Sweet Caroline

Chapter 4: Two People, One Bed

"So, why exactly are you here?" I asked as I shut my bedroom door. Alexander took a seat on my bed next to Bella and the cats. "Honestly?" He asked confused. I sighed as I shook my head. " Yes, you have to be honest, " I said as I sat down next him. "I-I'm in love with you, Avery. I have been since the school year began," he said quickly before covering his face with his hands. I laughed softly at his embarrassment. "I know, Mr. Abate. We both are in love with each other. Are we dating?" I asked as I lied on his shoulder. "Do you want to? I want to," he said, amused by me lying on him. I nodded. " Yeah. I want to. So I guess this means we're dating, " I said smiling. I got up and opened my door to let the cats out. Bella just lied on the floor at the foot of my bed.

As I sat back down, I realized he was lying on my bed. He kicked off his shoes and was now facing the wall. Is he asleep? I thought to myself. "Mr. Abate?" I asked confused. " Alexander, not Mr. Abate! I told you this, Avery! " He said sounding upset. "Sorry. Can you please roll over?" I asked as I looked over at him. He sighed with aggravation and rolled over. I got up and turned off the light. When was the light turned on? I thought to myself.

"What do you wanna do now?" I asked. The rain was still going and Alexander and I were cuddling. " Let's just cuddle, " he said as I be tightened his grip on my waist. I was happy and tired at the same time. I shifted in his arms until I was facing him. I couldn't tell if he was asleep or awake but he was still the most handsome person I have ever seen. WHAT IF MY PARENTS WALK IN HERE IN THE MORNING? I thought to myself. I quickly got up and grabbed paper off my desk and wrote " Please Knock" on it. I grabbed the tape and tapped it to the outside of my bedroom door. I sighed with relief as I shut the door and locked it. Ain't no way they're getting in here! I thought. I tip toed to my bed-careful not to wake up Mr. Abate-and got under my blanket to cuddle with him again. "What were you doing, Avery?" He whispered. Crap! "I was taking a note to the door and locking it," I whispered back. "Do you not want your parents to know about us?" He asked. "It's not that I don't, I just don't want them to see you in my bed," I said. "Oh okay. When do you want to tell them then?" He asked as he opened his eyes. "Hmmm. Maybe tomorrow or after a week. I don't care when we tell them as long we get to stay together," I said with happiness . What am I doing? He could get arrested for this! I could get arrested! We would be in HUGE trouble. But he's so hot and nice. Plus he doesn't ask me for much. I thought.

The rain was getting even worse outside and lightning struck every few minutes with thunder following after. Bella every so often ran around my room and whimpered every time it happened. The cats kept scratching at the door, but I didn't let them in because I already knew if I did, they'd try to lie on mine or Alexander's face. I reached over to my phone to check my phone for the time. It read that it was 1:06 in the morning. "Are you awake?" I whispered in the darkness as the lightning lit up my mint green walls. "Yeah. I can't sleep with the rain pounding on your window and roof nor with the dog running laps around your room," he whispered. I bit my lip to hold back a laugh so I wouldn't wake anyone up. The walls are extremely thin. "What? Don't you like the the sound of long dog claws scratch across the floor?" I chuckled as the whispered words rolled off my tongue. "God no. I'd rather hear chalk screech across a chalk board or metal scrape across a desk. As odd as it sounds, it's true," he whispered. I covered my mouth as laughter fled out. " you are bizarre. And crazy, too! " I whispered. "Wow," he whispered in astonishment, " I love you, too, then. " I couldn't help but laugh. "You are so funny. And I do love you," I whispered. What did I do to deserve someone so amazing? Why did God send me this perfect angel from above? What will I have to do to repay God for the perf e y gift he sent me? I thought. As I lied there in my bed with Mr. Abate by my side, I just listened to the rain beat on the house.

Have you ever listened to the rain and pretended like you were in some dad but dramatic song and you were the most important person in it? Have you ever thought about playing in the rain and getting so sick, you got to stay in bed all day? Have you ever walked outside in the pouring rain and just felt it drop in you like boulders? Well, that's how I felt lying in my bed with Mr. Abate. So many emotions running throughout my body and it gave me a headache but I was fine with it as long as he was beside me.

I guess we eventually fell asleep because when we woke up, my phone was buzzing with a weather alert. I picked up my phone and read that the alert was just saying that all schools in my county would be canceled due to a hurricane forming. I put my phone down and turned over towards Mr. Abate, who still had his arms wrapped around me. I turned over to see him still asleep. I kissed the tip of his nose until he awoke. We exchanged smiles and just lied there in the bed.