I Hardly Needed Saving

Dinner, Sharpies, and Almost Kisses

My parents insist that Seth joins us for dinner.

I feel weird about it... but also comfortable. I just hope my mom or dad doesn't embarrass me in front of him.

They decide to cook at home.

Oh god—he's going to be in my house. Thank God we have a nice place.

"Lyla, why don't you show Seth around the house while your dad and I cook dinner?" my mom says sweetly.

Then she winks—while Seth's back is turned.

Can she be any more embarrassing?!

I grab Seth's hand and drag him upstairs to my room, because I know what's coming next. Sure enough, my phone buzzes.

A text from Mom: "Take him to your room and talk."

Of course. I shake my head.

My room is yellow and black, with pink splatter across the walls. My bed's the same color, with a black bedpost. I turn on my flatscreen, plug in my phone, and play some music.

"The Naked and Famous?" Seth asks.

"Yeah, you know them?"

"Hell yeah."

We both smile.

I lie back on my bed as Seth walks over and grabs my Sharpie collection—literally every color. "Let's add some color to your cast, shall we?"

I stay lying down as he sits in front of me, coloring and drawing something.

"So, how old are you, Lyla?"

"Seventeen. You?"

"Eighteen. Favorite color?"

"Black and yellow. You?"

"Black and blue. Food?"

"Chicken and Italian. You?"

"Same."

"I hate Mexican food."

"Me too. And Chinese."

"Same!!"

We both look at each other and burst out laughing.

"That's crazy," I say, still smiling.

The next song comes on. Seth pauses, trying to place it. I give him a moment.

"Sad Sad City by Ghostland Observatory?"

"Correct!" he grins. "Wow—I've never known anyone who knows these bands."

"Me either... but I like it."

We sit and talk for over an hour—things we like, things we hate, random stuff. We have so much in common. I could stay here all day, just watching him, talking to him.

His beautiful green eyes, those lips, his fair skin—so different from Eddie's dark caramel tone.

Seth's like... a beautiful vampire.

"Are you a vampire?" I blurt out.

"What?!"

"I mean—you're flawless. Sorry, weird question."

"Flawless, huh?"

He lifts his shirt—sexy abs, toned muscle—but I freeze when I see it.

Scars. All over his body.

"My mom used to beat me," he says quietly. "Never my face, arms, or legs—she didn't want to get caught. When my dad found out, he called the cops. I was sent to live with him."

My heart sinks.

"I'm so sorry, Seth. I didn't know..." I sit up, on my knees in front of him, his shirt still off. I gently grab his face.

"You're still flawless to me."

He smiles softly, leaning in to kiss me—and God, I want him to. I close my eyes, his breath inches from mine...

Knock knock.

We freeze.

My dad opens the door. "Dinner's ready."

I smirk, pulling away from Seth. Damn. So close.

⸻

We walk downstairs. My mom made chicken alfredo—my favorite.

We all sit down, start eating. Seth slurps noodles, sauce everywhere.

We burst out laughing.

"Sorry," Seth mumbles, mouth full.

I start scarfing down food like him. He stares at me, wide-eyed.

"That's why we were laughing," Mom says. "She eats just like you."

We smile at each other and keep eating.

After dinner, we watch The Devil's Rejects—Seth's never seen it. It's gory and intense, and I can tell he's squeamish.

I start giggling. "Why are you laughing?" he asks.

"You're squeamish! Haha, it's just a movie!"

"I am NOT! You think that's funny?"

I nod. He leans closer, eyes locked on mine, then glances at my lips.

Just kiss me already!!!

The front door opens. He pulls away.

Damn. So close. Again.

"Seth, it's 10," my mom calls. "Time to go, sweetie."

I walk him out and close the door behind me.

"Thanks for everything, Seth. It means a lot."

"No problem, Lyla. Anything for you—I mean that."

We smile. He hugs me gently, arms around my waist—not too tight, since I'm still hurting. He rubs my back, then kisses my cheek.

I watch him walk to his Viper, get in, and drive off.

I glance at my cast and freeze.

A huge smile spreads across my face.

It's a drawing—a guy holding a girl from behind, kissing her cheek. Behind them? His Viper. And above them? Stars everywhere.

It's perfect. Realistic. Romantic. Beautiful.

I go inside, take a hot shower, and crawl into bed.

I sleep like a baby.

⸻

COMMENT • VOTE • FAN ME! 💋 Who's ready for Seth and Lyla to FINALLY kiss?!
—Heather 💜