Inspired by OneRepublic's "Kids".

-

I was staring at the ceiling one early morning in June. My eyes were following random patterns on the slightly uneven ceiling as I laid under a thin blanket in my bed. I was too preoccupied with my thoughts to sleep, even though I was fighting my hardest to keep them at bay.

I wasn't quite sure what time it was, besides the fact that it was early. I had just about no concept of time at night. Minutes sometimes felt like hours, yet hours sometimes felt like minutes. That's I wasn't sure how long I had been awake, and why I wasn't completely sure when the sound of something caught my attention.

It sounded like someone was lightly knocking on my window, but when I looked up, I was happy to see know one there. I stared at the window for another moment, and soon enough, the sound started up again. I was about to ignore it when I realized what the sound was coming from, then before connecting it to the only person that would be doing that.

I threw the blankets off of myself, then quietly walked to the window. I opened it enough to look out, and smiled to myself when I saw the tall blonde.

"Scott?"

"Hey, Mitchy."

"What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to steal you away."

"Again? You just had me sneak out a few days ago."

"So?"

"So? I'm gonna get caught one of these times."

"Well you haven't yet."

"I'm not going out."

"Come on, I drove all the way here for you."

"Yeah, all about 5 minutes."

"Please?" I finally looked over my shoulder at the small clock next to my bed. I stared at it a moment, before looking back to him.

"Its 2am."

"I know."

"I need to rest. Finals are tomorrow morning, and I don't wanna look like a zombie. And I need to do good. I'm gonna be a senior next year."

"You'll only get a few hours of rest anyways. Were you even asleep?"

"No, but I--"

"I have the truck," he said, interrupting me. "Come down here. For me?"

I rolled my eyes and barely shook my head before closing the old window. As I closed it, I watched Scott stay in the exact same position. I walked across my room, then almost laid back down on my bed. However, I glanced back at the window, and sighed, my initial decision slowly starting to change.

I quickly went to my closet and threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before putting on my shoes. I grabbed a beanie and positioned it on my head as I quietly opened my bedroom door. I tiptoed down the hallway, then down the stairs, scared of making the smallest sound. I could only imagine how upset my parents would be if they caught me. I unlocked the door so I could make it in the house later, then quietly stepped out of the house. I walked a few feet into the yard, then came across the blonde. He was still staring up at my window and I chuckled to myself.

"I'm gonna tell my parents to get rid of all the rocks in our front yard." He finally turned to face me, and a smile spread across his face. "I'm here, you dork, let's go."

He finally turned then ran back to me. He pulled the keys out of his pocket, and went over to the other side of the truck. I climbed in on the passenger side, careful not to slam the door shut. He repeated the action, and within a minute or so, we were driving away from my house.

As we drove, I rested my head on the window, watching as the city lights grew to be brighter and brighter, then eventually start getting dimmer. It was about half an hour later, and practically pitch black outside when Scott parked his truck. We opened the doors at the same time, then stepped out onto the dew covered grass. He fumbled around in the truck before closing his door, then walking around to the back. He threw a few blankets back there before hoisting himself up. He crawled around in the bed of the truck before resting his back against the cab. He looked expectantly over at me.

"Are you going to join me?"

"No." His face dropped a bit before I smiled. "I'm kidding."

I walked over to the truck, then carefully climbed up into the back of the truck. Scott moved over a bit, leaving me some room. He patted the spot next to him. I moved towards him, then sat by him, back against the cab, our legs and shoulders barely an inch apart. I was glad he remembered to bring blankets, the nights here still got somewhat cool. Once I was comfortable, I turned my attention to him, but his was on the view in front of us. So I copied him.

He loved this spot, and in return, I did too. We were up on a bit of a hill, a few miles outside of the city. Part of the city was visible, but that's not what he was interested in. He loved the city lights, and sitting up here, watching them all night. He loved the glow of them against the dark blue sky. He loved that it could be the busiest night of the year for the city, yet every sound was muffled up here. I wondered how long it would take him to mention them, and the question was answered a few minutes.

"I'm gonna miss the city lights," he admitted.

"I know you will."

"Yeah, they just represent home, you know?"

"Yeah."

"Will you miss them?"

"I'll have another year with them," I said, quite unsure of how to answer his question. I wouldn't miss them completely as I did have another year with them. But I would. They reminded me of him. And it was obvious that I would miss him. "Are you ready to go?" I asked.

"Yes and no. I'm kind of ready to get up and out of this city. But I'll miss you."

"I'll be with you sooner than later. Be excited, you finally have an out."

"Yeah, I suppose."

"You seem nervous."

