Chapter 18: Chapter 18

“I can’t believe my baby is all so grown up going for parties and sleepovers.” Mom watching me rummage my closet for something to wear. I still can’t believe he came to ask for permission to take me to a bonfire party and a sleepover at his place. Is he doing this for my sake or he enjoys my company and love been with me. I can’t really tell when it comes to Austin. I wish he can talk to me than to keep me in the dark always. What do he want? Does he want me or not because this indecision is taking a toll on me? One minute I feel like we are dating and the next, it seems we are just friends. I’m trying really hard here to understand him.

“What will you wear?” she asks excitedly.

“It’s not a date mom, we hanging out like any other day. As friends.” I say pointedly. She laughs in a way that makes you rethink your sentence. Recently, I found out she have a soft spot for him and wants us together. Playing the idea every day in my head. If only she knows how direly I want to have that wish.

“You’ll be a fool if you don’t notice the way that boy looks at you. He adores you honey.” I wish you are right mom, I sigh.

“I’ll be with your father in the den, I think he’s still sulking about going out with that boy and sleeping over.”

“Nothing is going to happen mom. Nothing.” She laughs coming over to kiss me and leaves. I sigh facing my closet. “Now what to wear for a bonfire.” Hands on my hips I stood looking at the racks of clothes in front of me. “That one.” I smile plucking it out of its hanger throwing it on my bed. Time to get ready.

“Bye mom, bye dad. Love you.” I kiss them.

“If he tries anything I’ll kill him.” He frowns.

“I’m sure he knows dad, I love you.” I smile walking out the door.

“Wow.” I smirk watching Austin gaze caress me with a pleasant sigh.

“Like it?” I twirl smiling.

“Love it.” He replies smirking throwing me a wink stretching a hand to me.

“Well thank you, kind sir.” I took mine in his walking to his car. He opens the door smirking, I made a face which he laughs closing the door behind me hopping to his side in excitement.

“I’m glad your dad let you come with me, I was scared when I came to see him earlier.” I throw my head back laughing. “Yeah.” he smiles. “I didn’t want to miss hanging out with you and I know you’ll love it at the beach.”

"You should thank my mom for that. It was all her scheme, I think she's a fan."

"Oh yeah." oh brother, I groan internally shooting myself for inflating his ego. "Well I do tend to attract the ladies. I mean look at Me..." his hand motion his body now running his fingers through his hair biting his lips in a sexy way, finally giving a smouldering pose. "...definition of a god. Hence the ladies magnet."

I roll my eyes cursing myself at his cockiness. "Pray tell, do your brain explodes from all that arrogance or it just gives you a blind eye." he smirks devilishly.

"Don't hate Snoopy." I've had it here. Punching him which he flinches chuckling heartily that grew a faint smile on my face.

He starts the car turning on the stereo Tpain, 5’o clock began playing. Our eyes look at the stereo weirdly before we burst out laughing so hard.

“This is the worst timing for this song.” I say in between laughs.

“Tell me about it.” He replies as we both laugh.

“I love the song though.” I muse buckling up.

“Girl I gotcha, girl I gotcha.” He sings along with the stereo and he didn’t stop there, he sang the song line in line and I was surprised to say the least but then I got over it and joined in singing along with him. It was funny how he tried to mimic Tpain voice, I kept laughing missing my tune. By the time the song came to an end, we were already at the beach.

“Your voice sucks Snoopy.” he chastises playfully.

“That’s not true. I kept laughing because of your horrible impersonation of Tpain voice.” He smiles walking over to my side.

“We will see about that. Come, the party is on full swing, let’s go.” He pulls me with him down the already lit bonfire, a crowd of familiar faces of the school students, some playing beach volley at one side and others talking or dancing to the music playing. This looks fun.

“Bestie!!!” She lunges at me making me almost lose a footing that would have cost a fall. “You came.” She smiles looking towards Austin who left to greet his friends. “I guess I should have to thank a certain boy.” She wiggles her brows smiling. “I like this new you all thanks to Austin.”

Blushing I look at him smirking at what his teammate is saying, thanks to the fire, he spots

this five o clock shadow making him look sexy. I guess I can say we are both changing each other in ways we do not understand. The normal Austin will be brooding with a beer in hand and a girl at his side flirting and the normal me will be home reading a book not with the famous bad boy at a bonfire.

His eyes meet mine, I didn’t want to look away but I knew I am blushing furiously watching him watch me. He smirks not taking his eyes off me as he talks to his friends. What is this boy doing to me? We are in a lock gaze, blocking everyone out of the bubble we created as our focus is solely on each other. The wind blows, I bit my lips brushing my hair aside.

“If you both kiss each other I’m going to puke.” I blink shyly watching him again, he winks smirking. “I think I’m going to be sick.” She fakes a puking sound, I laugh. “Let’s go have fun than watching that horrible episode of titanic reunion.” I roll my eyes following her.

Taking me to the dance floor right in the middle of the bonfire, she hands me a solo cup gulping from it and I follow suit cringing at whatever it is I drank. She started dancing and laughing, the drink hit me, I felt loose, and slowly my body dance to the beat of the music. Bailey throw her hands in the air dancing in front of me, I laugh, my eyes close licking my lips, I dance loving the beauty of the cool breeze against my skin and soft sand under my feet, the way my hair blow with the wind, and I see him. Even with my eyes close, I can see Austin, his beautiful face, his smooth sexy voice, he eyes looking into mine, and I dance imagining his arms wrapped around my waist as we dance. I wish he’s here with me and not far away. I wish to smell his cologne, to touch his hands, to make him smile, to feel free like we do when we are alone. I gasp.

My eyes snap open to a hand gripping my waist softly yet possessively. I know that touch that tingle; I look up and my eyes meet his. “Austin.” I call in a soft whisper. What is he doing? Everyone will see this. I try pulling away due to my system doing summersaults for different reasons.

“Shh dance with me Snoopy.” He responds pulling me closer to him almost in a hug. This is bad but feels so good. I inhale his fresh cologne feeling his hand caress my back slowly knowing how tensed I am right now with the eyes on us.

“I missed you.” I smile resting my head on his broad chest wrapping my arms round his waist. The song changes to a slow tune, slowly we move in harmony. I close my eyes not wanting to see the judging and prying eyes that will be on us now.

“I love you Austin.” I wanted to say in return. Instead I hug him tighter, inhaling his sweet manly scent enjoying this moment as we dance together into the night. The burning wood cackling, water hitting boulders, and the wind dancing with us in delight. My heart that was beating so fast calmly slowed, goosebumps crawl on my skin not because I’m cold but the intimacy of our dance. Enveloping me in his strong arms has the butterflies fluttering in my belly. I smile.

What are you doing to me Austin?