The Bookstore Boy

Chapter 4: A Long Night

“Why in the hell did you not call me?!” an exasperated Koltyn asked, throwing his hands in the air. It was Thursday night and Koltyn and I were playing Call of Duty, at his request. We both had classes earlier today and decided that we needed some Cassie and Koltyn time, since Lily was on a date with Erin.

“I didn’t want to wake you up. I know you have early classes on Thursdays,” I replied with a shrug of my shoulders. Koltyn paused the game and turned to me.

“Cassie I’m your best friend. I don’t care if I’m an hour away, in the hospital or even in a different country, if you have those nightmares again I will come over no matter what time or where I am,” he stated, “I thought I told you that.”

“You did, I just feel ridiculous, is all.”

“Why?” Koltyn asked, clearly confused.

“Because!” I shouted throwing my hands in the air and standing up, “I’m nineteen and I have nightmares that keep me awake all night! I feel like a helpless child!”

Koltyn stood too coming over to where I was standing and pulled me into a tight hug.

“Cassie, there's nothing wrong with needing help, I’ve told you this. Lily and I are always here for you and I don’t care if you think its pathetic that you can’t sleep at night, because what you went through is terrible and you shouldn’t have to go through it alone.” he said rubbing my back as I nuzzled my head in his chest. I really did have great friends.

After standing like that for a couple more minutes Koltyn decided that it was time to play again. Without warning he threw me over his shoulder and walked back to my couch and threw me on it, while plopping down next to me.

“Now, watch as I destroy some houses.” I just laughed and snuggled into his side, slowly dozing off.

~~~~

I jolted awake, gasping for air.

“Cassie!” Koltyn exclaimed, running over to me. He had been in the kitchen, probably raiding my fridge, and I had been laying on the couch, as you can tell, fast asleep. And of course, the nightmares had struck again.

Koltyn pulled me back into his side and ran a hand through my hair murmuring “I’m right here's” and “It’s okay's”, in my ear. I struggled to relax, slowing my rapid breathing and racing heart.

Pulling back I ran a hand through my disheveled hair, “I’m fine.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Koltyn asked sinking into the couch.

“Nope,” I muttered, standing and making my way into the kitchen. I pulled out a mug and made some tea.

“You know, it might help,” Koltyn said still sitting on the couch.

“I said no so just drop it,” I snapped, getting a little irritated.

“Okay, well if you’re sure you’re okay, I’m going to head out. I have a date,” he said getting up and fetching his jacket.

“I’m fine, have fun on your date. Don’t worry about me. I’m just going to read for a little bit and then probably head to bed. Early classes tomorrow,” I said walking with him to the door.

“If anything happens, call me okay? I’ll come over.”

“Okay. Now go! otherwise you’re going to be late.”

“Right. See ya Cass,” Koltyn said giving me a quick hug before leaving. I shut the door behind him and walked to the couch. Sighing, I picked up my new book, The Promise of Amazing, and read.

Some two hours later it was half past eleven o’clock and just as I was going to head to bed my phone went off.

“Meet me on your stoop in 10. - THE Best Friend”

I smiled knowing it was Ryan, using the name I had put myself under in his phone. I went to my closet, in my room, and grabbed an old high school football hoody (that was actually Koltyn’s, I just stole it cause its soft) and pulled a beanie on my head.

I quickly slipped on my toms that were next to the door and then locked up my apartment. Since I still had five minutes till I was supposed to meet Ryan, I walked slowly down the stairs pulling out my phone and checking my other messages. Two were from Lily and one from Koltyn. Lily’s first was a picture of her and Erin having a picnic in Central Park and the second was wishing me a goodnight. Koltyn’s was him reminding me, yet again, that if the nightmares come back tonight or any night for that matter I was to call him.

I replied to them quickly and stepped outside of the apartment building. It was chillier than I thought. Even though it was September. I shivered a little as I waited for Ryan. I saw his figure round the corner. By then it was 11:40. What did he want at this time of night?

“What’s so important that I had to come out in the cold at 11:40 in the middle of the night?” I asked as he stopped at the bottom of the stoop.

“I want you to take me to the best all night pancake house in New York City.”

This is going to be a long night.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Hey guys! So I updated the cover to look more pleasing to the eye :) I won’t be able to post another chapter till Sunday/ Early Monday morning as I will be on vacation. Yayyy vacation! Sorry this chapters kinda short :/ I didn’t really know how to end it. Anyways, thank you sooooo much to my readers!!! Don’t forget to vote :) -Willow