Luna

|| Chapter 8 ||

* look outside your door -K *

        My phone vibrates underneath my pillow, pulling me out of sleep. I slowly drag my iPhone out and squint through the brightness of the screen. Look outside? What? My first thought was that he was outside my bedroom door, which kind of freaked me out. Nonetheless, I hoisted myself from my sea of blankets and tip-toed silently out my door, not wanting to wake my parents. I silently opened the front door of my house and looked around. I frowned when I didn't see anyone there. I about shut the door and crawled back into bed before I notice a shiny black bag sitting up next to the door. Um. I pick up the bag and head back inside my room, sitting down on the queen sized bed and opening it up.

        Inside was a white sundress with a thick brown belt, little magenta flowers covering it as a pattern. The straps are beaded and it looks as if it would fall mid-thigh. A curious smile spreads across my face as a note falls down from the dress's skirt. I lay the dress on my bed and bend down to retrieve it.

'I'll pick you up at 7 pm. Happy birthday, baby. '

--

        "Mom, I told you that I'm not staying tonight. I'm going out with a friend, it's no big deal." I groan and slide my flats over my feet, wanting nothing but to walk out of the door.

        "Camryn, you've never missed a birthday dinner and just because you're 18 now, does not mean you can skip it." My father says sternly, eyeing me as my mother moves around him to set the salad bowl on the table. I roll my eyes and look around for my jacket as the doorbell rings. Kai.

        "Look, I'm sorry but I'm going out tonight." I open the door and give Kai an apologetic smile. Gosh, he looks handsome. I've never seen him in a suit but I'm definitely not complaining. My mother starts to raise her voice at me but I don't hear as I close the door behind me.

        "What's that about?" He asks, finding my hand and giving it a squeeze. I shake my head, waving him off.

        "It's nothing really. Where are we going?" I ask, reaching up to peck his cheek. Kai smiles and leads me to his car, opening the door for me.

        "It's a surprise. Oh and by the way, you look beautiful in that dress." He winks as I blush, closing the door after I slide in.

--

        I dab my napkin across my mouth, blushing as Kai watches me with a mischievous smirk.

        "What are you staring at?"

        "How was dinner?" He asks, bringing his fork to his mouth as he finishes off his plate, ignoring my question. He had taken us to a quaint little restaurant near the edge of the town for dinner, insisting on the best place in Rhode Island.

        "It was nice, thank you." I sip my water with a smile, averting my eyes away from my unfinished meal. I haven't been eating much lately, probably caught a bug or something. But hey, my mother always told me that a lady never finished her plate. He nods, satisfied with my answer and stands, leaving the check on the table and reaching for my hand. I thank the waiter as he sees us out, feeling Kai's hand tighten in mine. I pull away quickly with a frown.

        "Ow, what's the matter?" I look at him curiously, searching his face as he glares back at the restaurant doors.

        "He was looking at you." I swear I hear a low growl in the back of his throat as he explains why he's so worked up.

       "Really? Don't worry, I didn't notice." I giggle at his jealously and take his hand again, tilting my head to give him a light kiss across his knuckles. His body loosens slightly and my subconscious smirks in victory. Suddenly his arms wrap around my thighs and lower back, scooping me up into his arms.

        "What are you doing?" I shriek, intertwining my hands around his neck.

        "You'll see." He laughs and walks around the back of the restaurant, heading alongside the forest. I remember back a few months ago when I thought he was taking me to murder me. I wonder what his fascination with forests is... His arm drops from under my knees and lowers me gently to the ground, thank god I decided to wear flats. I look around us and realize that we are next to the pier, strings of lights hanging from wooden beams, lighting up the atmosphere around us.

        He leaves my side for a moment to jog behind one of the beams and hits a switch. Soft music begins to play as I come around to see a small radio. A childish smile crosses his face and he runs his hand through his hair almost nervously, his dimples prominent on his cheeks.

I'll never settle down

That's what I've always thought

Yeah, I was that kind of man

Just ask anyone

        I wrinkle my nose at the sound of country music. Dang it and I really liked this guy. He laughs at my reaction and holding out his hand, wiggling his fingers at me.

        "Camryn, will you do me the great honor of giving me this dance?"

        I roll my eyes and walk towards him, taking his hand. He smiles and snakes an arm around my waist, bringing us closer.

Love's never come my way,

I've never been this far

Cause you took this two left feet

And waltzed away with my heart

        I laugh as he mouths the words to the song, pressing his forehead to mine as we sway. As the beat alternates into the chorus, he spins me away from him and pulls me back, smiling now as he sings out loud, twirling us around the platform. I take my dislike of country music back, this boy has the voice of an angel. His eyes seem to sparkle as shivers run my spine and through our joined fingers. I've never danced with anyone before but my feet move on their own, coaxing me along with Kai as we draw a small crowd.

I don't dance, but here I am

Spinning you round and around in circles

It ain't my style, but I don't care

I'd do anything with you anywhere

Yes, you've got me in the palm of your hand

Cause I don't dance

        He dips me deeply as the music slows and I hear a soft chorus of clapping around us. My arms rest lightly on his shoulders as he sings the last part of the chorus softly, humming the background. The voices behind us fade out as he meets my eyes with a goofy smile and we catch our breath. He brings me upright and I swear the Earth has melted. There's just us two. There's no one else in this moment but me and him.

        "Happy birthday, Princess."