"I've just been spending a bunch of my time second guessing myself, and I don't like it."

"Talk to me, please."

"An out is right in front of me," he spoke. "But I'm scared. Maybe this suddenly isn't right. Maybe I shouldn't do this."

"You should go. You have to go. You've been talking about this forever. You've always wanted to leave. This is your chance."

"But I don't know what's around the corner. I don't know what to expect."

"As long as we're admitting things... I guess I'm kind of scared too."

That finally got his attention. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him turn and face me. "Scared of what."

"I'm scared we'll change."

"We'll change?"

"Or one of us will. Something will happen and we won't be the same whenever we see each other again. You'll probably end up being some big pop star by the time I get there. If that happens, maybe I won't see you again for awhile."

We remained silent for what seemed like forever. Scott and I had been friends forever, yet conversations seemed to be more tense between us. We both knew it was all because of what was occurring soon, yet it didn't help us. I wish this wasn't happening to us, but he made up his mind, and it was impossible to change now.

Something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. It was Scott, slowly moving his hand. He carefully reached over and placed his hand on my thigh, just above my knee. He squeezed it gently.

"You're my best friend, Mitch."

I glanced down at his hand, then found myself slowly reaching for it. I set my hand on top of his, and a moment later he was lifting his up just enough to intertwine our fingers.

"You're my best friend too."

"Just remember that. Okay? That's one thing that won't change. I promise."

"Even when you're famous?"

"If I become famous, yes."

"Even when you're touring nonstop?"

"Yes. You really have high hopes for me. You know that, right?"

"I know you'll do great. And that's why you have to go."

"Only if you follow me there."

"Of course." We took a break from our conversation to stare at the sky again. "I really have to stop sneaking out so much," I spoke after awhile.

"I'll be gone soon," he said plainly. "You won't need to then."

"I know I always say I hate to do it, but if you stayed here for another year, I would keep doing it." I turned to face him, and found a light smile on his face. "I'll even make you a deal right now." He turned to look at me as I continued. "You're going in a month. For the last week, I'll sneak out every night."

"You really don't have to do that."

"I will though. I love spending time with you."

"I do too. I guess as long as we're on the topic, do you want to go back now?"

"What time is it?"

"Just past 3."

"We can stay for another hour or--" I cut myself off by yawning, the lack of sleep finally catching up to me.

"Oh, so now you're tired," he sassed.

"Shut up."

"Don't fall asleep on me." I smirked, then let my head fall against his shoulder. I could feel him chuckling lightly, and then his arm wrapping around my shoulder. I shivered a bit while up against him, and immediately caught it. "Are you cold too?"

"A little."

"Want my sweatshirt?"

"If I get some Scott cuddles, I won't need it."

He smirked, then moved so his back was now laying against the bed of the truck. He put his arm out to the side, inviting me close. I laid down next to him, on my side, and his arm soon made its way around my waist. I set my head on his chest, then continued to push closer.

"Damn, you are cold," he noted once I put my hands on him.

"Shut up," I scolded again.

"Get closer to me."

"I can't. I'd have to be on top of you."

"You wanna lay up here?"

"I'm not gay, Scott."

"Okay. Then platonically get your ass up here." I giggled lightly, then pulled away from him. I sat up then moved until I was hovering over him. I smiled down at him, and positioned myself between his legs before carefully laying on top of him. He immediately wrapped his arms around me as I set my head back on his chest.

"Mm, your warm."

"I'm glad you think so."

We grew silent again, and it became so much more comfortable than it was minutes earlier. His chest began to rise and fall in a steady rhythm, and I found my breathing copying the slow pace. Eventually I began growing more and more tired, and it became impossible to fight off.

"Love you," I murmured.

"I love you too."

-

I wasn't sure when I fell asleep last night.

I was even more unsure of myself when I woke up in my own bed. It took me a few seconds to realize where I had been last night, or this morning, then a few more to realize that Scott must have brought me home. How he managed to carry me in the house and not wake anyone else up was completely beyond me.

I sat up in the bed, then took the blankets off of myself. I noticed was still in my clothes from a few hours ago. Of course he didn't go that far to make sure I was comfortable, I might have slapped him if he did. Light slowly started to seep through the uncovered window, and I smiled lightly, further remembering the night.

I finally decided to get myself out of my bed, and I was glad to find out that it was still early enough to have time to get ready for the day. As I checked the time, I noticed a little piece of paper laying in front of it. I grabbed it, unfolded it, then instantly recognized the handwriting that took up a small part of the sheet.

Good luck with finals this morning, I believe in you. I'll pick you up after schools done.

xo

p.s. you were cute. Clingy, but cute.