Chapter 9 - Better After All
~Carrie's Point of View~
The warm air hugged my face as we entered the house, hand-in-hand. I felt Ross squeeze my hand causing me to look up at him. He gave me an assuring smile before leading me to the backyard where everyone was hanging out.
Please say no one is mad!
My inner voice pleaded as we walked out the door. Mark was behind the grill flipping burgers while Stormie was helping with whatever he needed.
"Woo-hoo!" Rocky shouted as he ran and jumped off the diving board into the water. I often wonder how they swim in such chilly weather.
Ah, pool warmers...
Ryland was already in the pool swimming around with Ratliff and Riker was sitting in one of the lounge chairs. Then I noticed Rydel who looked painfully sad. She was sitting on the edge of the pool with her feet in the water. A moving object in the corner of my eye caught my attention. Riker's hand waved side to side as he gave me a weak grin. Then his eyes looked down at Rydel who was face him.
She turned around swiftly to see me. She quickly jumped up and ran to me, "I'm so sorry! I didn't realize that I was invading your privacy when I did that, I was only trying to help you win a art contest which you could earn money from! I never meant to hurt you. I-" she babbled before I cut her off.
"Rydel! It's okay, just promise me that you won't do that to me again," I sighed, smiling weakly at her.
She nodded, "I won't!"
"And did you just say that I could earn money off that?!" I asked, my eyes growing wide in excitement.
"Yes!" She giggled, hugging me.
"Hmm," I smiled, looking away. I felt my hand get squeezed once more in reminder that Ross was still here with me and we had a little bit of explaining to do.
"Uhm... But what are your thoughts and opinions about us?" I hesitantly asked Rydel.
"Are you kidding?! I think it's adorable!" She grinned, "I just couldn't believe that I never guessed it."
"We all knew it was going to happen," Riker hollered from his spot on the chair. I rolled my eyes at his eavesdropping.
"How?" I asked him, placing a hand on my hip and leaning onto one leg.
"We all knew he liked you," Rocky answered for him in the pool. I saw Ryland nod from behind him.
"I didn't know!" Rydel whined, "Do you leave me out of everything?"
"No, you just weren't there when we discussed it!" Ratliff butted in. Rydel mouthed 'oh' in realization.
"But we didn't know," Stormie spoke up, startling me. My heart started pounding so loud, I was pretty sure that the neighbors could hear it from inside their house.
"Relax sweetie," She chuckled, "We're cool with it!"
Whew! That's a relief!
"Tell me about it," Ross mind messaged me. I rolled my eyes and wondered if this mind reading thing was going to be a curse or a blessing.
"It won't be a curse! I'll get to read your thoughts!" Ross scolded through our minds. He was looking down at me with a smirk.
"Hello? Ross? Carrie?" Rydel waved her hands in our faces.
"S-sorry!" Ross and I stammered at the same time.
"What was that all about?" She laughed. We both just shrugged, trying not to make it noticeable, which it shouldn't be since no one knows that my 'powers' actually exist in the real world.
"Dinner!" Mark called as he carried the plate of burgers inside to the table. The boys dried off and followed us inside. I grabbed a paper plate and got a cheese burger before taking my seat at the table. Ross soon joined my side with two burgers on his plate.
"Hey, want to see something really funny?" I mind messaged him.
"Sure!" He messaged back. I smirked as the others took their seat and erupted into conversations. "What are you going to do?"
"Watch Rocky," I mind messaged Ross before getting ready to mind message Rocky, "Hello!" I messaged in a really high squeaky voice.
Rocky's eyes flew wide, "W-who's there?" He said out loud. Everyone stared at him in confusion as Ross and I burst into a laughing fit.
"You okay over there?" Rydel asked Rocky, trying not to catch our contagious laugh.
"I heard a voice!" He frowned, "Whatever." He grabbed his burger and began chomping on it.
"That was hilarious!" Ross mind messaged me. I giggled out loud as I finished off my burger.
"Tell me about it," I giggled in a mind message to Ross. I waited until Ross was finished with his food and that was when he got up and took my plate with him to put in the sink. Then, he came back to me. He pecked my cheek and took my hand while motioning me to follow him. I did as told and followed him all the way to his room.
"Looks like we've got some alone time on our hands," Ross smirked, intertwining our fingers as he shut his bedroom door. He stared deeply into my eyes before glancing down at my lips and back up at my eyes. I leaned forward a little and let him lean the rest of the way. Our lips connected, sending tingles throughout my body.
He just had that effect on me.
His lips trapped my top lip between his, then he switched it out for my bottom lip. His hands made their way to my hips as he pressed me up against his door.
"You're beautiful," he moaned, placing his lips back on mine. Our lips stayed in perfect sync as my hands trailed up to his hair and tugged at it. A soft moan escaped my lips as I massaged the back of his head.
"And you're handsome," I giggled, taking my lips off his for a moment.
"Are you mine?" He asked, smiling brightly at me. His brown eyes never left mine.
"I always have been. I've never really liked a guy since the day you left. Sure, I've dated a few guys but none of them compared to you. I've always belonged to you," I told him. His hands cupped my cheeks as he pressed his lips back on mine.
"I wish I would've known this much sooner, I would've tried everything to see you," he said. I smiled up at him.
"Everything happens for a reason, right?" I smiled. He nodded and pressed his lips to mine once more. My lips trapped his as strong fireworks erupted everywhere. The butterflies in my stomach started going crazy and my mind was going insane.
Did he know he had this effect?
"Will you sleep with me tonight?" He offered.
"What if I have another nightmare?" I asked nervously. It was quite embarrassing the first time he caught me in the middle of a nightmare, I don't think I could handle it again.
"It'll be fine, I'll get the chance to hold you during it. No one will start wondering things either because they already know.."
"Your parents are okay with me sleeping in the same bed as you?" I inquired, cupping his right cheek with my hand. I caressed his cheek with my thumb, making him lean into my touch.
"They're completely cool with it. They trust me!" He grinned, "Will you?"
"How can I say no to that?" I giggled, wrapping my arms around his waist. I felt him kiss the top of my head as I snuggled closer to his chest. I held one hand to my mouth as a yawn escaped my lips.
"You tired?" Ross asked, holding me out at arm length so he can look at my face. I nodded.
"Let's lay down," he sighed, smiling down at me. He helped me over to his bed where I crawled in. He pulled the covers over me and crawled in beside me.
I guess today wasn't so bad after all.
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All chapters after this one will be written by me.
- Lo *^-^*
