Only You

Chapter 13

"TOUCHDOWN!"
I cringe into the couch as a very excited Landon starts to jump up and down, engrossed in the Thursday night football game. Meanwhile Johnny only scowls and looks at his hands. I smirk slightly and nudge his side

"oh come on Johnny, it's only halftime i'm sure they will bounce back" this only prompted him to grunt towards me and Landon to throw me a scowl.

It's thanksgiving at the Belle household, and the first day of our break. Declan's in the kitchen with Mrs. Belle preparing our dinner. I tried to help earlier but was later kicked out when my overwhelming lack of skill prompted the rath of Mrs. Belle. Lily is spending today with her family, traveling to Massachusetts to visit her grandparents and Sam and Sophie were spending Thanksgiving with Sams family. So it was just me, Johnny, Landon, and Declan, and I don't think it will be a very boring night.

Declan enters the room and shoots me a smile, then shakes his head at the two boys who are too focused on the television to notice anything else. He walks over and sits next to me on the couch and looks toward the tv.

"I rented a suit yesterday afternoon, is there anything else I need?" he says looking at me from the corner of his eye. I shake my head and shrug,

"nope, just yourself, and be prepared for a lot, and I mean a lot of stuck up snobs. I've never really liked these events" I say smiling in apology at him. he just shrugs and focuses back on the tv, smiling when Landon's team throws a interception and Landon runs from the room screaming in frustration.
__________________________
We had just finished dinner, an extravagant meal that could have only been made by the one and only Ms. Belle. The night was amazing, filled with stupid jokes and smiles. The warmth was what I had only imagined a family should be like. Now we were watching the remainder of the game and as the final seconds ticked by Landon finally gave up and lay face down into the carpet. Ms. Belle could only shake her head solemnly and bid us goodnight, telling us we could stay as long as we like.

"I can drive you home" Declan says from his seat next to me on the couch. I nod my head and we collect our belongings before hugging the other two goodbye. We walk down the driveway and Declan moves to the passenger seat of his truck opening the door for me. I smirk and lay my hand over my chest,

"what a gentlemen you are tonight" I say in mock surprise before jumping into my seat. He just shakes his head chuckling slightly and rounds to the other side of the car. We sat in silence for the majority of the trip, listening to a soft melody that was on the radio.

"I guess I get to meet your dad tomorrow huh?" he says glancing at me briefly. I shrug my shoulders and respond,

"lucky you" with sarcasm in my tone, rolling my eyes.

"that bad?" he pushes further analyzing me as we turn into my street.

"no, not really, he's just a lot more distant since my mother died. Our relationship was never very good and the only thing we had in common was my mom, so not surprising really" I lie through my teeth, giving a believable explanation for my utter hatred of the man.

Declan nods his head in understanding, pulling into my driveway.

"well, I'll see you tomorrow?" he questions.

"yup, 8:00 sharp." I say, giving him a grateful smile. "thank you by the way, for coming. These types of dinners always suck."

He shrugs his shoulders and I get out of the car, waving goodbye and walking towards my front door. He pulls out and drives away.

He's changed in the last few weeks, since we opened up to each other about our pasts we are more understanding and respect one another a lot more. Throughout dinner I would throw him glances to only find that he was already looking at me, and it seemed that any brief physical contact we had the chance to share we would. I know it's not smart to let these feelings grow but something was very different about this boy, and I couldn't help but feel excited when he's around me. I like him a lot more than I should but for once in my life i'm not going to overanalyze the situation, but instead see where it goes. I may have things to hide from him, but in a few months I can leave that behind and maybe I could tell him how I'm feeling, but until then he is only going to be a friend, and I'm okay with that.

I entered my home and started for the stairs, hoping my father is too preoccupied with party plans to care about my return. As I started to walk up the stairs I hear a cough from my right, in the doorway to the living area. I turn around and find my fathers silhouette looking directly at me.

"don't embarrass me" were his only words before he turns around and returns to his work. I sigh in relief and continue upstairs finding a stunning dress laid out on my bed. I sigh as I look at the beautiful emerald green, satin cocktail dress, and proceed to bed without a second glance.