We walked down to the car garage and paid the bill. Cole insisted he pay since I helped him when he was drunk. I couldn't turn him down because I didn't have enough money to pay the bill anyways.
We started the car, said our thank-you's, and left. "I'm hungry, wanna go get something to eat?" I asked Cole. "Sure, I was getting hungry anyways." I don't know if I'm convinced or not.
We eventually came upon a nice café and decided we'd eat there. We walked out of the car and to each other's side. He looked down and intertwined our fingers. I looked at him to already be looking into his eyes.
I smiled and laid my head on his shoulder. He dropped my hand and put his arm around my shoulders as we walked in.
We ordered our meals and took a seat at a corner booth. "Thanks again." Cole said as he messed with the ring on my finger.
"For what?" I asked.
"Everything." He responded. "You're right, by the way." He added.
I gave him a confused look. "You were right that I'd put you through Hell and back." He mumbled.
"No, Cole, I wasn't. I was just angry that you'd done that to yourself. I'm sorry."
He looked up and I saw resentment in his eyes.
"Maybe you'd be better off if I stayed out of your life. I just seem to keep ruining some aspect of it every time I come near you." He blurted.
My mouth opened in shock. I felt unshed tears sting my eyes.
"I'll be in the car." I mumbled.
I pushed myself out of the booth and made my way towards the car.
I opened the door and got in. I put the keys in the ignition and turned on the radio.
"At fourteen I used to talk to myself, paint my bedroom with stars. One for each time my dad flaked out, got a galaxy of scars. You know that feeling that you get when you, start to run out of breath and you. Pass out, wake up, wig out not knowing where you are. I'm safer here inside my submarine 'cause when I'm underwater you can't say anything, I can't hear anything. O-o-o-hio. I don't need Hollywood. I don't need New York heights, or Las Vegas lights. I need O-o-o-hio."
After that line finished I heard the car door open. I quickly wiped away my tears and turned off the radio. I drove out of the parking lot after I made sure Cole was in the vehicle.
After the hour long drive was endured I parked in Cole's driveway. I looked over and saw him asleep. I smiled and texted my dad I'd be home later than expected.
I laid my head back and replayed the lyrics in my head. And soon enough, I'd fallen asleep. I looked over, Cole was gone. I looked up into his bedroom window and saw him watching me. My eyes met his and he left the window.
I nodded and drove my car back to my house.
I unlocked the door and bolted up to my room where I face planted into my bed. The unshed tears that were still lingering let loose as I heard a small knock on my door.
"Please, go away." I said half-heartedly.
"I'm your dad, I'm not planning on going away any time soon." He replied.
I didn't answer in hopes of him dropping the subject all together. I heard my door click open and the bed dented down at my dad's weight.
"Honey, what's wrong? Do I have to shoot someone?" He tried. I let out a small giggle at how serious he sounded.
I sat up and gave him a hug. "Shooting him won't make anything better." I mumbled into his shoulder. "What happened?" He asked.
"I don't want to talk about it." I sighed. "Thanks dad."
Cole's POV
I woke up and saw Leisa asleep in the drivers seat. I internally smiled but realized she'd probably hate me when she woke up. I quietly opened the door and got out, quietly shutting it behind me.
I walked into my house and up the stairs into my bedroom. I peered out the window just in time to see Leisa waking up. She looked up and we locked eyes for a few seconds. I chickened out and backed away as fast as possible.
I need to stay out of her life, I don't want to do something that will hurt her.
It was ten o'clock that night and I was contemplating texting her. I opened up my messages and clicked into Leisa's contact. At that very moment the little speech bubble indicating that she was typing popped up.
Two seconds later a text popped up.
L- "Why do you hate me?"
I felt such a pang of hurt a tear escaped my eye. I could never hate Leisa, no matter how hard I tried to.
I went downstairs and knocked on my mom's bedroom door. "If you're a murderer, come back tomorrow." She answered.
I chuckled slightly at her behavior. "It's not a murderer, it's Cole." I replied. "I need your advice."
"Then come in." She said with a sigh. I walked in and plopped onto her bed. "It's about Leisa." I started.
She suddenly marked her page and closed her book. She seemed oddly interested.
"What's happened to Leisa?" She questioned, audibly concerned. "Nothing has, I need advice about Leisa." I've never really talked to my mom about girls so this is awkward.
She motioned for me to continue. "I really like her--" I started. "I KNEW IT!" My mom screamed. "Can I finish what I was saying, or not?" I asked.
She nodded again. "So, I really like her but I don't think she likes me back. I haven't told her I like her because I don't want to hurt her reputation or anything. I'm afraid that every time I'm with her, I get more attached. I think I ruin some aspect of her life whenever I'm around her, I told her that part but she just got up and left."
My mom leaned forward and flicked me in the forehead. "You are so clueless." She murmured. "What?" I questioned as I rubbed my forehead.
"She likes you too, you dork. Can't you see it? She would give up her 'reputation' to be with you, I'm sure of it."
