𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥

puppy love

*River's POV*
A couple of weeks had passed since the weekend we spent at the cabin. The next day after the party we all played a bunch of games and hung out with Oliver before we had to go home.

Thanksgiving had passed and it was now mid-December and we only had about two more weeks to go until Christmas break. I had gotten closer to Rider over time but Alex still seemed skeptical about me.

I sat at my bedroom art desk as Rider went through the pictures in my art portfolio from freshman year on my bed.

"Well, I think you should finally ask her out. It's obvious she'd say yes and she's happy with you," Rider stated.

"I don't know," I felt that it could work out but at the same time I had this gut feeling she'd say no. I knew we were already a thing, but I thought making it exclusive would make her leave. Which I knew sounded ridiculous seeing she said multiple times she felt the same way.

Since that weekend at the cabin, we had hung out more often. Mostly at Rita's or at Ophelia's house while her family was gone.

He looked up from the pile of art, "Please tell me you aren't worried about Alex."
"No. I probably should be though," I muttered that last part voicing my thoughts.

"No you shouldn't be. We were fourteen when they dated it wasn't serious. I love Alex to death, but you two compared to them in the past is like this," he gestured with his hands putting one closer to the ground and the other above his head.

"Plus we could go on double dates," he added before looking back at the papers.

Rowan and Rider started dating a while after the Homecoming Dance. It was shocking to me at first that they were together. I didn't know them personally, but Rowan always seemed like this demanding, bad girl while Rider was the school's sweet golden boy. They were polar opposites but then again Ophelia and I seem the same way.

Suddenly, my phone began to ring from my nightstand. Although it was across the room next to Rider I could still see the name on the screen.

ophelia💘

Rider looked at the phone before turning towards me with a smirk plastered on his face, "C'mon answer it."

He walked over and tossed the phone in my lap before leaning against the wall. Looking at the screen, I slowly answered.

"Hey River."
"Hi."

Rider mouthed to put it on speaker, I moved the phone from my ear putting it on speaker and setting it on the desk.

"Are you busy tonight?" she asked.

I looked at Rider. We had planned on painting on one of his bedroom walls. He quickly shook his head before mouthing, "Say you aren't busy."

"N-no I'm free."
"Oh, good. Well I was wondering if you could go to the drive in with me? They're playing the stop motion movie Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town. It's kiddish but I haven't seen it in so long."
"Yeah, I'd like that."
"Great. The movie starts at 8."
"I'll pick you up at 7:30."
"Ok, thanks. Bye, Riv."
"Bye, Lia."

She hung up as I sighed, realizing I was slightly holding my breath.

"You have to do it tonight," Rider said.
"You mean ask her to be my girlfriend?"
"Yes! Take her out somewhere after the movies, like ice skating."

He picked up my arm to check the time on my apple watch. 6:50 p.m.

"C'mon you gotta get ready," he said before pulling me into my closet, "I suggest you put on a sweater and hoodie so you can give her the hoodie. Lia's literally the only person I know who can wear a sweater and still be cold."

I grabbed a fitted, white turtleneck and along with a pair of black jeans and a black hoodie with the word "Champion" across the chest.

"You have a better sense of fashion than me, I will admit," Rider laughed. I smiled at his comment as I went to the bathroom to get dressed.
***
As I drove in the direction to Ophelia's house, my heart began to speed up in pace and my hands wrapped tightly around the steering wheel. Whenever I was around her I was nervous, afraid of what I might say or do wrong.

She, on the other hand, was always so calm and relaxed. Although I was always anxious she did put me at ease for the most part with her lighthearted jokes and soothing voice.

I made my way into her long driveway and up to her front door. After knocking three times her younger brother, Romeo, swung the door open.

"River. It's nice to see you're taking my annoying sister away again. You know if you'd like you can keep her this time," he stated in a serious manner.

"Romeo," their mother's voice was laced with agitation as she moved him aside letting me in, "Hi darling."

"Hi Mrs. Thompson. Mr. Thompson," I felt my breathing hitch as her dad gave me a curious look.
He dropped his face and smiled, "Hi River."

Did he just...reply?

Before I could overanalyze his response, Ophelia was walking down the steps in a maroon sweater dress that stopped a little above her knees and sheer stockings.

She smiled making her way towards me before giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "Hey, Riv."
I smiled at her gesture, "Hi, Lia."

"You two have fun, be back before midnight," her dad instructed before walking into the living room, kissing Lia's forehead on the way out.

After getting back in my car, Ophelia changed the radio station, playing older songs. I drove in the direction of the drive in as she placed her hand in mine, with Puppy Love by Paul Anka softly playing in the background.

What'll happen on there date? ooooo dun dun DUN💀
But um child anyways this took me a while to write and I'm finally piecing together how this book should goooo
Also THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 500 Reads💓I was shocked ngl especially seeing the amount of reads the "ophelia" chapter had, let me know your suggestions by commenting or messaging me

Random Question of the Day: What are your favorite interracial Wattpad stories?

My Answer: (all in my reading lists check them out)
1) flower | zayn m. 
~Has Autism Awareness~
2) He Wore A Hood
~Comedy and Very Relatable~
3) SAPIOSEXUAL
~River Phoenix Book, Based in the 90s, Sweet~
4) Being Good is Boring.
~Great Story, Has a Sequel, Love the Storyline~