In-between

Chapter 5

“A romantic vacation to an occupied island” I whisper my voice forced to be low due to the serene environment; He’s on the driver’s seat asking me questions to know me better. We’ve been discussing dream vacations.
Dylan has been a little weird ever since he went upstairs to talk to Emma. I tried to make him tell me but he would rather deal with it on his own, which is frustrating for me in many ways as I’m utterly obsessed with him.
And I find it a necessity to know if what’s bothering him is partially my fault.
He shuts the radio and in a tired raspy voice, he says “a romantic getaway to a private island… a house with no walls. Just glass. That’s reckless not me.”
“Very dangerous indeed. Two things you have in common. I see why you didn’t pick architecture as your major.” I smile, teasing him slightly however knowing what he means. He turns his head and gives me a squinted glare. I bite my lip, rushing away the smile. He just shakes his head as he refocuses on the road.

“Dyl…stop,” I whisper to him, holding carefully my serving of avocado frozen yogurt, topped with a bunch of chocolate desserts and a few slices of kiwi. A few seven to nine miles from the theatres place was a frozen yogurt spot called blue forest, a self-served parlor where you grab whatever you want and payment regards the weight in ounces.
Dylan looks up at the cashier, bottle of whipped cream in his hand. He then looks at me and aims the tip of the dispenser onto his chocolate flavored servings, topped with pineapple and mango banana slices, then few chocolate chips. Whipped cream stacks on top of his frozen yogurt making a huge hill and he continues to do it like an overexcited child before I grab the cold can from him.
Flickering his eyes to me I stare back and quietly scold him with a soft laugh at my lips. 
“Dylan…people are looking at you like you’ve gone nuts.”
“I haven’t gone nuts, but I definitely have them.” he remarks lowly, making me struggle to suppress a grin as he remains stolid. His little jokes are becoming more prominent and clearly more frequent the more time I spend with him. I can’t say I mind because I truly don’t. He suddenly grabs the can from me and fills in spots he missed with the creamy substance.
Frowning lightly at him, I mutter, “Guess you have a sweet tooth huh?”
From his lowered head, he looks up at me and says; “You could say that.” his voice is low and husky.
By the time we’ve reached the cashier, Dylan ignores my attempts to tell him I can pay for myself; and goes on with it. I send him a look and when he makes eye contact, he stares unfazed by my warning gaze
He hands me my yogurt that I take with a thank you, wanting to say other things but Dylan beats me to it
“Do you want to eat here or?” 
I shrug. “Whatever is fine with me.”
“Okay, then I have an idea.”
Raising an eyebrow, I give him along look before un-pausing. “What is it?”
“Don’t look at me like that,” he chuckles beneath his breath, grabbing small blue spoons for me and himself. “You’ve ever been to a cliff?”
“No? Is that where we’re going?” I ask him.
He nods. “My mother used to take me there when I was a kid. I was a bit crazy and temperamental.”
“We’re going there tonight?”
“Yeah, we can eat here if you want.” he tells me when he notices the hesitation in my eyes.
Shrugging, I began to nod. “Alright yeah. It’ll be fun.”
We walk out and head towards his car, a well kept pickup truck that smells like cologne. The smell is heavenly and I keep the thought to myself obviously.
Halfway to the cliff, Dylan and I have almost finished our frozen yogurt. He uses one hand on the steering wheel while the other holds the serving of frozen yogurt. I watch him struggle to get the spoon to his mouth too many times before I ask, “do you need help?”
He sighs. “Yeah,”
“Okay, come,” I quickly take the last spoonful of frozen yogurt to finish mine off. I place it by the cup holders between us and reach out for Dylan’s cup. He turns his head to look at me, frowning with a questioning look. “What? Hand me you frozen yogurt.”
“Are you going to feed me?”He questions highly confused.
I nod, chuckling when he quickly widens his eyes and sighs. Shaking his head, he puts the spoon back into the yogurt and hands it to me. Smiling to myself, I sit up straighter and scoop up some of the dessert, just as Dylan mutters, “can’t believe I’m being fed right now.”
“Hush.” I laugh, moving the spoon carefully towards him. He opens his mouth and closes his lips around the tiny spoon. “See, isn’t this much easier?” I go to move the spoon away only to realize he has a tight grip on it with his teeth. “Oh come on.”
Grinning to himself, he releases it and for most of the ride this happens back and forth. “Get some mango pieces in there,” He complains and I scoop up the yogurt with a slice of mango.
Opening his mouth, he whines and I chuckle as he excitedly awaits for the spoon. He huskily groans through a mouthful of frozen yogurt and exclaims, “thank you!” thankfully being able to keep his eyes on the road and his hand on the wheel.
***
Dylan looked happy when he parked the car a few feet from the edge of the large cliff, the back of his truck overlooking the town’s bright lights and the ocean that’s beyond it watching the waves crashing against one another.
I hopped out of the car and kicked my shoes settling myself on one side while the other occupied Dylan. Many pillows and comfortable blankets were thrown to make the truck softer and more comfortable. When he opens a bag filled with cherry I couldn’t control my giggles.
“Dyl, when did you do all this?” I smiled as he buried his face into my neck playfully. “Harry  was there with you for a reason.” he laughs into my neck making me squirm and slap at his chest.
My hands reach into the bag and grabbed a cherry popping it into my mouth my tongue bursting with flavors.
“You should try them. They’re really good.”
He grinned before opening his mouth to be fed like before.
We laid there under the sheets probably for thirty minutes; ending up bantering about ourselves and getting to know each other. He seemed to dislike cliché movies and he likes horror as well as action. His favorite movie is “Terminator.” surprising me and swearing he’s not lying. He also doesn’t like girls who lie and he had a hard time coping with Emma. The idea of him and Emma makes me bitter still and my mouth runs itself before I can stop it.
“What were you arguing about?”
“Some silly stuff; I think I’m going to end things with her I’m not really feeling her anymore. I think I might just be single for a while until I figure myself out you know?” he smirks as his head turned to watch me instead of the beautiful darkening sky.
And we’re back to square 1. I can’t believe I even thought I had a chance with him. It’s ridiculous to think Dylan would consider being with someone even after the conversation we had and my hopes went tumbling down as fast as they came up.
I looked up from his stare the new information still stunning me in ways I couldn’t imagine. I turn my head to look at the sky to avoid his stare and questioning look. The stars haven’t looked this pretty in a long time. My head lies on the pillow under me.

