Roses ♢ Tanner Braungardt

6: Warm.

Kasey's POV
The rest of the bus ride, Tanner and I just talked and got to know each other a lot more. I got off at my stop.

As I walk up the steps to my house, I hear screaming and then hear something valuable shatter against the door right in front of me.

I know it's my dad and I really don't want to deal with it. Autumn is at her friend's house. The bus is still here because I walked super fast to my house and other people get off at this stop.

I run up to the bus and say "I need to get back on" and the bus driver allows it.

Tanner's stop is after mine so he's still on. As I'm walking down the aisle and back towards him he gives me a confused look.

I sit down next to him and he says, "What's wrong?"

"Just heard something I didn't wanna hear from inside my house." I reply while staring at my hands.

He uses his thumb and index finger to lift my chin so I'm looking at him. "You can tell me anything. Let me be your outlet. I care about you. And if you want, you can stay at my house. We don't have school tomorrow anyways." Tomorrow is Memorial Day.

I nod. "Thanks Tanner. I.. I really appreciate it. No ones ever cared about me like that before."

He just nods and gently pulls me into him. He holds onto me and this is the best moment in my life. We're not cuddling or hugging. He's just holding me.

I close my eyes for a moment and when I open them I realize that Tanner has moved me so I'm facing him.

I put my hand on his chest as he moves his hands to on my waist. We just stare at each other.

I know the only reason he held me like that was because he knew I was upset. I feel like we're going too fast, but the weird thing is, I love it. I don't care how fast we go. Tanner is amazing.

I stare into his sparkling ocean blue eyes as he stares into my horrible brown eyes.

We finally get to his house and Taylor is sleeping over at Lexi's house so it's just Tristan, Tanner, Mrs. Braungardt, and I. Tristan is in his room recording a video.

We say hello to Mrs. Braungardt and Tanner let's her know that I'm sleeping over. She's completely fine with it, which surprises me.

She's super nice. Tanner brings me down to his room. He starts to give me a short tour of everything, but I cut him off. "I've been in your room before. Slept in your bed."

"Oh yeah." Tanner says, rubbing the back of his neck.

I just laugh and sit on his couch. "I'm gonna text my dad to let him know where I am." I say.

He nods.

Me:
Hey dad. Staying at a friend's house tonight because there is no school tomorrow.

I don't get a reply.

I'm checking notifications on my phone when Tanner picks me up.

"Tanner stop! You won't be able to hold me up! I'm an elephant!" I yell.

He just laughs. "You're the lightest 16 year old I've ever held. You're insane." He says.

I groan as he lays me down on his bed.

"I'm so tired." I say. "what time is it?"

"6:45 pm" tanner says, laughing.

I cuddle into one side of his bed and close my eyes. I feel the bed dip beside me.

Next thing I know Tanner is reaching his hand above my waist, inside of my shirt. He's not too high up so I don't Mind where his hands are placed. I gasp because his hands are so cold.

"What's wrong?" He asks. He seems panicked.

I put my arm on his shoulder and pull him down and I cuddle into him. One of his hands is still above my waist.

"Shhhhh your hand is just cold." I say. He relaxes. I don't know why I cuddled into him. He looked so warm and I just needed to.

He wraps his other arm under my side and on my back. He plays with my hair. I fall asleep soon after.

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