Holden Steele's Ruin [Completed]

Chapter 19

"Do you really have to go?" Tommy yawned exhaustion clear in his words as he rubbed his tired eyes. I had grown undoubtedly fonder of him, he was like a bundle of sunshine; talking my ear off about nothing and everything. I listened patiently, not disrupting him even when he struggled with some words while giving my input where it was required.

"Yes, but I'll come visit you soon" at Holden response a smile immediately dusted over his chapped lips.

"And Savannah too? She's my new friend, see?" he pointed to the wall beside his bed where he had insisted we stick the both of our 'art'. A stick figure dressed in a blob of grey; representing my top, with my name written bellow it stood beside the superhero character I had sketched for him.

"If she wants to" large hazel eyes stared into mine, passing me a pleading expression that immediately melted my heart. I smiled at Tommy while nodding my heard, emitting a large smile from him.

"Thanks for coming man" Knox's said as Holden and him hugged, patting each other briefly on the back "it was nice to meet you Savannah" he respectfully stretched his large hand towards mine, giving it a light squeeze.

Holden and I made our way back to his truck after Tommy's reluctant bid of goodbye, the soft humming of the radio washing over the tranquil silence as I watched the beautiful display of colours cast by the setting sun.

"Do you want to get something to eat?" Holden asked momentarily looking my way before focusing back on the road, as if only just registering my hunger my stomach grumbled incredibly loud without warning. I dug myself further into the leather seat in embarrassment as he let out a deep chuckle, my stomach further clenching.

My face remained facing outside the window, letting the light wind cool my incredibly heated skin. I could still barely even look Holden in the eye even when we parked in front of a rustic looking dinner, I hadn't gotten over my embarrassment yet.

Practically jumping off the truck, I tried vainly to compose myself; drugging in deep breaths before exhaling. We met at the front of the car, Holden lazily dropping an arm around my shoulder like it was something casual. It wasn't, every time he touched me it was like all my senses came alive, it wasn't healthy but I don't think I want it to stop.

The smell of greasy food hit me as I stepped past the threshold, my eyes quickly flying across the room. The dainty diner had a homey feel to it, its chipped walls doing nothing to deter it customers. The friendly looking waitresses filtered around, passing warm smiles to all the customers who were cheerfully chomping down on the mouthwatering food on their tables.

"It might not look like much but trust me it has the best burgers" Holden said beside me as he drugged me along with him to a secluded booth all the way across the room. One of the overly joyous waitresses immediately approached us once we sat down, handing us the menus. Taking Holden's advice I ordered a burger and a glass of milkshake while he opted for a diet coke with his burger

"Holden...why did you want me to meet Tommy?" I murmured as we waited on our orders. It was a question that had been bugging me since we left the hospital, I had practically been itching to know.

"Well he thinks his an artist and you actually are...I guess I just thought it would make him happy to have someone to bond with over drawing" a sad look settled in his grey eyes at the mention of the spirited child as his sharp jaw clenched incredibly.

"H- how did you meet him?" I knew I was treading on dangerous ground but I was too curious.

"My mother" the muscles on his jaw jumped as he grinned his teeth harder, his desolate eyes burning holes into the table. Like clock work my eyes snapped to his left hand settling on the immaculately designed black ink on his thumb, his mothers name.