Things End, Deal With It

sixteen

Nash and I stayed up until seven, when my mom woke up. We were in the living watching movies when she walked in.

'What are y'all doin' in here? Get to bed," she had told us. We didn't argue. We went straight to my room and instantly fell asleep.

*

Both Nash and I slept until seven. Yes, seven. When we woke up, Mom ordered pizza(she called off work today), and we ate in the living room while watching Boy Meets World.

The pizza was gone before we knew it. Mom went to her room to talk on the phone, most likely to Kenny.

"Are you and Chloe dating?" I ask, playing with each of his fingers.

"Nah, she did kiss me though."

"She kissed you?" I look up at him, my head on his lap.

"Yeah, but I didn't kiss back. I'm over it." I sit up, but still lean into him. "What's up with you today? You're more cuddly than usual."

"I just need some physical contact with another human being." I pout.

"I don't mind it," he utters.

"Are you gonna stay another night?"

"If you want, but I gotta go back to the house and get some clothes. Plus, I need to shower."

"Yeah, I know. You smell terrible."

"So do you."

"Fine, while you're takin' a shower at your house, I'll take a shower here."

"Good." We laugh at each other. "Okay, I'm gonna go. Be back soon."

"Not soon, you take like twenty minute showers. Then take another thirty to get ready,"' I mock.

"Hey, you have no room to talk. You take like thirty minutes showers then take thirty more minutes to get ready," he retorts.

"I have a reason to take thirty minutes with both. I have the long, thick ass hair to wash, and I have to shave. After a shower, I have to deal with this mess." I point to my head.

"Whatever, booby. I'll be back later."

"Better. Now, goodbye, asswipe." I bid him fairwell as he chuckles and stands from the couch. He kisses my head before going out the front door, slamming it shut. I get up from the couch and jog upstairs. I get into the shower after taking my clothes off and getting two towels. The shower was about twenty minutes long, and I was pretty proud of myself for not taking longer. Mom stopped me in the hallway to ask where Nash had went. Once I told her, I continued my route to my bedroom.

I dress in a black cut off and white shorts. I stand in front of the mirror, brushing the rat's nest I call my hair. After five minutes, I give up. I put it in a bun, knowing I'm gonna regret not brushing it out later.

*

Nash and I do the same thing we did last night, with the exception of Mom checking on us every twenty minutes until she went to sleep. We ate ice cream and and watched a couple movies until the wee hours of the morning. We definitely didn't stay up until seven though.

"Cheyenne." Nash runs his fingetips up and down my right arm.

"Hmm," I hum.

"You know when I, uh.. when we were.." He chuckles. "You remember when we were like thirteen, and you wanted to have your first kiss because you just couldn't wait any longer?" I smile.

"Yeah, and you said you wanted to be my first kiss." I blush. "And you were."

"I really liked you back then. I had some strong feelings for you even for a thirteen year old."

"I don't remember every detail of my entire life, but I'm pretty sure I had feelings for you too. I mean I'm pretty sure I did because I mean look at you. Well, I uh, I mean ya know, who wouldn't like you? You're so likable. You're funny and cute, and sweet. You're my best friend. You're a package," I ramble.

"I need to tell you something," Nash murmurs.

"What?" He sits up, still behind me, and wraps his arms around me. His chin lightly rests on my shoulder, and I lean into him slightly. He folds his hands together over my stomach and sighs.

"I know this might seem weird, and I don't know if you'll agree with me, but I needed to tell you this. I don't care how cliche this sounds, but I hope you don't shut me out after this." I was kind of scared about this because I couldn't think of anything that would make me want to shut him out. "I like you, Cheyenne. Ever since you and Aaron broke up, we've been spending more time together, and I like it. I don't want it to end."

"Nash."

"No, I get it. You don't like me the same way, and that's fine. I just needed to tell you because I couldn't hold it back anymore."

"That's not what I was gonna say." I detatch his arms from around my waist and face him. "I just broke up with Aaron, and if we date, that makes me feel like such a bad person. I don't want to feel like that, and I don't want people to look at me wrongly." He nods and runs his hands over his face.

"So you mean, you have feelings for me too?" I smile.

"I like that we've been hanging out a lot lately, and it makes me happy that you can make me happy. I guess I've had some feelings deep down for you this whole time, and just never knew it," I explain.

"I'm glad you feel that way." A goofy smile makes it's way onto his face. "I'm willing to wait, ya know? However long you want to wait, I don't care, I'll be here." He chuckles.

"Aw, Nashy." I hug him around his waist and then we lay back down. "What time is it?" I ask, quietly.

"Almost five." I keep my arms around Nash and give him another squeeze. Then I let go.

"I'm going to sleep now. Don't stay up too late." He laughs at me, and I slide under the covers. I stay attached to Nash, liking the heat radiating from his body.

"Goodnight." He kisses my forehead then lays his head back on the pillow.

"Nighty night."