It Started with a Dare

13

I crashed onto my bed when Emilee and Marcus dropped me off, which was around ten o'clock. Then, I groaned. I needed to take a shower, so I reluctantly got up, grabbed my clothes, and made my way to the bathroom.

I hurried with my shower and got dressed, my muscles screaming in protest. Then, I brushed my teeth and returned to my room, where I found Ridge sitting on my bed. I raised my eyebrows. "Hello," I said.

"Kyle let me in," Ridge replied, smiling.

"Oh, okay," I said, walking over to my bed. I crawled behind Ridge and laid down.

"Are you not going to stay up and talk to me?" he laughed.

I frowned. "I'm sorry, but I'm exhausted," I said.

Ridge shrugged and kicked off his shoes then stood. He turned the light off quickly then ran, literally, back to my bed, jumping in beside me. I laughed as we both slid underneath the covers.

"I don't like the dark," he admitted, throwing an arm over my waist. Even in the moonlight, I saw him blush.

I smiled. "I don't either," I said.

"Good. You can protect me from the boogeyman because I doubt you hate it as much as me," Ridge laughed breathlessly.

"Isn't the guy supposed to protect the girl?" I asked.

Ridge smiled. "You are the guy in the boogeyman situation," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, scaredy cat," I said.

Ridge planted a kiss on my lips. "Goodnight, Braelyn," he whispered.

"Goodnight, Ridge," I whispered back.
××××××
My alarm went off, waking me from a deep sleep. I groaned along with a deeper groan. I flipped over, a weight on my waist, and Ridge was still laying beside me.

He groaned again. "Babe, can you please shut the alarm off?" he asked, and I leaned over him and pushed the button, ceasing the annoying beeping noise. Ridge wrapped his arms around my waist. "Morning."

"You have killer morning breath," I laughed.

"So do you," Ridge shot back. Then, he smiled. "Does morning breath mean that I don't get a kiss?"

I nodded. "Yep," I said, but he kissed me anyway. Thought from last night came back. "Ridge," I said.

"Yeah?"

"What does this mean?" I asked. My began beating fast. What would he say?

"What does what mean?" He asked, pushing a piece of hair behind my ear.

I bit my lip. "Are we a...am I your..." I trailed off, my fear getting the best of me. I cursed myself mentally. I was such a coward.

He grinned. "Yes, Braelyn, it does mean we're dating," he said, catching on to what I was saying.

I nodded, feeling relieved. "Okay," I said.

He gave me another kiss. "We have to get ready for school," he said.

"You can ask Kyle for some clothes. I don't recommend that you ask my other two idiot brothers because they never wash their clothes unless Kyle or I do laundry," I said. "There's also brand new toothbrushes under the sink."

"Okay," Ridge said, sliding out from under me. He left the room, shutting the door behind him. I got up and made my way to my closet. I grabbed a pair of ripped skinny jeans and my Green Day t-shirt. I changed into it then grabbed my lucky Converse and a pair of socks.

Ridge came back into the room after I was done tying my shoes. I smiled at him. "I'm going to finish getting ready," I said. Ridge nodded, and I made my way to the bathroom where I did my hair and brushed my teeth.

Ridge waited for me in my room, and I grabbed my backpack and phone. "Ready?" I asked.

"Yep, let's go," he said.

I sent a text to Emilee, telling her Ridge was taking me to school. Not even a minute later, she tested back.

Ooh, so I guess the talk went as planned ;)

I sent her a smiley face and typed a yes. Ridge looked over at me as I got into his car. "Emilee?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, I had to tell her not to pick me up," I said, fastening my seatbelt.

He smiled. "Oh, I see," he replied.

"Yeah."

Ten minutes later we arrived at the school. Everyone stared at us as we walked in. Ridge grabbed my hand, ignoring the stares. I looked at him, and he looked at me then winked.

I blushed. I spotted Emilee, Marcus...and Xavier at the end of the hall, by my locker. Xavier looked at Ridge and my intertwined hands, and he looked hurt.

Emilee smiled as we approached my locker. "My, my, my. What do we have here?" she asked.

"Hello, guys," Ridge greeted.

Xavier didn't say anything, but Emilee and Marcus greeted him back. I let go of Ridge's hand and put in my combination. I playfully elbowed Xavier in the stomach.

"I haven't seen you around much. Is everything okay?" I asked, pulling out my things for first period.

Xavier forced a smile. "Been busy," he said.

I nodded. "Okay, just checking. You had me worried," I said, shutting my locker.

The warning bell rang, and we all departed. Ridge, Emilee, and I all went to homeroom, and Marcus and Xavier went to theirs. I looked back at Xavier, who stared back at me with hurt in his eyes.