Chapter 3
A chime on my phone had me reaching blindly, only half awake, for the offending gadget. I tried to process who it could be waking me up, no one but my parents knew my number. Wiping the sleep from my eyes the clock showed 8am, I saw the contact information and remembered the past several days. A smile stretched my face as I opened the message.
< Good morning. Did you sleep well?
>I guess I did. I'm usually up before now.
<I'm sorry, it was not my intention to wake you.
>It's ok, I should get up anyway. How is your morning?
<Pretty good. I wanted to check in with you. How are you feeling about yesterday?
I thought it over for a moment before I answered. Last night I hadn't wanted our time together to end, had the dawn of a new day changed how I felt? Nope.
>I had lots of fun, I'm glad we got to know each other better. What about you?
Anxiety gripped me as I awaited his answer. What if he changed his mind, and why was I so worried? I'd been alone my whole life, but my stomach knotted at the thought that he wouldn't want to see me again.
<I had fun too. I have found myself missing you this morning. I understand if you would like some time to yourself, but I have no plans today so please feel free to let me know if you would like to get together again, or even just talk.
My heart leapt in my chest. "He misses me!" Then the realization hit. "Oh...I miss him too!" I whispered quietly to my room, unsure at how fast my feelings were changing, how my favored solitude didn't seem so nice now. But I wanted to see him again!
>I think...I miss you too. I don't want to spend today alone. Did you have something in mind?
<How about you pack that bag of yours and dress in something comfortable. I'll pick you up in half an hour. It'll be a surprise!
>uhh...ok.
I quickly dressed and checked that my bag was still full from yesterday. Luckily my parents were gone again, I didn't want to explain and they were already confused about my going out on a weekend. I spent the rest of my wait running through ideas of where we were going to go and what we were going to do. I was still at a loss when I locked up the house and got in his car.
A short drive led us to a small park in a wooded area of town. "If you would follow me." he said with a short bow that made me laugh. Reaching for his hand I let him lead me down a small path that didn't seem to get much use. The trees started to thin and light filtered through to reveal a stream that meandered past a fallen log which provided a convenient seat.
"What do you think?"
The sounds of the water passing and the numerous animals that called this place home surrounded me. "It's beautiful." I said as I looked up at him in awe.
He gestured to the log and we both took a seat. His arm wrapped around me and pulled me into his side. My arm found its place along his back as I snuggled into him, surprised by the ease of the motion. "I found this place the first month after I moved. I don't think anyone else knows it's here."
"Mmmm, it's so peaceful...I love it." I sighed.
His fingers began to play softly up and down my arm, "I was hoping you would. I was always alone when I came here, this is so much better."
We sat in comfortable silence for a while until a squirrel decided to check us out. It cocked its head to the side and made me giggle, which of course scared it away.
"What are you thinking about?" I asked Mr. Ronis quietly after the squirrel was out of sight.
There was a long pause before he answered, "I was thinking about how sweet your laughter is, and that I'm so lucky to have the chance to know you."
I sat up and turned to look him in the eyes, "Really, why?"
"Yes really, because you are an amazing person and the more I learn about you the more I want to hear." He cupped my cheek gently and I leaned into his hand.
"Why does this all feel so right?" My eyes dropped to my lap. "Ever since my birthday it feels like my days revolve around spending time with you. This stuff doesn't happen so fast in real life, does it?"
He pulled me into a hug, "I don't know, Avem. But I'm glad to hear you say that, because I thought I might be losing my mind. I never guessed that someone could become so integral to my life so quickly. I didn't want to scare you by saying anything yet, because you told me you've never dated, but the idea of not seeing you today just about crushed me." With a hand on either side of my face he stared into my eyes. "Just promise me you won't let that stop you from getting space if you need it. I don't want you to ever feel overwhelmed and not tell me. Promise?"
"Yes, Sir, I promise."
"Good." His lips pressed lightly to mine before he pulled back again. "I need for you to always tell me if anything makes you uncomfortable. Remember that I'm new to this too, I've never gotten past a second date." His eyes glinted with mirth, "I must say I'm glad I held out, you put them all to shame."
I tried to hide my blush by hugging him with my head on his chest. I felt the rumble of his chuckles and he started running his fingers through my hair and down my back. Goosebumps rose from my skin at the feel of his hands and I basked in his affection.
My voice barely audible from within his arms, "Tell me more about your family."
And so the morning passed into afternoon as he regaled me with stories about his parents and sister. There were funny stories from the hospital, romantic gestures that showcased how in love they still were. Then there was the inevitable sibling rivalry tales, and the bruises he got when he tried to stop a guy who didn't take her 'no' as an answer. All the while he continued to hold me and run his hand from my hair down my back, never going so low as to be considered inappropriate.
By the time he was finished my cheeks were damp from the few tears that had escaped me. When he noticed he dried my face and gave me a concerned look, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just...you love your family." I laughed sardonically. "I don't know what that's like." A few more tears pushed past my control.
"Oh, sweetheart." He stood with me still in his arms. "I don't know what's wrong with those parents of yours. I'm so sorry."
"Please don't be sorry, I loved hearing your stories." I sniffled. "I'm glad I got to hear them."
"Ok, Avem, how about we go get dinner. We never did break out your snacks, did we? I'm starving."
I immediately smiled, "Yeah, that sounds good. My stomach might start telling its own stories soon."
He laughed with me as we made our way back to the car. He gave me another quick kiss before opening my door for me and I was on cloud 9. "How do milkshakes sound?" he asked as we pulled onto the road.
"As long as there is a mountain of whipped cream on top." I said, bouncing excitedly in my seat.
"I think that's doable." he laughed and steered us toward the restaurant.
We ate burgers and fries with chocolate milkshakes that did indeed have mountains of whipped cream! He kept me laughing for the rest of the evening telling me about his school years and roommate John.
In the car, we were headed back to my house when he asked, "Will you be coming to the library tomorrow? Because I can pick you up on my way in if you would like."
"Yes please, it's not like I have anything else to do." I smiled.
"Alright, I'll be here at 9:15 then." He walked me to the door again and kissed me goodnight.
When I walked inside my parents looked surprised to see me. "Where were you?" my dad asked.
"I spent the day at the park. Goodnight." I walked right past them and to my room. I showered, set an alarm for the morning and got into bed.
~
And so the next week passed. Each morning Mr. Ronis would pick me up on his way to work and I would help him get the library ready to open. Then I would read while he worked, with a few conversations when it was slow. Once he locked the doors I would help him put the books away while we chatted some more, then he would walk me to his car with his arm around me and kiss me goodnight at my door.
I was seriously getting hooked on the times when he touched me. And we spent so much time talking each day that I felt like we knew each other pretty well now and I didn't want it to stop."
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Pub: 18 Jul 2021 11:24 UTC
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