Elevate (Dylan O'brien)

fireworks

Emma's POV

*beep* *beep* *beep*

My alarm wakes me at 5:30 for my run. Still a bit groggy, I hop in the shower for 15 minutes, wash my hair, shave, & wash my body with my new lavender soap.

I get dressed in light blue running shorts, a long sleeved athletic shirt, an put my still damp hair in a pony tail.

I leave Megan a note saying where I'm going, plug in my headphones, and head out.

On my way down the elevator, I start thinking about Dylan. I don't think I really like him. I mean as a friend I do, definitely, I'm just not sure I'm really ready for that yet.

Since I've never been to Boston before, I take a little longer than I expected. It's so beautiful. The air is so fresh, and it's not nearly as hot as Miami. I walk through the Boston Common, look at some statues, and watch some ducks swim in the dark blue pond.

By 6:55am I was still 20 minutes from our hotel.

I walk a little longer when a black car pulls up next to me and rolls down the window. It's Dylan.

"I thought I might find you here!" he exclaims. On a random street? I thought.

"Nice ride," I tell him. He explains how it's a rental, and tells me to get in. Well, more like invites me in. I text Megan that I might be a little while longer and buckle up.

"So, um, how'd you find me?" I ask him, my palms getting sweaty.

He chuckles. "Don't worry babe, I wasn't stalking you or anything. I was just on my way to Starbucks, saw you, and thought you might wanna join."

He called me babe. Here come the butterflies. But why? I don't like him. It was just probably a friendly thing.

"Oh, yeah, sure. I- I love Starbucks," I sound like an idiot. My mouth generally moves faster than my brain.

"Alright, good." He smiles. God, he looks so hot driving. That sounds weird, but it's so true. You can think someone's hot without liking them, right?

"So, when do you leave here again?" he asks, combing his hand through his dark brown hair.

"Um, well, today's the fourth, so we're leaving the morning of the sixth. So like two days." I say while picking a nail polish, a nervous habit of mine.

"Cool. I leave on the seventh, then it's back to Cali." he tells me. "We're here."

"Lucky. I've always wanted to live in California," I say, getting out of the car.

We walk into Starbucks and since its 7:15 in the morning on a Holiday, it's not too crowded.

"Thank god it's not busy. It's nice to be able to sit down and have some coffee without people coming up to you." Dylan says, as we get in line.

When we get to the front, the cashier has Dylan sign a napkin, then takes our order.

"Um, Dylan, I know I owe you a coffee, but I don't have any money with me..." I tell him.

"Gosh, Emma. So needy," he jokes. "I guess now you owe me two coffees."

We sit down and I take a sip of my drink. The cool beverage wakes me instantly.

"What is that again?" he asks, referring to my drink.

"An iced caramel macchiato," I tell him, taking another sip, then stirring it a bit.

When I look up from my drink, Dylan is staring at me. Not a creepy stare though. We make eye contact, and although it's silent, its not an awkward silence. I'm the first to crack a smile, then he does the same.

"So, Em. Thats what I'm calling you now; Em." He says, and I can't help but giggle. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Uhm, I don't know, Dyl, whatever my parents decide." I say, and he laughs and nods approvingly.

After we finish our drinks and we go back to the hotel, Dylan comes upstairs to meet Megan.

"Okay, I need to warn you. She's a big fan of your show and is kind of obsessed with Tyler Posey, so she may freak." I tell him.

"Alright." he says, rubbing his hands together. "Lets do this."

When we walk in, Megan is texting and listening to music, like always, so Dylan and I sit next to each other on the bed without her noticing. A second passes by, and then I feel Dylans cool hands slowly wrap around my waist, causing goose bumps. He pulls me onto his lap and fits my head into the crook of his neck, so our heads are stacked. Why is he doing this? Does he like me? I feel myself blush and then I laugh a bit, which catches Megan's attention.

She stares wide eyed.

"Oh. my. god." is all she says.

"Hey," Dylan says and I get off his lap.

"Um. Hi." she smiles.

"So, you two get to know each other, while I go ask mom and dad what our plans are tonight," I say, walking out the door.

I've also gotta figure out a way to tell Dylan that I want to be just friends.. for now at least. Like sure, I'd date him in the future, but I've only had one real boyfriend when I was 15, and that was for almost a year. I've kissed three boys, dated one. One of the other kisses was a dare and the other is a very long story.

I knock on my parents door and when they answer, I tell them that I made a friend, and ask them what we're doing tonight.

Once back in my room, I tell Megan and Dylan what my parents said.

"Okay, so my parents have only been to Boston once before for the Fourth of July, and last time they just went to this park and watched the fireworks so that's what we're doing." I shrug.

"Sounds good. Could Elliot and I tag along?" Dylan asked.

"Well, I asked if you could and they didn't mind so I'm sure Elliot would be fine." I say, picking at my white nail polish once again.

"Cool. I'll go tell him." Dylan says heading to the door.

Dylan's POV

"Elliot! Tonight. Fireworks with Emma and her family. You in?" I ask, kind of hoping he'll say no so he doesn't embarrass me again.

"Yeah. But what's up with you guys anyway? Like, do you like her orrr?"

"Well, she's hot. She's nice. She's funny. So I guess I like her." I finally admit it- to Elliot and myself. "Yeah. I like her. And you know what? I'm going to kiss her tonight." Did I really just say that?

"Yeah! That's my boy!" Elliot says patting me on the back.

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