Just Kidding | ✔️

Chapter 21: Detour

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"So are you coming to my house or are we going to yours?" Cooper's voice is hushed behind me, his lips brushing themselves against my ear gently.

Currently sixth period started quite a while back and here stands Cooper switching from his previous seat in front of me to the one beside me.

"What are you talking about?" I ask. Watching as he glares down at the girl in the seat he's so intent on occupying. "Move." He demands and the innocent girl shudders away.

"Seriously?" I scoff.

Throwing his backpack down he pulls the desk closer to mine, takes a seat and says. "I'm talking about the project of course. Mrs.Lenard said we needed to meet up after school to. . .whatever the hell she meant."

"Your house." I jab a finger at his chest, facing the front of the room to catch up on the notes I've missed while talking to him.

Movement in the corner of my eye catches my attention and I'm looking up to find Dawson turning his desk to face Cooper and I. I'd inform Cooper but I'm not quite sure that's a good idea after what happened earlier, speaking of which-

"Listen Cooper," I clear my throat. Turning towards him to see he's doodling in his notebook. At my voice he looks up and I continue. "I want to talk to you about what happened at lunch.

He tenses but not before long does he ask. "What about it?"

"Well nothing. Just that you looked like you were," I lower my voice to a whisper. "About to kill Dawson."

Cooper chuckles. Wiping a hand over his jaw he leans in close to my ear. "Because I was."

I shiver. Not willingly but it just happened. Is it bad I thought that was kind of. . .hot? I'm so zoned out I must not of heard the bell ring because when Cooper captures my attention next, the class is empty and the halls are full.

"Meet me by my car after school." He says and struts out of the room moments later.

With the thought of actually spending time with Cooper out of school, seventh period passes by as slow as a snail during rush hour. Once I'm out of my last class though, my heart begins to race and my palms sweat profusely.

Should I be this nervous? Is this normal? Only last week I would've punched him in the face for requesting any time with me. Last week I doubt we would've gotten this far. But things have changed.

"Be careful." There's a whisper behind me, keeping me from making it onto the tar of the parking lot. I spin around and there's Bryce, his eyes a shade of overwhelming concern and his lips downturned. "Why is that?" I ask. My patience has already combusted long ago and I'd be lying if I said Bryce wasn't the cause of some of it.

This worry that Bryce is consumed by, day after day, should only be reserved for my brother. I mean, not even Riley or Chloe are this tense.

"Guys like that," Bryce nods his head behind me where I find Cooper leaning against his car. His eyes scanning over me temporarily before returning to his phone.

"They want more than just studying together. They want sex, and you, more than anyone know that he is infamous for that. I mean he's probably slept with half of the school's population by now-" Bryce scoffs.

"Where is this heading?" I ask.
"I just want you to be careful, Kyla."
"Well, thank you for your concern but I am a big girl now. I can take care of myself." I pat his back and quickly stroll towards my ride, those nervous jitters returning.

Earlier I let Blake know that I wouldn't be going home with him and that I had a project to complete with Cooper. He was surprised to say the least but thankfully didn't put up a fight as he usually does when I want to hang out with Bryce.

"Were you just talking about me Kyla?" Cooper's lips curl up into a grin of mischief once I arrive and before I can open my door, he does it for me.

"Yes, actually. It was about how your need for sex is untamable." I chuckle.

"Very funny." He rolls his eyes and just as I'm about to duck inside the sports car I point a finger at him. "You won't touch me. Understand?"

He raises his hands in defeat and makes his way back to the driver's side. The two of us hop in and he starts the car seconds later.

"Before we go to my place I just need to make a quick stop somewhere." Buckling himself up, he adjusts his mirrors and the volume of his radio then looks my way when I ask,

"Where exactly do you need to stop at?"

He grins. Without warning he leans over me, reaching into the glovebox all the while my heart begins to race and my breathing deepens. "W-what are you doing?" God he must sense how nervous this makes me. I guarantee if a hot male specimen leaned over your lap, you'd react the same.

Once he's sinking back into his seat again, I notice he's got dark sunglasses in his hand. "Oh." I breathe.

"Don't get too excited over there Kyla, or I'm going to have to ask you to keep your hands off of me as well." Chuckling, Cooper throws on his shades. Gripping the clutch he takes off.

The entire ride is pretty quiet and I'm surprised at how comfortable the silence is when driving down the winding roads towards our first location.

Pulling into the parking lot we pass a sign that reads: UCLA Medical Center. I have to ask, "Why are we here?"

Without speaking, Cooper unbuckles his seat belt and turns towards me. Removing his sunglasses he gestures to the doors leading into the large building.

I don't think, I just get out of the car and follow him until we're standing before the great big hospital.

Then out of the blue he says

"My brother is in there."