Caiden had given me the liberty of of being the DJ again.

I'm not sure if it was him being nice, or if he actually liked my taste in music.

He turned the music down as we slowed in the traffic.

"So, what were you really upset about today?" He asked, a concern etched on his features.

I sigh.

"I feel like my life is just a total mess. And it just sorta hit me when I was in class. I needed a breather."

"Yeah I need a bit of breather too. Shits been pretty fucked up for me lately." He ran a shaky hand through his hair. "It just sorta feels like everything is moving too fast for me to keep up. Ya'know?"

"Yeah, exactly. It feels like your life is falling apart and you have no control over it."

He stared straight ahead, zoned out

"I'll help you figure your shit out and you help me. Deal?" He extended his hand.

"Deal." I replied after a few moments of thinking.

We shook hands and my fingers tingled as our skin touched.

What the hell has gotten into me?

This boy was driving me nuts.

And I was loving every second of it.

###

The room felt comfortable. The dark blue walls. The smell of laundry detergent and cologne.

I sat on the bed, the pillows and white comforter practically engulfing me.

Caiden sat in his desk chair.

The room was small and cramped. But it fit the two of us fine.

"So," he started. "What's going on in your life? Like why are you upset?"

"You sound like a therapist." I giggled.

"Oh just answer the question, I'm trying to help you." He rolled his eyes.

"Okay fine, I guess it started when my dad lost his job. It freaked me out. A lot. My mom doesn't have a job. My brother works part-time, and I didn't have a job. But I guess it's okay because he's got a somewhat steady job now. Then you and your dad moved in. Don't get me wrong, I'm not mad or anything. But it was a change. And I don't think I do good with change." I fiddled with my thumbs and shifted my gaze from the ceiling to Caiden.

"Yeah. It was a little hard for me too. I'm sorta happy that it happened though." A smile grazed his lips.

"Why?" I sat up on my elbows.

"Cause I get to see you everyday."

My face heated up and the butterflies in my stomach went crazy.

I flopped back down on the pillows and tried to cover my face.

"Seeing you just makes everything easier." He continued.

"Seeing you makes me feel better too." I added.

Was this really happening?

Were Caiden and I really telling each other how much we like being near each other?

"You're the one person I feel like I can tell everything to. It's like I can't help myself. I want to tell you everything. I don't really tell people about my mom and my brother. But all you had to do was ask and I told you everything."

"I love listening to you talk. No matter what you have to say." I admitted.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I wanna know everything you're thinking."

"Well you probably don't wanna know everything I'm thinking." He chuckled.

He was right. But I wasn't gonna let him know that.

"Oh yeah? Why wouldn't I want to know everything you're thinking?" I teased.

His cheeks reddened slightly.

"Just trust me, you don't."

"Why won't you tell me? It's just a simple question."

I was trying my best to pretend like I didn't know what he was talking about.

"Can we please just change the subject?" He pleaded.

"Just answer the question Caiden."

"No. It's a trap. I'm not gonna answer the question."

"What do you mean it's a trap?"

"You're gonna make me say something that I don't wanna tell you."

"But you said that I'm the person you'll tell everything to."

"Everything has limits. And I don't wanna talk about this anymore."

I sigh and rolled over on my side. I propped up on my elbow, and realized that my shirt had risen in the process, exposing more of my stomach.

Caiden's eyes locked on my mid section as I adjusted my clothes.

When he realized I caught him, his eyes snapped up the meet mine. The tips of his ears tinted pink.

"Is your brother home?" He asked.

"Uh," I thought. "Um I'm pretty sure he's at work. Why?"

"It just seems way to quiet. A house with six people living in it shouldn't be this empty." He stated.

"Yeah it's pretty quiet. But I think my mom is out with her friends."

He nodded.

"Can I ask you a question?" I muttered.

"Uh, yeah I guess."

"Wh-why did you kiss me the other night. Or do you even remember?"

His face turned pink once again.

"I, yeah I remember."

I was hurt. If he remembered then why hadn't he said anything about it.

It's like he tried me and then decided he didn't like it and moved on.

"Then why'd you do it? And why didn't you say anything about it?"

"I was drunk and wasn't thinking straight, and I wanted to kiss you. So I did. And the you ran away from me. So I didn't say anything about it, because you obviously didn't like it. But why did you kiss me?"

"I kissed you because I wanted to too." I admitted, trying to avoid eye contact. "And because I like you."

"You like me?" His eyes widened.

I was embarrassed. I just told him I liked him, and he probably doesn't even remotely like me back.

"I like you too."

"What?"

"I like you Ashlyn."

I stood up, walking over to him.

"I like you Caiden."

I straddled his lap, my arms wrapped around his neck. His fingers lightly grazed my waist.

Just as I was about to fill the gap between us, my phone rang.

A/N: Please don't come for me. And please don't hate me. They've finally told each other how they feel.

~Grace🍒