The Boy in the Woods (2014 Wattys Winner, Wattpad Version)

Chapter 37 - Somebody's Back in Town

When Friday came, Jess made sure to start home from the cabin well before dinner.  While she walked through the woods, she wondered what she and Doug might do when they went into town, and a nervous chill went through her.  As images from the last time she went out with him ran through her mind, she clutched her books tighter to her chest and let out a deep breath in an attempt to relax. 

Even though that night had been a disaster, the one positive thing it had done was prove that Doug wouldn't let anything happen to her.  She knew he'd never put her in harm's way again, and he had said they wouldn't be hanging out with his friends.

The kitchen was empty when she let herself in, and she headed up the stairs to her room.  After changing back into her school dress, she pulled on a sweater since the air had turned cooler over the afternoon, then went in the bathroom to redo her pony tail.  When she heard a knock on her bedroom door, she set down the brush and went to answer.  It was Doug, already wearing a jacket.  He lifted his head and after a pause, a smile spread across his face.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Almost.  I just need to fix my hair." 

"Oh, you –," he started just as she turned away, and then stopped.

"What?"

"Nothing.  Never mind," he said, shaking his head.  He shoved his hands in his pockets, and dropped his head. 

"You don't have to wait in the hall.  Do you want to come in?" she asked, opening the door wider.

"Uh, sure," he said with a shrug. 

Once he'd passed her, she closed the door behind him and headed towards the bathroom while he looked around.  At that moment, she realized this was only the second time Doug had been in her bedroom.  The first time, he'd been more intent on getting her to agree to not tell his dad what he was up to when he went out with his friends than to notice what it was like.

As soon as she had her hair up and secured with an elastic, she came out and Doug was standing between her twin beds with the framed wedding picture of her parents in his hand.

"Oh, sorry," he said when he saw her, setting it back on the nightstand. 

"It's okay.  I don't mind."   She went to the wardrobe to collect her loafers.  "Do you know where we're going?" she asked, sitting on one of her beds and pulling on her ankle socks. 

"I gotta couple ideas, but we'll see what looks good when we get downtown," he replied while he watched her.  Curious what he had in mind, she slipped on her last loafer and stood.

"I'm ready."

"Alright," he said, smiling again and holding his arm out for her to lead the way.

Jess expected Annie and Uncle Jonathon to be waiting at the bottom of the stairs to inspect them like they had when Doug had taken her out the first time, but neither were in sight and the house was quiet. 

Doug headed straight to the front door and opened it for her.  When she stepped out, James was standing in front of the open garage smoking, but flicked the cigarette butt away and turned towards the black car when he saw them. 

While they watched James unlock the padlock, Jess suddenly noticed how quiet it was in the car.  Doug must have noticed too, because he turned on the radio and the song 'All I Have to Do Is Dream' filled the silence.  With the gate finally opened, Doug pulled through onto the dirt road and Jess looked out the passenger side window at the iron fence and the deep forest beyond.