Chapter Twenty Six

I'm struggling as I make my way to my truck when school is over. I feel like the stack of text books I'm juggling are nearly as tall as I am. I nearly make it but then I trip over air. Thankfully I do not hit the ground but my books do.

Of course. As soon as I get home my inner spaz comes out a thousand times stronger. I begin to pick up my books when Dawson joins me. "Dang, Riley. Where's your book bag?" I shake my head as my face warms up.

I stand up before answering. "I forgot it back in L.A. I'll just get another one today." I curiously watch him take what books I had out of my arms. "What are you doing?"

He grins. "Can't let such a pretty girl carry her own books now can I?" I blush. Again. Dang it. "Awh, am I making you blush, Riley? I'm flattered." Dang it.

"I always blush. I can think about blushing and blush. It doesn't mean anything." He grin falters a bit and I feel bad instantly. I just get tired of guys thinking they have some sort of special power over me when it's usually just anxiety at the attention.

"Ouch, girl. Dang. Anyways where's your car?" I watch him scan the parking lot. "Do you have a car? I know you used to take the bus." I grin and nod at Black Beauty.

"Dawson, meet Black Beauty. She was a moving away gift but you see how that turned out." He gawks.

"No freaking way! A Ford Raptor? Take me for a ride! Take me home!" I laugh. "Riley I'm serious. I thought you were beautiful but standing next to this truck..." I laugh and lightly punch his arm.

"Rude. You aren't lying though. But I have to go straight to the diner and let Nanny know I made it." He nods his head.

"Great, she loves me. Follow me home and I'll park my Jeep and ride with you there. And then maybe we could go get you a book bag? For when I'm not around to save you." He winks and I'm stunned at everything he is saying. Sure we had been around each other since Pre-K but we had never actually hung out. He never even seemed interested in hanging out with me before. Red flag alert.

"Dawson what's going on? Is this like a bet or something? Be straight with me." I watch his eyes widen and then saw what appeared to be hurt in them. He shakes his head but before he can respond I keep going. "We've been around each other since we were kids and you never once looked twice at me. Now you want to hang out? It just doesn't make sense.

He shakes his head again, faster this time. "Riley Brinks are you that oblivious? Really? I've been crushing on you since second grade when I accidentally spilled your chocolate milk and you called me incompetent. I had to go home and ask my mama what that word meant. And look twice at you? Girl please. I get picked on for staring at you. And then picked at again when you never notice. You really have no clue how pretty you are, do you?" My mouth forms an "o." Consider me shook.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" I don't know what I asked, I knew the answer. I was unapproachable. He smiled.

"You never seemed interested so I figured by crushing from a distance I could at least pretend there was hope. Then you moved and I was so bummed out. Angry at myself really for not having the balls to at least try. But then I saw you in home room today and knew I couldn't just let the chance pass me by again. Anyways, ignore all of that and follow me home, yeah?" I just numbly nod and get in my truck.

Dawson is a really nice guy. And he's definitely handsome. But I honestly just needed to chill. I mean look at what happened with Trevor in the span of barely two weeks? How does one go from having no life to moving so damn fast? I shake my head and pull my truck on the side of the road in front of Dawson's house. Maybe we could be friends.

He hops in BB with a bright grin on his face and looks at me. "Let's do this thing, girl. Selfie!" I shake my head. What is it with my generation and their selfies? I stick my tongue out as he crosses his eyes.

"Add me as soon as you can so I can tag you in this." I laugh and nod my head. I should probably get another phone today. Definitely with a new number though.

When we're pulling into the parking lot at Nanny's Diner Dawson is head banging to Alan Jackson and I can't stop laughing.

Nanny looks happy to see both of us as she points at a booth for us to sit in. I was surprised when Dawson chose to sit beside me instead of opposite of me.

Nanny comes up to the table and winks at Dawson. "I see you finally got your nerve up, huh?" I watch as he blushes and nods his head.

"Yes ma'am. Lesson learned." Nanny laughs and looks at me. "So how was your first day back?" I nod.

