So are ya'll going out again?"
"Well we went for froyo yesterday, and he wants to try and hang out this weekend, so I don't know. I hope so. He's so fun and I can just be myself around him, which I love."
"That's great. You should be able to be yourself around him." I said.
"Yeah, I agree. Sooo you and Michael, what's going on there?"
"Nothing." I said a little too quick.
She raised an eyebrow at me and slowly nodded her head. "Okay, did you come straight home when you left school yesterday?"
"What does that matter?" I asked.
"Just answer the question."
I sighed. "No, he needed help with schoolwork so I helped him. We stayed out a little too late and he bought me dinner."
"You guys are so a thing." She said chuckling.
"No, we're not. We aren't even together."
"Yet, not together yet. It's so obvious he's into you, and I know you are into him. You have been since ninth grade."
She was right. Ever since he had walked into class two years ago I had been crushing on him. I don't even know why, I hadn't even known him and then when his family moved in next door I was so happy but also scared. I didn't want him knowing I had a crush on him, but I couldn't help it. No matter what I just couldn't get over him and now all of this was happening and I just didn't know what to think.
"Ri, don't fight it. I know you got feelings for him and that you're scared, but you've got to stop fighting it."
"I just can't handle getting hurt again." I said, almost to myself.
"I know, but you may just miss out on something great."
She had a point and no matter how much I wanted to argue with her or tell it wouldn't work, she was right about the whole thing. The truth was, I wanted there to be something with Michael. I wanted us to be a thing and I wanted it more than I wanted anything else.
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On Monday morning I rolled out of bed. I walked to my bathroom and washed my face. I went to my closet pulling out a t shirt and jeans and put them on. I straightened my hair, put on some makeup and grabbed my bag before heading downstairs. Mom had made muffins, so I grabbed one and ate while pouring myself some juice. As soon as I had finished drinking, the doorbell rang. I kissed Mom on the cheek and ran to open it. Michael was standing there.
"Ready to go?" He asked.
"Um, yeah I guess." I said. He had been picking me up a lot lately and I had no idea how Dustie knew this, because she had told me nothing. I was going to have to ask her. I walked out and closed the door behind me. I followed Michael to his car and threw my stuff in the back, then getting in the front seat.
"So did you do the homework you were supposed to do?" I asked.
He nodded his head. "Sure did."
"Good." I said. He smiled at the praise. I had been helping him with homework and making sure that he was doing all of his assignments. He was starting to do some better, and I was also enjoying spending time with him.
