Jayden
My dad and Liz soon left, as if wanting to excuse the latest couple in town. Allison sat down on the bed beside me, her eyes locked on mine. I met her gaze, my heart still racing from the earlier confrontation.
“Wanna know something?” I whispered.
“Hmm… What?” she asked, raising a brow.
“Jumping out of the moving car never felt this good. I mean, our parents are going to accept us because of that,” I laughed, a smirk appearing on my lips afterward.
“Why the heck did you do that?” she half-yelled, her voice laced with concern. “How could you want to kill yourself because of me…”
“Because I like you,” I replied, shrugging my shoulders in the most nonchalant way possible.
“You’re crazy, aren’t you?” she asked, a frown appearing on that cute face that I couldn’t even ignore.
“Crazy for you,” I muttered before giving an obvious nod. “Yes, I am.”
Allison rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile on her lips. “Oh, please stop it.”
I reached out and took her hands, squeezing her fingers gently, and after staring at her face for what seemed like forever, I glanced downwards at our holding hands.
“I’m going to make everything right with you,” I promised, my voice low and sincere. “I don’t care what other people say. So, just wait for my confession… or should I say my public announcement.”
Allison’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and I could sense her anticipation. I smiled to myself, knowing exactly how I was going to confess my love to her.
As I held her hands, my mind drifted to the upcoming club party at school. It was the perfect setting to confess my love to Allison in front of everyone. I envisioned the look on her face – the surprise, the delight, the sparkle in her eyes. My heart swelled with excitement at the prospect of making her mine, of proclaiming my love to the world. I knew that I was in love with her and I was ready to ride on this journey.
I gazed at Allison, my voice low and soothing, a deliberate attempt to showcase my gentle side. “So, when are you returning to school?” I asked, my eyes locked onto hers, drinking in the warmth of her presence.
“Tomorrow, of course,” she replied, a hint of a smile dancing on her lips. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and trepidation, and I sensed a deep-seated longing beneath her carefree demeanor.
“What about you?” she asked, her brow furrowed in concern. “I’m certain you aren’t planning on joining me on campus tomorrow, or are you?” Her voice was laced with amusement, but I detected a hint of hope beneath the surface.
I leaned in, my heart pounding in my chest. “I should really come with you,” I whispered, my voice husky with emotion. “I don’t think I can bear being even a mile away from you.” My words hung in the air, a vulnerable declaration of my feelings.
Allison’s eyes widened, and she pouted, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation. “Be serious,” she teased, but I sensed a flutter in her chest, a spark of attraction that she couldn’t quite ignore.
I chuckled, my eyes never leaving hers. “Okay, okay. If the doctor discharges me, I might just join you on campus,” I said, my voice laced with promise. “But there’s something else I need to tell you.” My heart skipped a beat as I paused, my mind racing with the weight of my words.
Alison’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, her brow furrowed in anticipation. “What is it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I took a deep breath, my mind made up. “I’ve decided not to live with my dad anymore,” I announced, a sense of liberation washing over me.
Allison’s eyes widened in surprise, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. “What? Why?” she asked, her voice laced with empathy. Her eyes searched mine, seeking answers to the unspoken questions that hung between us.
I shrugged, feeling a sense of freedom that I’d never experienced before. “I don’t think staying with him matters anymore,” I said, my voice firm. “I’m done with the drama, the stress. I’m ready to start fresh, to forge my own path.” My words felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, a sense of liberation that was both exhilarating and daunting.
Alison looked concerned, but I reassured her with a smile. “I’ve already found a place to stay,” I said, my voice filled with excitement. “I messaged Tyler, and he helped me find a sweet spot that’s affordable and has plenty of space.” My eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, and her face reflected my excitement.
“What about campus?” she asked, her brow furrowed in thought. Her eyes searched mine, seeking reassurance that I’d be okay.
I grinned, feeling carefree. “I’ll be living on campus during the semester, but when I’m not, I’ll be staying at my new place, practicing my art.”
“Your art?” she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
I chuckled, feeling lighthearted. “Yeah, my beautiful art,” I replied, my eyes locked onto hers, drinking in the warmth of her presence.
“Hold on. Do you draw?” she asked, her eyes widened in utter shock.
“Nah,” I responded, shaking my head. “I actually paint. You knew, right?”
“What?” she almost screamed. “Hell no! I never knew that!”
I chuckled wryly. “Well, because I never told anyone. I lacked motivation. Actually, I stopped painting after my parents’ divorce. It triggered me emotionally, and I’m still trying to cope.”
Allison’s face softened, and she reached out to touch the side of my face, her fingers tracing my jawline. “Don’t worry, I’m here for you,” she whispered. “I’ll support and help you in any way I can.”
I managed a brief smile, my eyes locking onto hers. “I know how you can support me,” I said, my voice low and husky.
“Go on, tell me,” she said, nodding her head, her gaze filled with concern.
“By giving me your heart always,” I replied, eliciting a frown and a light punch on my shoulder.
“Okay, I was just joking. Well, not entirely joking,” I chuckled, and she rolled her eyes. “In all seriousness, you can be my muse. I really need one right now, and I think you’re the perfect person.”
Allison’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Guess what?”
“What?” I asked, intrigued.
“I think you’ve grown into a man,” she said with a smile.
“Haven’t I been with you before?” I teased, raising a brow.
“That’s not what I mean!” she said, her brows furrowing.
“Oh, my bad. What do you mean, then?” I asked.
“I mean you’ve become more confident, wiser, and better.”
I raised an eyebrow, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. “Oh, really?”
She nodded, her eyes and full lips smiling. “Yeah, really.”
“In that case, come stay with me,” I said, patting the empty space beside me on the bed. “There’s room here.”
“No, I need to leave,” Allison said softly, standing up with her eyes fluttering.
“Allison, please don’t go,” I whispered, my hand brushing against hers as she stood up. Her eyes fluttered, and for a moment, I thought she’d pull away. But instead, she smiled, and my heart skipped a beat.
“Stay with me, at least till 10 PM,” I coaxed, my voice low and persuasive. “Your mom and my dad left us alone for a reason, didn’t they?”
Allison’s smile grew wider, and she teased, “Can you please shut up, Jayden?”
I grinned, my fingers tracing the curve of her waist. With a playful smack on her butt, I whispered, “Come on, lay down with me.”
Allison’s cheeks flushed, but she didn’t resist. She snuggled up beside me, and we faced each other, our eyes locked in a silent understanding.
As I gazed at her, I couldn’t help but notice the delicate curve of her nose, the softness of her lips. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt myself leaning in, drawn to her like a magnet.
“If you want to kiss me, just kiss me already,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I took a deep breath, my lungs burning with anticipation. And then, in a movement that felt almost inevitable, I leaned in, my lips capturing hers in a deep, hot kiss.