COMPLETED | Lexi Woodley doesn't want a relationship. After her last relationship left her emotionally scarred, she has decided to steer clear of all things 'love' for the time being... then comes Misha - quiet, secretive, and incredibly gorgeous.
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"Baby why can't you see-ee-ee, you belong with mee-ee-ee!" Cassidy and I crow out the Taylor Swift lyrics as loudly as possible. As Cass's Subaru Impreza flies down the highway, we try our best not to crack up at each other's obnoxious strained voices. Neither of us have ever been particularly gifted with vocal talent, but that's what makes mini-road trips all the more fun.
Since Cass has returned from her family vacation, we decided we needed to spend a weekend hanging out, girls only. We left Misha and Brogan on the couch with some sort of soccer X-Box game, and Cassidy and I headed out on a weekend trip to find every outlet mall within a 3-hour radius.
We're finally on our way back, her trunk packed with shopping bags and an oil painting I just couldn't live without. I'm sure I'll be eating ramen noodles for the next year, but Leonid Afremov is my favorite artist, and his Rainy Day oil painting will go well with the piece hanging over my couch.
It's nearly eleven at night by the time we pull back into Cassidy's driveway. I'm yawning as I pull out my phone, opening up my Uber app. Cass holds the front door open for me, and we make our way into the living room.
"Have a good trip?" Bro questions, as he dramatically leans Cass over and kisses her. I yawn again, as Cassidy excitedly tells him all about our shopping adventures.
"You look exhausted," comes a comment from the couch. I look up from Facebook, which I had mistakenly opened instead of Uber, and blink in surprise. Has Misha been sitting here this whole time? I must be more tired than I thought.
"Uh, yeah, just a little," I laugh. "I actually need to get an Uber before I fall asleep."
"Why don't I just drive you?"
"You don't have to do that. You live in the complete opposite direction."
Misha stands and offers me his hand, helping me up from the couch I had sprawled out on. "Come on, let's go. No need to waste money when somebody offers you a ride, right?"
I sleepily smile at him. He does make sense, and I'm afraid at this rate, I'd fall asleep in the cab if I have to wait any longer for a ride. We walk outside toward the charcoal-colored Corolla, and Misha opens the passenger door for me. I hug my coat tightly around myself and try not to shiver as Misha walks around to the driver's side. This December is one of the colder ones we've had in a while, and I'm already wishing I had invested in a thicker coat.
Misha notices and turns on the seat warmers, causing me to smile. He's very thoughtful. As he pulls away from the curb, I lean my head back and close my eyes. Surely it won't hurt to take a quick nap. The car is getting so warm, and it's so comfortable. Something melodic by the Civil Wars is playing through the speakers, and it lulls me to sleep. I dream of vibrant oil paintings, musical harmonies, and Misha's cypress and cigarette scent.
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When I wake up, sunlight is filtering through the window to my left. I rub at my eyes and stretch, my arms reaching into an empty space on my right. As my eyes adjust to the brightness of the room, I'm momentarily confused. I see light gray curtains instead of the turquoise ones that are supposed to be hanging from my windows. After a moment, I realize I'm in Misha's room.