"It was pretty good. Better than I thought it would be. Dawson was going to ride with me to get a book bag a new phone. Is that alright?" She smiles widely.

"Yes, of course honey. I need a way to reach you anyway. Do you need any money?" I shake me head.

"No ma'am, I'm all good. Thank you. Do you need anything before we go? I don't mind helping." She looks at me like I had lost my mind.

"No ma'am. I told you this morning- it's your turn. Now go be young, wild, and free. Just be home by 8:30 please." I smile and nod my head. I note that Dawson is watching the exchange rather intensely.

We get back in the truck. "We're getting your phone first so you can give me your number and add me on Facebook." I stare at him. "Don't give me that look, Riley. I'm nervous as hell. You ain't getting away again." I start the truck.

"Dawson, I just got out of something kind of sticky. I don't know when I'll be ready again." He nods his head.

"I understand that. You're still going to have to deal with me hanging around though. Especially since you live with with Nanny. I love that woman's cooking." I laugh and agree. That was easier than I thought it would be.

Thirty minutes later and I was watching Dawson put his number in my phone. Then he handed it to me and looked at me expectantly. I sighed and signed into Facebook. I had a stunning number of notifications but I refused to check them. I looked up Dawson and sent him a request. He sighed happily.

"Why does is say you're still in a relationship with Trevor Lyles? That's the guy isn't it?" I nod my head.

"I haven't been on Facebook since before I left." He nods his head but still looks a little sad.

"I guess he doesn't want to let you go either because he hasn't bothered to change his relationship status either." I try not to look sad. Judging by the look on Dawson's face though I can tell I've failed miserably.

"He probably forgot to knowing him." I pull into the lot of the department store and we head in.

"I'm sorry he hurt you, Riley. Please let me help you heal." I don't say anything, just opting to grab the first bag I see.

"You want a Barbie book bag?" I look down, slightly horrified. "Are you plastic? Can I brush your hair?" He smirks. Oh, no. "Undress you everywhere?" I throw the bag down and walk away. I hear him laughing.

Eventually I just opt for a basic black book bag. Dawson nods. "Yeah, that suits you."

I smile and my heart drops when I hear my messenger ping. I ignore it and we head back to the truck. It pings again. And again. I huff and decide to open the app when I get in the truck.

Nicholas. Matt. Claudette. Trevor. And even Mr. T. I'll open them later. I smile at Dawson. "Want a milkshake? I want a milkshake." He grins.

"I'm always down for a milkshake." I laugh and we head to the local ice cream joint. I'm surprised again when Dawson chooses to sit beside me once again.

"So, Riley B. Tell me everything about you. What do you want to be when you grow up? What makes you laugh so hard that you cry? What makes you sad? And do you think I'm cute?" I snort.

"Slow down, killer. There's no rush. I'm not that interesting, I promise you." He shakes his head. He runs a finger lightly over my hand.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to be this close to you. At this point you could say we had forever and I'd still say it wasn't long enough. I should've made my move a long time ago, Riley." I smile and meet his pretty eyes. Maybe he could help me forget about Trevor.

"I want to be a marine biologist. Adam Sandler movies. Not being wanted. And yea I do." His eyes never leave mine as he scoots even closer. This was good. Dawson was good, normal. I need this.

"Riley, I know I said we could take our time but when you're looking at me like you want me to kiss you it makes it very hard." It was my turn to scoot closer. "Riley."

I just do it. I lean in and kiss his full red lips. He freezes but then leans in. It's a nice kiss. A sweet kiss. A safe kiss. He pulls me even closer and deepens it. I grab his chocolate brown locks and he moans. Finally we break apart. He's panting as he stares at me intensely.

"After a kiss like that, you better not ever think you're unwanted again." He turns away from me and focuses on his caramel milkshake. I do the same with my basic chocolate one.

That kiss was...wow. I'm not stupid. I know this is way too fast. But I have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to being young, wild, and free. Cheers.