Blinded by the Light

ten

My eyes fluttered open and I found myself on the couch in Reed's arms. The lamp on the table beside me was still on and Wild Horses by The Sundays was still playing on repeat through the stereo. I wiggled out of Reed's grip and tried not to wake him. He looked so cute. His lips were pink and plump and his eyes fluttered as he moved a little.

I smiled and got up off the couch to turn off the music, but was startled as Reed grabbed my wrist and pulled me back down. "Where the hell do you think you're going?" he whispered in my ear as he started to tickle me. I squealed and tried to stop him, but it was no use. He climbed on top of me and continued to tickle me until we were both out of breath.

He pinned my shoulders down on the couch as he sat on my legs so I couldn't move. "You have the cutest laugh." he smiled. I felt my cheeks heat up as he leaned down and planted his lips on mine. It was only the second time we've kissed and I'd only known him for 2 weeks but it felt like I'd known him my whole life.

He suddenly pulled away and snapped his head in the direction of the door. "What's wro-" I started but he placed his finger over my lips as he shushed me. He stood up and watched the door as the handle wriggled. It opened to reveal a tall man. He had long, dark brown hair and light, almost ice-looking blue eyes. He was wearing a jean jacket with a red flannel and a white t-shirt, and dark blue jeans that were rolled up to reveal his leather boots.

I stood up quickly and looked to Reed next to me who had a huge grin plastered on his face. "Hey!" he exclaimed as he ran over to the man and hugged him. "What's good, dude?" the man, who I figured was Reed's uncle, chuckled as they pulled away. He looked over at me and smiled.

"I'm gone for a week and a half and you already have a girlfriend? That-a boy, Reed!" he patted his back. I felt my cheeks flush and I let out a small laugh. "Oh, umm, this is Ali. She's not my girlfriend." he smirked at me. "Not yet at least, right?" his uncle laughed as he walked over to me. "I'm Reed's uncle, but you can call me Sam."

I smiled as I shook his hand. "So what brings you here, Ali?" he asked as he walked into the kitchen. He set his bag down on a stool and opened a can of soda that he grabbed from the fridge. "Well it's a long story, but Ali is gonna be staying with us for a while. I set up her bedroom in the guest room." Reed explained as he walked over to me.

"Awesome! Make yourself at home. If you don't mind me asking, what's the story?" he asked, taking a sip from his soda. "Well, umm, my mom died last week and my stepdad started coming home drunk and beating me every night. He got arrested." I stated bluntly.

Sam looked up at me with wide eyes and set down his soda. He glanced at Reed and then back at me. He licked his lips and tightened his jaw. "I'm so sorry sweetie. If you ever need anything just tell me or Reed. Are you okay?" he softened his voice and hugged me. "Yeah. I am, actually." I sighed and smiled at Reed.

* * * * * *

The next morning Sam made pancakes, and they were the best damn things I've ever had. He told me he always loved cooking and that he would've been a cook if he hadn't been a record producer. "My two favorite things in the world are music and food!" he laughed.

When we were done eating, I took a shower and sat in my room on my phone listening to the Kooks. "Are y'all ready to go?" I heard Sam yell through the house. "Go where?" I laughed as I walked into the living room. "I don't care, just anywhere! It's a gorgeous day and we're not gonna spend it inside like a couple of anti-social little shits." he stated as he ruffled my hair. I laughed at him and walked back into the bathroom to do my hair and makeup.

I wore some high waisted shorts with a crop top and a large cardigan over that. I wore my hair in a messy side braid and pulled on some aviators. "Ready!" I said as I stuffed my phone in my pocket. We walked out the door and got into the car. It was a beautiful grey convertible Porsche. We drove along the beach and the wind felt amazing blowing through my hair.

"Where are we going?" I yelled over the loud music and the wind. "You ever been to Hollywood Boulevard?" he asked. I screamed in excitement and threw my arms up as if I were in a roller coaster. I could already tell this day was going to be perfect.

When we got there, we parked in the garage and walked out into the busy street. It was a Saturday so it was a little busier than it normally was I was guessing. Reed draped his arm around my shoulders and held me close to him as we walked through the crowds of people.

There were a few people in costumes of cartoon characters. I squealed as I saw Minnie and Mickey Mouse. They were my favorite cartoon characters ever and I just really wanted to get a picture. "Can you take a picture of me with Minnie and Mickey please?" I grinned as I took my phone out and handed it to Reed. He laughed and nodded.

I stood in between them and Reed snapped the picture. I tipped them a dollar each and walked back to Reed. "Aww, how adorable," he smirked as he showed me the picture. "Thanks. I try." I gave him a playful smile and grabbed my phone.

Sam led us into the Chinese Theater where it was very quiet. "Okay so the real reason I brought you guys here is because I have to meet up with someone for work and I didn't wanna leave you two alone. Just stay together and call me if you need anything, got it?" he explained. We both nodded.

"I'll be sure to call you if Tony Stark's assistant starts to fuck shit up with the Mandarine." Reed smirks. I laughed at his dorky Ironman reference.

We started walking around. His hand slipped into mine and I smiled at him. "I played a gig there one time." he told me as he pointed to a place that was called 'Level 3.' "Really? I didn't know you sing." I giggled. "Yeah. I don't really do gigs around the country anymore. Kinda just local ones. I have a fandom and everything." he stated. "You have a fandom?" I raised my eyebrows. "Yeah. It's not that big but I know a lot of nice people from it." he smiled as he looked at his feet.

"I used to do gigs in New York and Texas all the time. It was really fun. That was when I was 15." he laughed. "Wow. Sounds like you're pretty popular." I said. "Yep. It's nice having people you could talk to and meet that like me for me." he stated, holding up our hands and kissing my knuckles. "You're adorable." I giggled. "But you're even more adorable." He said before he pecked the tip of my nose.