Saving Pierson

Feelings

River

"How do you feel?"

"Better."

"Sooo, about Pierson?" Cash smirks.

I raise an eyebrow. "What?"

"Oh come on, there's obviously chemistry there!! Do you like her?" he asks.

I exhale. "Feelings are hard."

"Only because you make it like that, dude!" he walks around. "You need her and she needs you! You're childhood best friends and fate brought you guys together again. Come on."

"Listen, Cash. That girl has been through hell and back and I doubt she's ready to get into another relationship. She still has trust issues, dude. I can't push her." I snap.

He groans. "But I talked to her! Dude! She was hollering over you because she was so scared. Sophia had to spend the night with her all those nights. Try, please? She needs you and Sophia told me about to kiss! What's that about? You both clearly like each other so why not try?"

I clench my jaw and sigh. "I don't know."

"Try for it." he wiggles my shoulder.

I huff.

**

"Let's try this again." I walk over.

"I hate this place." Linden shivers.

"Does it look like I wanna be here either? I'm here to do my job." I pull out my camera for pictures of the house.

"Hey, so, Chief mentioned that you're closing your not gonna be a state trooper anymore." Linden scans around in disgust.

I sigh. "Yeah. I'm just gonna stay local. Maybe one day I'll go back state but for right now, just for the county."

"I'll miss the long car rides with you." he tugs his lips to the side.

"I won't." I walk into a room. "Holy fuck it reeks of piss!"

"I think they peed all on this room..." Linden points to yellow stains all in the carpet and wall.

I quickly take the pictures and leave the room. "Three kids crammed into that tiny room?"

"Yeah." Linden walks into another room. "Oh cool. A tooth."

"What are you? The tooth fairy?"

"Could I pull it off?"

"You're a fairy alright."

"Mwah!"

I roll my eyes and find a note from Melinda, the nine year old.

Dear secret diary,
mommy and daddy locked us in our rooms again... all because we didn't wash the dishes correctly :( it's scary in here :( daddy hit me again on the cheek and it really really hurts ... oh GTG!!

I frown and put it in the evidence bag. "No kid deserves this."

"They don't." Linden grabs more evidence and pictures.

I tug my lips to the side.

**

"How's your head?" Nelson asks with a frown.

"Fine. Concussion, but I'm fine." I take off my jacket. "When's the banquet?"

"Friday." he replies. "You gonna bring a date?"

"Maybe." I go to grab a bag of chips, but we call get a call for a speed chase. "Gosh dang." I take my jacket and run to my truck along with the other officers.

We speed off and put on our sirens, causing everyone to move over or stop their cars.

I watch my monitor and step on the gas when I see the only officers and the van they're chasing.

I get faster enough that I'm first.

I love being first.

This guy robbed a bank, casual.

Officers come on all sides, blocking him in so he can't drive off anymore. Easy. We all get of and he surrenders.

Before I get to it, other officers grab the man.

**

"Didn't you arrest Addax?" the robber asks.

My head turns. "How do you know Addax?"

"He's my brother." he responds with a smirk.

"So crackhead tendencies run into be family, yeah?"

"Shut up."

"I got it from here." Riley walks in and I nod, walking off and getting a phone call as soon as I clock out.

I answer.

"Hey! Are you off?" Pierson asks from the other side of the phone.

I laugh and get into my car. "Yeah, just clocked out. I'm on way tooooo?" I wait for her to finish the sentence.

"Your house? We're all here waiting." she laughs.

"Bro what the fuck?"

"Yup yup yup!" she chirps. "Watching horror movies."

I playfully roll my eyes. "Alright, I'll be there. OH I'm finally off for the next two weeks."

"Awesome! More time to party!" she laughs and Cash talks in the background. "Well hey, we'll see you when you get home!"

"Okay. I'll you in a bit."

"Bye!"

"Bye." I hang up.

Yawning, I start my drive home.

I run my fingers through my hair, lost in thoughts if I should tell her like Cash said, or not.

Within ten minutes, I sigh as I pull into my driveway and walk into a mini party.

"Ayeee!" Cash walks in. "How was work?"

"Good?" I push my eyebrows together in confusion. "Why are you being so nice?"

"Cause he's drunk." Sophia smiles.

"As are you." Pierson playfully rolls her eyes.

I pull Pierson into my side. "Can I talk to you outside?"

"It's coldddd." she chuckles and I grab her a blanket.

"C'mon." I take her hand and lead her outside.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" she asks in worrisome.

I shake my head. "No no, nothings wrong. I just wanna talk to you about something."

"Go for it!" she smiles.

"I cant deny these feelings I have for you anymore..."I trail off. "I don't know... you're what I've been needing in my life and didn't even know. You're so bright and on an amazing path. You're gorgeous, you have a smile that can brighten anyone's day without a doubt! When we were kids I had the biggest crush on you so as soon as I saw you in that station, my eyes locked with yours and that all came back. You make everything better and help not only me, but my friends. You've who I've needing all along." I push my eyebrows together and takes her hands.

She tries to form words.

"I-I-I'm sorry, River. I don't think I'm ready to be with someone again yet..."

My heart drops.