First Punch ➟ Kellic

S E V E N T E E N

I come to my senses slowly, still feeling exhausted. I don't know how long I was asleep for but it felt like two minutes. I'm sprawled out, half laying on a firm, warm, rising and falling form. Oh my God, I think as I realize I slept over at Jake's. And not just slept over, but am sleeping on. This is so weird. I've never slept in a bed with someone before, not even when I was little. I move my hand slightly, needing to itch my nose, but I give up since I just don't have the energy yet. I still have my eyes closed, but I can feel his breath on my hand. I can't stop myself from smiling at the idea of us cuddling.

His breathing goes quiet and he groans a little as he rolls toward me. I hold my breath and don't dare move a muscle, I want to enjoy this while it lasts. His arm falls over me again, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. Is he awake? His breathing evens out though and I relax a little, realizing he's not. My face and hand are still pressed into his bare chest and it's so warm. I don't think I've ever been more comfortable in my life. It's starting to get hot though.

I stay in my little bubble of happiness for a few more minutes as the heat gradually builds. His breath, our combined body heat and the fact that I'm wearing a shirt, flannel, and sweater all add up to one warm Cooper. I even start to feel sweat prickling on my forehead. Fuck, I need to move. But I don't want to be the thing that wakes him up. Luckily I don't have to internally debate it for much longer.

Jake yawns loudly, rolling back into his earlier position, me falling half purposefully with him. His arm retreats as he stretches, but not completely as his hand lands on my hip. He chuckles a little and his hand leaves. I'm still crazy overheating, so I take the opportunity to fake waking up. I force a sharp intake of breath, rubbing my eyes as I roll off of him.

"Nice," he says sarcastically, his voice all raspy. I look over to see him scooping a clear, thick liquid from his chest. Oh no. I drooled on him. That's the most mortifying thing ever.

"Oh my God, sorry," I tell him, pushing myself up on my elbows and covering my mouth in embarrassment. He just laughs though, and it makes me laugh too. Only I could finally fall asleep next to this cute guy only to slobber all over him and ruin everything.

I glance around the room, trying to get a grasp on reality. It's pretty bright outside and I start to feel anxious. Carter's gonna have a million questions if he knows that I didn't come home. I have no idea how to try and answer any of them.

"I should go," I say, scooting to the base of the bed. "Sorry for staying over, I don't even remember falling asleep."

"Don't worry about it," he says, smiling a little. "You're cute when you sleep, even with the drool."

I freeze for a second, not prepared for such a statement. There he is being all flirty but not making a move. I push myself over his body, trying to come up with a witty response.

"At least I don't-" I stop myself, realizing that what happened last night was out of his control and probably embarrassing for him. "Sorry, nevermind," I finish, grabbing my shoes from the foot of his bed.

"Right...I know last night was probably-"

"We don't have to talk about it," I tell him, pretty curious honestly but more-so I don't want to put him in an awkward position. If it had been me, I'd just want to forget it ever happened.

"Well I don't want you to run away," he says, pushing the covers off of himself and turning so his feet hit the ground. I chuckle a little at his messy bedhead, but I know mine's probably worse.

"I'm not running away," I argue, deciding to explain myself. "It's just I know Carter will be suspicious that I didn't come home, and I don't know when your friends will be back. I don't want to hang around here and risk getting my throat cut."