How I See You

Chapter 15 - Will here.

Will here.

I wake up the next day with the sunlight creeping through the curtains sleepily. I close my eyes again, smiling when I remember last night. I waited for that day for ages. To just hold her against my chest and spend time with her in a special place alone.

I’m not gonna lie – that kiss we had was pretty . . . sexy. Seriously. I think it wasn’t just the rain but the way she kissed me as if she really meant it. And we kissed for ages. I hope we stay on kissing terms, because, God . . . It’s amazing.

I drag myself up and walk downstairs half-asleep. When I get into the kitchen, my dad is sat there with his usual mug of coffee watching TV on the sofa.

“Morning, Will,” he says brightly. “Your mother’s not in a good mood. Something about wet clothes in the laundry basket . . .”
Damn.

I got back inside at about two in the morning last night. Me and Alyssa stayed outside under the shelter of the trees but still we were soaking wet. I dumped all my wet clothes in the laundry basket, but what the hell was I thinking? Obviously it’ll look suspicious. I was half asleep.

I put some bread in the toaster and then get some orange juice.

Then my mum storms in, a crease on her brow, her hair tied up.

“Will?” she says my name sharply. “Why are your clothes wet and in the laundry basket?”
“I . . . er . . .” I look around for inspiration. “I . . . It was raining yesterday. I got soaked when I was coming home from the cinema.”

She raises an eyebrow. “I only saw them this morning. They weren’t in there yesterday.”
I frown. “They were.”

She gives me a weird look and I turn away from her and start eating.

“What are you doing today?” my mum asks.

Suspicion immediately builds up inside me. “I don’t know. Why?”
“So you’ve got nothing planned?”
“I was thinking of hanging out with some friends . . .” I mutter. I don’t like where this is going.

“Which friends?” My dad has joined in.

Oh, crap. Niall’s gone on some adventure holiday with his dad for the weekend, and I hung out with Tai and the others yesterday, plus I always arrange to hang out with them. I don’t randomly call round because they live on the other side of town.

“I . . . er . . .” I run a hand through my hair. “Well, I think Katy’s not doing anything. And there’s . . . um, the girl that’s moved into number five.”
Mum raises her eyebrows. “Oh. What’s her name?”

“Alyssa.” My face is burning slightly.

“Will, are you blushing?” she grins.

I scowl. “No . . .”

“So what’s this Alyssa like?” my dad asks.

I shrug carelessly, but I know I can’t do it right. “She’s nice.”

“Pretty?” my mum asks, clearing away my plate.

“Mum,” I groan.

She comes over and squeezes my cheek. “Oh, Will. Now, don’t you go breaking any hearts with your good looks, will you?”
I glance over at my dad, and he looks like he is killing himself trying to not laugh.

“She’s just a girl,” I huff. “Stop it.”

I’m just making things worse now. They both laugh.

“Just a girl?” my mum smiles. “No, I can see she’s more than just a girl. You talk about her in a different way than you talk about Katy.”