My leg bent at the knee and our eyes bright from staring at the stars. He was running the tip of his finger up and down my calf. Even the slightest touch from him ignites something deep from within me but I know for him it’s just a friendly gesture and I should get used to it.
The night was humid and irritatingly hot. Although there was a soft occasional wind blowing air against our bare skin. We didn’t bother bringing to many clothes because of the temperature.
I usually enjoyed these nights back at home but here it’s all there is and it’s suffocating.
“We should head back. We’ve been gone all day.” I announce breaking Dylan from the trance he seemed to fall in.
“We just got here, we should stay a few minutes tops.” he answers his head turning to look at me again. I nodded my body situating itself in a more comfortable position.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why haven’t you kissed anyone before Chris?” he asks his eyes shining with curiosity. I guess I’ve been too consumed by the hopes of him recognizing me I haven’t bothered to date someone.
“I don’t know, I guess I don’t like guys as much as I thought I did.”
He stares at me his eyes wide and his pink full lips in a frown as he examines my face looking for something specific.
“Oh God; No! Not that way; I’m not gay.” I tell him and he quickly nods before turning back to stare at the sky.

This conversation has taken a turn to the worst and I can’t even backtrack now. He was still staring at the sky after 2 whole minutes not even a word being shared between us, we had an amazing day today but my stupid mouth ruined it all and this new me he has discovered is going to stay with us for a while.
“Dylan, let’s just go back.” I suggest my hand grabbing his that was ‘still on my calf and force his eyes to me.
“No, I don’t want to go back yet. I have to tell Emma I can’t do this anymore.” he mutters under his breath but I heard him just fine.
I just nodded the silence and the comfortable environment forcing me. I know it’s silly to think that he might change his mind but a small part of me wishes he completely abandons the idea and just be with me but I buried that little part deep down.
Half an hour passed, he finally decides we head back and after making sure everything was in its place he walks back to me and offered me a large hand, which I willingly took. He tugged and easily pulled me down to stand in front of him.
“Thank you for coming with me today.” he said softly tucking a wisp of hair behind my ear.
“Of course, thank you for bringing me,” I returned beyond grateful he had chosen to share this part of his life with me.
“mmhmm.” he hummed, acknowledging my thanks with a soft smile. “Shall we get out of here? It’s getting cold.”
“Let’s.” he reached down to gather up the blankets and pillows, helping me fold them back up into a neat pile before grabbing the bag stack of blanket, leaving me to carry only the pillows which I gladly accepted.
Even though I was carrying the pillows my arm felt like it was going to fall off, the heaviness of a feather weighing me down; as if reading my thoughts Dylan extended his arms out allowing him to grasp my hand in his palms and helping me carry them.
“Thanks,” I beamed pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“Welcome,” he said as he leaned down again to retrieve his items.
Our drive home was full of light- hearted conversation. Dylan attempted to tell me jokes while I laughed maniacally at his poor attempts.
He pretended to be offended and refused to smile until I had apologized profusely, claiming he was the funniest person I’d ever met.
I couldn’t help but giggle at the goofy smiles he would shoot me every few seconds tearing his gaze away from the road for only a split second to look at me. Today has been so perfect; I wouldn’t have changed a single thing about it. Okay fine maybe a little.
When we pulled onto the driveway, I already started to feel the pang of disappointment that reminds me that the day has finally ended and this is where I lose the Dylan I like as soon as he steps into the house.
If I could I would be with him constantly all day every day.  He threw his car into park turning to face me in his seat.
He smiled softly at me from over the console his hand had just landed on my thigh when a loud crash sounded from the cabin making both of us jump and spring apart. Both of our gazes were jerked towards the house widening at the sound of a second crash, followed by the sound of Emma yelling something inaudible.

“What the hell.” I hear Dylan say before abruptly throwing open the door and rushing out of the car. I was stunned in the passenger’s seat before quickly coming to my senses and following him up the driveway hurriedly.
“Wait, Dylan,” I called, running to catch up with him. I tugged at his arm trying to slow him down.
‘You don’t know what’s going on in there; it could be dangerous.” I tried to reason.
“My girlfriend is in there yelling. I have to go in.” he said distractedly, trying to shake my grip from his arm as he continued on his path to the front door. I sighed audibly before resigning, quickly giving up on trying to reason with him and instead following close behind him.
With Out hesitating, he threw his shoulder into it and jerked it open. The loud shouts of Emma clearer now as he continued his path in. he rushed through the foyer desperate to see what was going on.