"Aurora, EJ's here!"

I lept out of bed as soon as my mom's voice rang through the house; it had been a couple of weeks since we got together and a couple of days since I'd last seen him.

He and his dad went on a trip to tour college campus', and even though they were barely gone a week, I missed EJ more than anything. It was weird going from seeing him every day to not seeing him for a few days, though I guess it's something I will have to get used to once he chooses which school he wants to go to.

I'd hoped EJ would be waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, ready for me to jump into his arms; but when I got down there, he was nowhere to be seen, "he's in the kitchen," Mom nodded her head in the direction he went in, "Bella wanted to show him something."

I laughed slightly, nodding my head in understanding. Although my little was over the moon that the two of us were dating, she could also be pretty possessive of EJ, who she'd claimed as her new big brother. He had been handling it like a champ, dressing up for tea parties, reading her stories before we went out at night, and if I could tell he'd rather be alone, he never said no to Bella when she wanted to do something with us. I was usually the one who had to...

I placed my hand over my mouth as I entered the kitchen, careful that EJ didn't hear the giggles that so badly wanted to escape my lips. Bella had our kitchen table decorated for tea, with all of her stuffed animals and EJ sitting with her; all dressed up, EJ wore a paper crown that she made him, pretending to sip out of an extremely tiny teacup.

He looked ridiculous, yet also adorable, "Wow, B," I smiled, walking up behind EJ; he turned to look at me, his eyes lighting up, I think if my little sister weren't in the room, he'd probably pull me into his arms, but we didn't really do PDA, "this is one fancy tea party."

She smiled at me, showing off where she'd lost some teeth, "It's Mr. Monkeys' birthday." She informed me, nodding to the stuffed animal that I now noticed was on EJ's lap.

"I see," I nod, running my fingers through her hair, "do you mind if I steal EJ for a little bit?" I ask her, "tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, maybe we can reschedule the tea party to then? EJ can take us to the park?"

I hated taking him away from her, but I also really wanted to spend time with my boyfriend, who I hadn't seen in days, "Okay," Bella nods; she doesn't seem upset in the slightest, "do you think Ashlyn can come too?"

"I'll message her," EJ answers, carefully placing the stuffed monkey on the chair, "and I'll make sure I wear my tea party best," He gestures to his jeans and t-shirt, I hadn't noticed until now the drops of water on his shirt, it'd been raining all day.

"Good," Bella nods, satisfied, "I'll make more paper crowns," She decided, shooting us both a wave as she ran out of the kitchen and back upstairs, leaving her mess of stuffed animals and plastic teacups for my parents to clean up.

"Finally," EJ sighed, wrapping his arms around my waist once Bella was gone, pulling me into his arms, "I love your little sister, but I've been waiting to do this all week."

He kissed me before I could say anything; it's just a quick one, though, in case my family comes into the room, "I missed that too," I mumble, smiling up at him.

"Did you miss me too?" He asks, a teasing smile on his lips, "or just the kisses?"

I pretend I have to think about it, causing EJ to playfully gasp, faking hurt, "I'm sure my family is relieved you're back; I talked about you a lot." I admit to him, I didn't mean to, but it turns all of my best stories just so happen to involve EJ, "so, what are we doing today?"

EJ and I had are traditional things we liked to do; we still went for late-night drives, and even though school is off for summer break, we go get coffee together most mornings, "We could watch a movie? Or play a game?" He offers, his gaze moving over to the backdoors in the kitchen; the rain hadn't slowed down in the slightest.

I move my hand, interlocking it with his, "Or..." I sang, "We could go to our spot? Watch the rain?" I suggest tilting my head to the side. I could tell EJ was hesitant, "come on," I pout at him, "it'll be fun; don't people always say the rain is romantic?"

EJ sighs, giving in, "I'm only doing this cause I lo-"He abruptly pauses, "cause your puppy dog eyes are very convincing." He corrects himself; for a split second there, I thought he was going to say something else... I must have been hearing things.

We make our way into the car, EJ driving us to the lookout spot he took me to that night during spring break, we came here pretty frequently, and even if we've seen the view dozens of times now, we still loved it here. I think we both just enjoyed how at peace we felt when we were here like we're the only two people in the world.

Once EJ's put the car in park, he reaches his hand over, making a grabby hand motion; signaling to me that he wants to hold my hand; I don't hesitate to grab his hand, tracing patterns on it as the rain patters against the windows.

We stay silent for a little while, both enjoying each other's presence and the sound of the rain, "EJ," I mumble his name, leaning my cheek against my seat, so I'm looking at him; EJ copies my actions, humming in response, "do you wanna dance with me?" I ask him out of the blue, it sounds weird, but all I wanted at this moment was for EJ to hold me.

"I, uh, y-yeah," he finally nods, stuttering slightly, "we don't have any music, though."

I hold my phone up, "I've got it covered." I reassure him, pressing play on a random slow song; I get out of the car, instantly getting wet from the rain, securely placing my phone in my jacket pocket, safe from the rain.

I stand in front of the car, holding my hand out to EJ, who shuffles out after me, placing his hand in mine; my other hand finds its place on his shoulder, as his hand securely wraps around my waist, pulling me close. "I thought you hated slow dancing," He mumbled, the two of us swaying back and forth, "aren't you the girl who told me you found it boring?"

"Someone once told me that slow dancing isn't boring if it's with the right person," I shrug, quoting his words from valentine's day when my little sister forced us to slow dance together. I had been borderline disgusted by EJ at that point; it was crazy how much had changed in such a short amount of time, "I think I found him."

EJ nods, a grin making its way onto his face, his hair falling out of its usual quiff, and onto his forehead, due to the rain, "wow, he seems pretty wise."

I move my hand from his shoulder to brush his wet hair to the side, "he's not as smart as his girlfriend, but he tries." I shrug, smiling at him teasingly; EJ shakes his head in amusement, pulling me closer; I lay my head on his chest, my curls which are now soaking wet, wetting his t-shirt even more.

Another song starts playing, and we're still dancing, "Aurora," He mumbles my name; I look back up at him, "I..." He pauses, unsure how to say what he wants to say.

"Just say it," I whisper, nodding at him reassuringly.

"I love you." He blurts out, letting out a breath; I open my mouth to reply, but he continues, "and I know it's really soon, but I think I've loved you since we were kids when you used to think boys were gross and had cooties. I love how you are fiercely loyal and will do anything to protect your friends; I love it when you laugh so hard you snort, which only makes you laugh harder... I love everything about you, and I totally get if this is too soon, and you can't say it back yet, but I-"

I loved when EJ would get so nervous he'd begin to ramble, mainly because it gave me an excuse to use my favorite method of cutting him off. I cup his cheek, crashing my lips against his; EJ hums in shock, kissing me back, "I love you too," I mumble once we've pulled apart, leaning my forehead against his; love is a really strong word and not one I throw around to just anyone; but it felt right with EJ, I loved him.

EJ wore the biggest smile I've ever seen on him; we were drenched at this point, the rain not slowing down in the slightest, but it didn't matter either of us. "It's always been you, Aurora Garcia," He admits, placing another kiss on my lips, "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it."

I shrug, we can't change the past, and honestly, I don't know if I'd want to; I'm the person I am today because of it, and EJ and I found our way back to each other one way or another in the end, even if I had been a little stubborn at first. "It's okay," I reassure him, placing my head on his chest, "thanks for not giving up on me, Caswell."

"Anything for you, Garcia."

And that's it... the final chapter of Wildest Dreams.
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