The Boy Next Door

Chapter 29

The whiff of salt water swirled in the air around me. I took a deep breath in and slid my sunglasses over my eyes. I grabbed a towel and took off my shoes, the sand oozing between my toes. I could hear the roar of the ocean in front of me and I felt calm and peaceful. Sure it was the end of November and it was only 60 degrees outside, but I still felt like I was in my own little paradise.

"Enough of this admiring the nature crap," Carter said coming up behind me.

I just rolled my eyes. Then I smirked at him before saying, "Race ya to the beach!" I took off running my feet bouncing off of the sand and my heart pounding in my chest. I hadn't run in forever but I finally felt free.

There was nothing holding me back.

Not the fact that I now had a head full of nothing but a scar.

Not the fact that my boyfriend died a couple months ago.

Not the fact that I came so close to death a couple months ago.

Nothing was holding me back.

I quickly snapped out of it, and cleared my head. I was going to beat Carter Trenton to that beach.

I picked up my speed just as Carter became close behind me.

Crap. I forgot how fast he was.

I was so close to the shore. I could already taste my sweet victory - but not for long.

Suddenly, steady hands scooped me up from behind. But, I was still moving towards the ocean.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" I screeched, noticing how close Carter and I had come to the ice cold water. I had no intentions of touching that freezing water today, but it looks like my plans were going to change.

Carter just laughed and the next thing I knew, was that I was sailing in the air towards the crystal water. I let out a blood curdling scream as the waves engulfed my body. I instantly became numb and my teeth started chattering.

"I will get you back mister!" I shouted through chattering teeth, taking off running after him.

I knew that he was too fast for me to catch him, so I played the "injured" card. I quickly fell to the ground, "My head!" I shouted pretending to be in agonizing pain.

Instantly Carter sprinted to my side. "Oh my God Keeley. I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Do you need a doctor? This was all my fault. This was all my fault." He quickly rambled, worry swirling in his eyes. My heart swelled but I stifled back a laugh.

He cared. He actually cared. It wasn't one of those moments where someone would politely ask you if you were alright. He was making sure I was okay not because it was the right thing to say but because he loved me. He actually loved me.

It feels nice when someone cares about you. But it feels incredible when someone you love cares about you as much as you care about them.

"I don't think I need a doctor," I said grabbing my head and stumbling into the cold ocean. The ocean was bitter cold and the water felt as if it was piercing my skin but I knew it would be worth it. Like the good caring person I knew he was, Carter followed me into the ocean. "Can you help me up?" I questioned reaching out my hand.

"Yeah. Sure thing."

Suddenly, I yanked on his arm and he came crashing into the ice cold waves. I jumped up and began running around the shore once again.

Carter laughed before getting up and shaking some of the water out of his hair. "That was a low move, Keeley," he stated before he also jumped up dashing towards me. And just like that, the chase began again.

Eventually Carter caught up to me and hugged me from behind, making me stop.

"Got ya," he whispered into my ear, kissing my cheek.

I whipped around a pecked him on the lips. "Yes you did," I stated before grabbing his hand. "Now let's go dry off and set up the picnic like we were supposed to do in the first place.

"Race ya," Carter said in an adventurous tone.

"Not a chance. I've done enough running for today. You are welcome to carry me up though," I said sweetly batting my eyelashes.

"You are lucky I love you," he said scooping me up bridal style.

I laughed as we reached the car. Yes, I was. And I loved him so much.

~•~•~

"You know what?" Carter said as we both munched on our sandwiches, staring at the rolling waves.

"What?" I asked, curious as to what was on his mind.

"I haven't gotten to take you on an actual date yet. That is sad."

"You are right. We've just been so busy with ... everything that has been going on," I said vaguely, not wanting to bring up anything specific. The wound from October was still fresh. "What has it been a month?"

"Well it will be a month in 3 days."

Aww he knew that our month anniversary was coming up!! I actually knew the exact date too but I didn't want to seem like an obsessive girlfriend so I didn't say anything.

"We have to at least go on one date before our one month anniversary," I said taking a sip of my lemonade

"Then it's settled."

Wait what? Did I miss something. I do that sometimes. Zone out of a conversation....... I need to work on that.

"Um, what's settled exactly?" I questioned confused.

"Our date tonight. I will pick you up or drive you to our date at 6:00."

I looked at my watch. It was currently 2:33

"But I won't have enough time to shower, or do my hair, oh wait I guess I don't need to do that, I still have to find something to wear and it will at least take us an hour to drive home, but if there is bad traffic, or if we run out of gas......." I rambled nervously.

Carter softly kissed me, silencing my nonsense. "Chill out. Remember that I asked you to be my girlfriend when you were in a hospital nightgown, you hadn't showered for a few days, your hair was a mess, you had no makeup on. That girl that I kissed that night will be the same girl I kiss tonight. Just because her appearance changes doesn't mean she will. I love you for who you are now, who you always were, and who you always will be."

Carter entangled our fingers and laid down on our blue picnic blanket. I followed his motion and laid down on his chest. As my head rested on his chest he kissed my head and we both stared out at the ocean before us.

"I love you Keeley Anderson and no matter how much make up you put on or how many times you tell me you aren't good enough for me, I will never stop loving you. And if you really want me to, I will stop and get gas on the way home."

And in that moment, everything was perfect and we laid in the beautiful scilence for no more words needed to he said.

~•~•~

****Authors Note!****

Yes I know this chapter is extremely short but I wanted to get something written and posted since it had been over a month since I have updated! Hopefully the next chapter will be longer and posted before another month goes by but the next upcoming weeks will be HECTIC for me so just bear with me :)

Thank you all again for reading my story!! It means so much to me!

~Riley