Right There || Dylan O'Brien

chapter three; phone numbers

Both of the sisters were sitting in the car at 10 on their way to IKEA, where they'd look for furniture for Sandra's new apartment with her boyfriend. She had woken up Clara when she was still in a deep sleep, which is why she now was yawning every minute. She had to push herself to do her makeup and hair, she had put on some new clothes out of her closet, just to look socially acceptable for the day. If she wouldn't go outside, then she didn't even bother to do anything than put on some clothes but she'd like to help her sister.

"Have you already thought of what furniture you'd like to look for?"

"No, I have no idea to be honest," Sandra chuckled, turning to the corner to see the big IKEA sign on a building. "I know it's better to look for a couch, a bed and maybe a closet. I can get tables and chairs second hand, because that's cheaper. You know I like it cheap."

"Obviously. I would've done the same," she nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Have you already checked the apartment if it needs painting?"

They got out of the car, Sandra grabbing her bag and then headed towards the entrance. Like expected, it wasn't too crowded and noisy around this time, so they could walk around and just look.

"What do you need first?"

"Let's check out the couches, which are on the second floor," taking Clara's wrist in her hand, Sandra pulled her towards the stairs. The sisters didn't like elevators, both suffering from claustrophobia, so when they could, they used the stairs.

"I like this one," the blonde sat down on a simple leather couch, but then saw a large black one a few meters away. "Oh no, that one!"

"I have a budget." She checked the price tag, sighing deeply and shaking her head. "Isn't there anything cheaper? I don't want to spend anything more than 200."

"I can't say it's impossible," Clara stood up, searching for a cheap looking couch. "But I don't think it'll be the most beautiful thing ever."

"I've got serious problems with spending money."

"Hey, it's alright," she watched her sister frown, shaking her head while lying an hand on Sandra's shoulder. "You don't need to spend any more money than you want. I'm here to help you, so don't be upset at yourself."

"Okay," she breathed, gesturing in the direction of the bed section. "Why don't we go find a bed? I think that's more important than a stupid couch."

"Because that's where the magic happens."

Sandra blushed, giggling as a typical teenager as she followed Clara to the beds. "I hope so. I still question myself why he likes me this much to buy an apartment with me. He's so hot and sexy, especially when he's shirtless."

"He probably works out a lot."

"He works out every 2 days," she lied down on the first bed she saw, putting her hands underneath her head for comfort. She turned to look at her sister, "I think this is a nice bed. What's the price?"

"300."                                     

"Oh my god," the girl groaned, pulling out her phone after standing up. She ran a hand through her brown her, "I'm going to call Chris. This is hopeless."

"But San..."

She put up her two of her fingers, telling her she had to wait a two minutes, then she walked away. Now that she was walking back to the couch department did it seem like the couches were still more important. And Clara agreed, because the first time she was at Chris apartment she saw the couch was full of scratches and dirt. It needed replacement.

She began to hum a song now that she didn't have anything else to do than wait for her sister to come back, and sat down on the bed.

"Ehm-..."

"Oh my gosh," her heart jumped by hearing an unknown voice behind her. It was unique and soft, it even sounded like the person had tried his best not to scare her but did anyway.

She turned around, seeing a tall guy standing a couple of meters away from her and the bed. He was absolutely gorgeous, brown eyes staring at her and his lips were turned up into a smile. What did he need from her?

"I'm sorry for scaring you," he mentioned, shrugging his shoulders awkwardly. "I, ehm-... All I wanted was to ask if it was alright if I tried this bed out-..."

She nodded quickly, standing up and taking steps back to give him space. "I was just waiting for my sister. She's calling her boyfriend at the moment. I guess I'm just here for nothing."

"I know that feeling," he told her, sitting down on the bed. He rubbed his hands together, looking down at them. "My best friend and his fiancé are moving in together and since the apartment is too big for me to live in, I'm looking for a new one. I don't think they really needed me for help."

His face looked familiar and it bothered her a lot she didn't know from where. His brown hair, brown eyes, his cute smile. She was too nervous to think about where she recognized him from and she also didn't want to ask. It'd be too weird.

She didn't dare to sit down on the bed, so she stood there trying to stop wiggling her legs and fidgeting with her hands.  It was every moment she had with Jesse all over again, but this was way worse. She didn't even know this guy and he was talking to her. God, she didn't even know his name. "Maybe I'm just there for moral support, but I wouldn't have gone alone either."

"Why not?"

"Ehm, well..." she mentally cursed, feeling her cheeks already burn in embarrassment. Maybe she had to stop talking so much around people she felt uncomfortable with. She'd blurt things out, they'd ask about it and she'd blush. She disliked blushing. "It's because of reasons."

He found her adorable, chuckling as he watched her. He wanted to help her by changing the subject, but, before he could think of something, a brunette had already interrupted. "Clara, I've talked to Chris and I think it's better to look for a couch. He wanted to try get a cheaper bed from someone else. A friend, maybe."

"We can do that," Clara nodded, turning to the guy who was still sitting on the bed. Unfortunately, she wouldn't see him ever again and that was why she didn't know how to say goodbye, but that was least thing she could do. "Bye."

"What?" her sister raised an eyebrow, pushing Clara into the guy's direction. "Shut up with your 'bye' and ask him for his number. You know you want to."

"Well-..."

"Yes, you want to."

"Okay."

All she could do was agree, because she wanted to see him again. But she didn't know if he wanted to give her his number. What if he'd say no? Then she wasn't going to ask somebody for their number ever again.

She turned back to the guy, tucking a strand of her behind ear. "I, ehm-..."

"You want my number?"

"Yes, if that's alright?"

"Of course," the guy replied, standing up and she handed him her phone. He looked at Clara. "My name is Dylan, by the way."

"Clara." After getting back her phone to put it back into her bag, Clara smiled at Dylan. He smiled back. "It was nice meeting you."

"Yeah, it was."