never be » lrh book one

Chapter 8

D O N ' T    L E T    M E    D R O W N

Sam's POV

On the eve of my date with Ashton, I am sure to do everything I can to prepare myself for the date tomorrow. He told me he was picking me up at noon to go to the beach. If I'm going to make a confession here, it's that the beach is not the most ideal first date for me. Then again, he might just mean a 'date.' The kind that teenage girls take their best friends on. Not romantic.

Currently it is 9pm and I'm in the bathroom, pore strips covering my face and all kinds of face treatments/lotions spread across the counter. Sunlight makes my skin look awful so I'm trying my best to make it look really good. Especially since I won't be able to put any makeup on.

After I finish my process and take a shower, I go to sleep. My mind won't turn off, so I force it. I need to look refreshed for the date. Even if we're just going as friends, I want to look nice in case Ashton runs in to anyone he knows.

That night, I sleep on and off. It not very fun. Every time I wake up, all I can think about is how I'm going to fuck up tomorrow. At one point I get so upset I start hyperventilating. Eventually I just get up and start getting ready. It's 9:46am anyway.

I walk to my closet first and pick out a bikini. One good for swimming but also one that makes my body look better than it actually is. I put it on, then put a coverup on top. I decide to apply subtle makeup, like lip gloss and concealer.

By the time I'm done fixing myself up, and genuinely perfecting how I look, straightening my hair, making sure my makeup isn't too much, and packing a bag, I go downstairs to eat breakfast. Since it's a date, I assume we'll get food, so I don't have a huge breakfast. An apple will be suitable enough.

Time rolls on and my nerves begin to build. For some reason, Ashton makes me so nervous. Maybe it's his smile and how he composes himself so well, maybe it's because I have an ever-growing crush on him. Whatever it is, it's killing me.

Eventually, there's a knock at my front door and I gather my things, slip my shoes on, and greet Ash. When I see him, I struggle not to giggle. He's dressed in a navy blue tank-top along with mint green swim trunks with dolphins on it. He looks so cute.

"Hello. Are you ready?" He asks, raising an eyebrow at me and holding the door open for me to walk outside. I hop outside and nod.

"Ready if you are." I lead the way back to his car in my driveway. He insists I call it Jet Black but I refuse. Naming cars is so weird to me. I'm the first to get into the car, then Ash gets in.

"It's not a far drive at all," He says, pulling out of my driveway. "You can put your bag in the back if you'd like."

"Okay, thanks." I lift my bag up from my lap and set it in the back seat. "So, how are things?"

"Pretty good. I am on a date with a pretty girl, so that's always great." The second he says it, my cheeks heat up and my heart flutters in my chest. How is this happening?

"Aw, Ash." My voice is soft and quiet.

"It's true!" He cheers, smiling over at me when we reach a stoplight. He's so sweet it actually kills me. What he does next leaves me fucked up for the rest of the car ride. He slips his hand into mine. I genuinely can't believe his confidence right now.