Under the Bridge

chapter thirty seven- "is there a sex scene?"

I LOVE SLEEPING ALMOST AS MUCH AS I LOVE HARRY POTTER. I don't like waking up before noon on school days, but on the weekends or on break, it's a travesty. My alarm went off at 7 a.m., and I probably looked like my hair was something my cats coughed up. 

I stretch my arms over my head and literally roll out of bed, falling to a dramatic thud on the ground. I feel like I just fell down 25 feet, not just two and a half. Soreness shoots through my body like a bullet, aching all over my back. 

That's going to bruise. 

At least I'm awake now. 

Grabbing the edge of my bed, I pull myself up, grounding myself on my feet and catching sight of myself in the mirror. My hair does indeed look like a tornado hit it, and my dark circles are like caverns on my face. 

Groaning, I go to the shower and pray that my Fresh Garden scented shower gel is enough to wake me up. 

* * *

"You look especially awake this morning." Liam comments as I hop into the car. 

"Merry Christmas to you, too." I grumble, trying not to rub my eyes since they were coated in mascara. 

Liam's wearing slacks and a white dress shirt with the top button undone. Sometimes, if he changes the angle he's sitting, you get a peak of his tattoo. He seems very out of place in this outfit, just like he did in the ugly sweater yesterday. 

He still looked hot, by the way. (I think Liam could be hot in a hamburger costume if there was ever an occasion where he had to wear one.) 

Before we go inside, he cups my face slightly in his hand and gives me a quick peck on the lips. "Did that wake you up, Sleeping Beauty?" He asks, grin on his lips. 

I shake my head. "No, I think you need to kiss me again." I mutter, feeling a wave of confidence burst through me. 

"Your wish is my command." He replies, leaning forward and parting his lips so he could give me a soft and slow kiss, hand snaking up my sweater as I run my fingers through his hair. 

It all ends when Liam's elbow hits the horn, and the car honks way too loudly. 

We whip apart, laughing, only to see the neighbor across the street glaring at us. Liam waves in apology while I turn a bright red color. 

At least I'm not sleepy anymore. 

We leave the car and hurry inside, seeing several people scattered all throughout the small house. The first one I recognize is Liam's mother, who looks down at Liam's arm around my waist and smiles. I feel relieved. 

"It's good to see you, Olivia." She says, kindly approaching. There's a woman beside her, with curly hair and a smile that was 60% gums. "Jenine, this is Liam's girlfriend. Isn't she lovely? This is Liam's Aunt Jenine." She says politely. 

Jenine looks me up and down and extends her hand to shake. I take it, meekly, trying my best to channel my inner Hope as I shake it. She seems impressed. 

"You look familiar, I think I've seen you before. What's your last name?"  

I answer shortly to avoid conversation. "Bear." I reply. 

"You're Monica Bear's daughter?" She asks, shocked. 

Liam's mother looks at her with a bit of confusion. "How do you know her mother?" 

"Her mom is the recently appointed CEO of the company I work for." Jenine says, voice hushed. 

Liam swoops in and saves the day. "We're going to go downstairs, tell me when there's food." He says, taking my hand and rushing towards the basement.