my own and I wish I could hold it for longer. But I can’t because this is Ari. I don’t want to make things awkward again. I don’t want her to shut me out when she’s finally letting me in.
She walks out the door and I stand there for a second taking it all in. Ari Cole is here. The girl I’ve always wanted but never knew how to get is in my house about to put on my pajamas. And I’m hoping this is just the beginning.
ARI COLE
I hang up on Mom then check myself in the mirror a second time. The pajamas are a little big on me but they’re warm, which makes them instantly better than what I was wearing. I didn’t realize how cold I was until the soft fabric enveloped me.
It’s strange how comfortable I feel here. My whole life, Kayden has been a pain in my ass, but right now, I’m enjoying spending time with him. Enjoying being here in his home. Wearing his ridiculous onesie while hanging out in his bathroom.
“You lost in there?” Kayden asks, knocking on the door. Of course he would interrupt any positive thought I have about him.
I open the door, “Maybe I just didn’t want to see you,” I joke. Then I take in his appearance. He’s wearing checkered sweatpants and a hoodie. He looks comfortable and ready for bed. His hair, which had dried, is wet again and sticking to his forehead.
He shakes his head. “More like you didn’t want me to see you wearing my onesie.”
“Are you saying I’d be embarrassed to let you see me wearing this?” I ask, posing like a superhero. “No shame here whatsoever,” I tell him.
He smiles and that puts butterflies in my stomach. It shouldn’t, but it does. “You can save me anytime you want.”
“I guess I owe you one,” I tell him.
He leans on the doorframe. “Are you finally admitting I saved you?”
“I mean, you tried. But I kind of saved myself,” I reply shrugging.
“Tell that to the girl who would’ve been walking around in her underwear the rest of the night.”
“Again, I blame you for that,” I say pointing at him.
“Let’s go downstairs and watch a movie. I made some hot chocolate for you.”
I look at him surprised. “Wait, did you just say you made hot chocolate?”
He nods.
“For me?”
“For us, don’t get all weird now,” he says with a chuckle.
He walks out of the bathroom and I do the same. “I’m sorry. It’s just strange.”
“What is?” he asks, heading down the stairs as I follow behind him.
“You being nice to me.”
“I’ve been nice to you before.”
“Yeah right,” I reply.
“I have been! I don’t hate you,” he says, turning to face me before we’ve fully descended.
“Could’ve fooled me. I swear you’ve hated me since the day I kicked you.”
He turns away and takes the last three steps. “I didn’t hate you.”
“Well, I hated you,” I tell him, speaking to his back.
“I know you did.”
“You deserved it.”
We reach the landing. “I killed your ladybug,” he says, going to the source of our problem.
“Yes, you did. That was mean.”
We head to the living room where the TV is on and two cups of hot cocoa rest on top of the coffee table. How much time did I spend in the bathroom? He got a lot done while I was there. “Smells delicious!” I tell him, gravitating toward the cups. “Can I just grab whichever?” I ask, ready to feel the warm liquid. It’s been a cold evening.
“Thank you!” I grab the hot chocolate and it tastes delicious.
“This is the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had.”
“Wow, big praise coming from you!” he says.
“Shut up,” I tell him, sitting down. I try to not let my mind read too much into tonight.
KAYDEN HARRISON
I grab my own cup of hot chocolate and take a seat next to her. I leave some space between us because I feel I need a barrier to keep my emotions at bay.
I’ve always liked her; I’ve always known that.
However, the more I get to know her—the more I see her argue with me—the more I realize that there’s more to it. More than just an attraction to her. It was a crush which spiraled into something stronger.
She’s always thought we were enemies, but they say the line between love and hate is pretty thin. I wish nothing more than to cross over to the other side with her.