𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓜𝓻𝓼. 𝓘𝓷𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓜𝓮𝓽 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓼𝓽...

Chapter 47

The entire weekend since Thanksgiving Day, I hadn't seen Remington and I was starting to get worried. It was obvious that the excuse he made that he had a headache was fake, and he was more upset than I originally thought. I didn't expect my choice to visit my parents to hit Rem so hard, and now I was left regretting ever going and should have just stayed with my friends. When I tried to visit him once or twice, his brothers say he's not feeling well or he just wasn't in the mood and I didn't want to make it any worse. I once left a jar of Nutella with a bow on it and an apology note to hopefully get him to know I was trying to reach out to him. I really hope things get back to normal though, I'd hate to lose one of my best friends in this town.

The next day I worked, it was a bit slow since the shopping rush had halted a little since the weekend. Though I knew it would only get worse with Christmas now on everybody's mind. It was on my mind as well, and I wanted to invest some presents for my friends, I just hoped I would be able to find enough money to get everything I wanted for them. I honestly couldn't wait for when December starts the next day because that's when people start decorating and playing Christmas music, and its like the one time in the year, I feel serenity and peace and love when its usually chaotic and hateful. No better feeling in the world to me. I was thinking all of this when I worked late that day, and after saying goodnight to Ryan, I was walking to my car when I saw Remington leaning up against the side of it with his arms folded and wearing a heartwarming smile.

I was genuinely surprised because he hadn't seen me since I left to my hometown, and I never missed him more. "Remington?", I asked trying to hide the smile that started growing on my mouth. He shook his head and joked, "Nope, I'm his clone and am part of an alien takeover group." I couldn't help but laugh, and he laughed too, making my heart skip a beat. I then stopped and started speaking, "Oh, Remington. I'm so sorry about what I-" He cut me off, "No, Carina. You don't have to apologize for a thing. I was being an asshole for being so childish. I hope you can forgive me." I looked at him and touched his arm while saying, "Of course I can. You're my best friend." He gave me a look that started to make me nervous, and then he looked down for a second before asking me, "So, why don't we bury the hatchet for good and grab a shake or two?" I was confused, "But the diner is closed at this hour, isn't it?" He winked at me and offered his hand while declaring, "I know a way we can still get one."

I felt unsure at first, but I trusted him and took his hand while smiling in response. He led me down the street where the diner was located a few feet from the store, and then we went around the back. He stopped at the back door which seemed locked, but he pulled out some kind of figure that he used to jiggle the lock, and like magic, unlock the door and open it. "Remington", I whispered loudly so only he could hear, "couldn't we get caught?" He shook his head and reassured me, "I've done this a million times, it'll be okay. I promise." I hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside. He led me to a table in the kitchen where I assumed the employees took their break, and I waited a couple of minutes as he heated up some food and prepared some milkshakes. When he was done, he made chocolate shakes for both of us, and a cheeseburger for me while he had a tray of French fries.

While we ate, we talked about different things and laughed and I thought it was a bit unethical, but it felt lie we were having our first date here. Our conversation got deeper and I mentioned how insecure I was about my hair and how it made me feel outcasted in a world run by blondes. He squeezed my hand and said, "The way I see it, there are way too many blondes and not enough redheads. Instead of seeing yourself as a outcast, you should see yourself as a rare gem in a pile of rocks." I have to admit that made me smile, and then he kissed my hand, causing me to blush again. He smirked at my embarrassment, and then I said sarcastically, "You sure like to steal kisses from me after I confessed I've never been kissed. It's a bit unfair to me, Leith." His smirk didn't leave his face and he replied with an arched brow, "Well, that's your problem, Carina. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how." I practically froze when he said that, and we just stared at each other in stunned silence. We both jumped when we heard the front door of the diner being unlocked.

Rem took my hand and led us inside the meat freezer to hide after we heard the front door open and the diner owner come inside. He closed the door behind us, and held me close as he looked out the opening to see if the owner was still here. I was scared like all hell of being discovered for breaking and entering, but at the same time, I felt super nervous as I was so close to Remington and I could feel his heart beat in his chest. I looked up at him to see he was still looking out, and I found myself just staring at his features: his eyes, his lips, his wild, black hair, and I felt like I could look at him forever and never get bored. His eyebrows raised up, and I broke out of my entranced spell as he smiled and let me go to open the door, "He's gone, we're good. Let's get out of here."

We cleaned up our mess with the food, walked out the back door as Remington locked it again. I then started laughing uncontrollably, and he looked at me like I was crazy. "Carina, are you okay?", he asked me. I nodded and said between my laughs, "That was so much fun, and we almost got caught!" I laughed again, and then he started laughing too. After a minute, I was starting to get breathless, and we both stopped slowly. I then looked at him, and I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. His body tensed up, not expecting that, and I remarked, "I had a great time. Thank you for dinner, Remington." He then proceeded to put his arms around me and embrace me back. We stayed like that for longer than I expected, but I wasn't complaining. It was in this exact moment - both of us locked in each other's close and warm embrace - that it was clear like crystal to me even after I pulled away and drove back home: I was completely and unapologetically in love with Remington Leith.

EEEE!!! Who else was waiting for something like this? I'm sorry to keep you waiting for so long, but the wait would have been worth it if you were patient. Now that Carina's accepted her feelings for Remington, what's going to happen next? Stay tuned... BTW, if you can spot the Gone With The Wind quote put in this chapter, you get 100 points to your Hogwarts House (if you're a fan of Harry Potter). See you soon!!! 😘😘😘