Potholes

Chapter 60 As told by Parker

We settled into our cabin, it was small but comfortable, and there were enough rooms for Rowan and Hayden, me and Eva, and Emmet to be separate.

We found a stack of old board games in a cupboard in the living room, and we settled in the dining room to play them. I looked around the table, at all my best friends, and for the first time in a while, I felt completely at peace. I was able to forget about our parents, our money, about everything but here and now.

"Go on," Emmet said, kicking my foot under the table. "It's your turn."

I was glad he was here. With him back it was like a part of me that was missing was finally returned.

"Sorry, sorry. Pass me the dice."

After the most competitive game of monopoly I have ever witnessed, we were all hungry so Emmet and I decided we would try rummaging through the small walk-in pantry to find some snacks. His fluffy hair was a bit messier than usual and he was wearing a pair of round glasses to see the game we were playing earlier.

We were back to back looking at opposite sides of the cupboard, when Emmet said, "she must have cheated."

"I'm telling you, Rowan's really just that good at the game," I replied, talking about the winner of our monopoly game. "It's that little nerd brain of hers."

I heard him giggle.

"Find anything," I asked.

"Not yet," he replied, "you?"
"No- wait. Top shelf, cheez-its," I said, jumping up to reach them with the little space we had in the pantry.

"No way," He said turning around at the same time I did, making us face to face and only about an inch apart.

"Hi," I accidentally let out in an unnatural tone, expecting him to step away when he noticed how close we were. But he didn't, and for some reason I didn't either.

"Hey," He replied. I felt my cheeks warm up and I could only hope he didn't see how red they were turning, however with our faces nearly touching I doubted it would go unnoticed.

"Look what I found," I said, rattling the box of crackers in my hand.

"Cheez-its," I continued when he didn't say anything, he just maintained the overwhelming eye contact. Somehow I knew my face was only getting redder by the second. Then, out of nowhere, he looked up and made a little laughing sound, said "great," and walked out of the pantry like it was nothing. I felt my chest sink in relief, but also in some sort of disappointment. Was I expecting more? I immediately brushed off the thought and followed him out of the kitchen.