Just Another Happy Ending

Chapter 8: Pretty Okay

I can hear the crackling of the fire as I open my eyes on this Saturday morning. Evan is still asleep and we are wrapped in a warm blanket. I smile softly at him watching how peaceful he looks. I eventually stop staring realizing it's creepy to watch people sleep. I move the blanket back to see his arm loosely around me.

I hadn't noticed it until now and when I move to get up he tightens it around me. I look up at him. "Hey Evan. I need to get up." He groans opening his eyes realizing it. "Oh gees..." He moves it quickly blushing lightly. I get up and smile at him. "Thanks." I head up the stairs finding a bathroom.

There's no light so I have to sit in the dark. After I wash my hands, I head back down kinda hoping Evan's warm embrace would still be there. I'm not really sure why though. As I step off the last step I see Evan's head. I head around the couch sitting back down next to him. He sighs peeking over at me.

"Riley I'm sorry about that." I shake my head pull the blanket we are sharing back over me. "Don't sweat it Evan. It's probably what kept me warm all night." He smiles laying his head back down and I lay my head on his shoulder. He let's his arm lay loosely around me again and I smile.

What was I doing?! I didn't know this man hardly. That thought didn't seem to stop me. "Evan do you mind if I ask more questions?" He hums softly shaking his head but his eyes are still shut. I clear my throat softly and just watch the flames. "How old are you?" He laughs softly at the question.

I frown slightly thinking maybe the question was dumb. "I'm 19 Riley but maybe you should have asked before you fell asleep on me." I cover my face laughing some to myself. He shakes me softly and I pull my hands down trying to let my smile fade. Riley get a grip, please. I sigh. "Well I could say the same for you. Pulling me close and wrapping your arm around me without even knowing the slightest bit about me."

He smiles watching my face and I swear I see him move closer some but the lights in the beach house distract me as they come on. As I gaze up at him I see the lights haven't affected his thoughts. "I was just trying to help a friend feel warm and safe." I smirk seeing right through his innocent little act that he thinks should have shattered my heart and made me feel bad for questioning. "Okay Evan. I'll pretend to buy that as long as you pretend to not treat me like I'm naive."

He touches my face softly. He just gazes down at me and my breath catches in my throat but I hoped he hadn't noticed. "Hey I never said you were naive. I'm sorry I made you feel that way." I look down letting his hand fall from my face. I throw the blanket off me.

"Forget it Evan. The sun is out, maybe we should get going." He shakes his head standing and he towers over me. I look down knowing he just can't let this go for some reason. At the moment, I'm more confused than anything. "Riley don't be upset. We have only been friends for a day. I don't want to start off this way. I know you're not dumb and the things I say or do I know your smart enough to understand the meaning. If you want to go home I'll take you but I just want to be on good terms."

Now I'm even more confused. Did he intentionally put his arm around me last night? I feel like I'm going crazy and I just want to go away where my thoughts can take me over and I can disappear. "Take me home." He sighs nodding softly. We gather our things before heading across the beach to his car.

The waves seem calmer now but I still just want to let them engulf me for all the things swimming around in my head. When we get to his car in silence I glance up at him. His face seems harsh as he unlocks the doors. I climb into the car just wanting to disappear as I feel his eyes on me as I watch out my window at the soft nature around me.

He eventually closes his door starting the car and pulling off. "Mind telling me where you live?" I stare out the window feeling he's mad at me and I don't like it. "A block from the school." I give him directions and before I know it we are pulling up to my house. I glance over at him and he locks eyes with me.

"Ri..." I shake my head softly. "Evan, this is on me. I have a lot floating around in my head and if I could pin it down I would tell you but I can't and until I figure it out there's not much left to say. You are still my friend and I had fun yesterday but this matter is closed until I bring it back up. Talking about it just makes it worse."

He smiles leaning over to hug me. "Okay Riley. I'll see you Monday then?" I nod softly opening my door getting out. Before I shut it I see him wink softly I could have sworn. I roll my eyes shutting the door. He waits for me to get into the house before pulling off.

As I step in I'm greeted by my sisters warm hug. "Thank God you're okay." I smile at the affection from her as I hug her back. When we pull apart she squats down to pick something up that had fallen out of my pants that were in my hand. "You dropped this." I take it and she steps into the kitchen. "You must be starving after being stuck in that house all day. By the way that guy has to be pretty okay if he didn't attempt to leave any marks while you two where completely alone out there."

I open the piece of paper seeing a phone number wet from the rain with the word 'Evan' under it. I smile to myself realizing he had slipped it in my pocket yesterday. "Yeah....he's pretty okay."

Enjoy💙

P.s. Sorry if it's bad I had to work today so I'm running on fumes. 😔 But I gave it my best shot.