Chapter 16

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Chapter 16

Ella's POV:

This weekend has been so boring, no exaggeration needed, and that's very strange, coming from me. Usually, the weekends are like my jam, but not this one. I enjoy being by myself, actually. I thrive off it, really, but it's hard to go about my normal routine when a certain boy is clouding my mind.

I've been watching Netflix for I don't know how long and I don't even know what's going on in my shows. My concentration is elsewhere. Every time I close my eyes, green ones light my vision watching me. Almost like I'm in some trance.

Then when I see that smile, his smile, even if it's just in my mind, my skin chills shrouding with goosebumps. Why he unfailingly takes over my thoughts is still a mystery to me.

For a moment, I have to pause my show so I can take a minute to focus my racing mind. Now I'm going to have to find the scene I was last paying attention to, how inconvenient. Is it horrible that I actually want to go to school for the first time ever? Not because I like school, but because I want to see him.

My phone vibrates on my nightstand next to my bed. Nobody ever texts me. Well, my mom's an exception to that. So I hurry to pick up my phone to see who it is.

It's from Declan. 'I miss you.'

I stare at the words for what feels like forever when, in reality, it's probably only been two minutes. Am I delusional? Am I reading them right? Does that really say what I think it says? Again I read over the words for like the thousandths time. Still, they say the same thing.

Is my mind messing with me? The words are there. They are real.

Declan said he misses me. Does that mean he wants to see me? What am I even supposed to say back? My mind is racing, my hands are sweating, and my heart feels like it's going to explode. He really just said he misses me.

My hand hovers over the keyboard. I go to type, but I don't know what to say. After about five minutes of sitting and debating what to say, I just type. 'Me too.'

After I sent it, I regret it. I should have said 'I miss you too' not just 'me too.' I'm so stupid.

Placing my head in my hands, I try to calm my thumping heart. The pulse is legit felt through my whole body. That's how nervous I am.

After about two minutes, my phone beeps. I wait a couple of nervous minutes, then look at the awaiting text message.

'Good, I'll pick you up in five.'

Oh my goodness, he's picking me up. I haven't showered, and my hair isn't brushed, and, not to mention, I'm in sweatpants.

The next thing I know, the doorbell rings, and I'm not even ready. What happened to five minutes? That's what I get for waiting to open the message.

From my room, I can hear my mom open the door. "Ella sweetheart, you have a visitor." She calls.

With that, I'm running to my closet, not wasting another minute. "Okay, I'll be right down," I yell back.

"You can go right up, honey." I hear her say.

No, no, no. Why did she say that? I need to get ready before he sees me. The part is, his response, "Thank you, ma'am." He says politely with his boyish charm.

As I dig through my dresser like it's the end of the world, I hear the footsteps coming up the stairs. My bedroom door creaks open a moment later, and still, I'm struggling.

Having no more time to waste, I grab a random white shirt. Just as I go to grab the first pair of jeans I see, two hands plant on my waist, and after a moment, they spin me around.

A current of heat plummets my skin, my cheeks flare, not only from his touch but from the fact that I look atrocious.

He leans in, his hot breath tingling my neck, "I'm glad you missed me."

He then takes a piece of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. Did I mention that I was hot before? Well, let me tell you, I'm on legit fire. Like so hot, I might melt any second.

"No need to be shy, Lil' one." He whispers.

"I-I'm no-not," I stutter, squirming under his heated gaze. We're so close, possibly breathing the same air.

He chuckles, "No?" He pauses, "Your reaction tells me something completely different."

I peer down, not knowing how to react. He makes my stutter even more ridiculous sounding when he's around.

He gently presses two fingers under my chin, tilting it up, "Eyes up here. I love seeing the effect I have on you."

I swear I begin to squirm; he notices too. The grin on his plush lips is proof. "Are you ready to go?" He then asks, dropping his fingers.

I glance down at my unattractive outfit. I haven't even changed. "Looking like this?" I mutter.

He does the same, looking at my outfit. "Yeah." He responds.

"But I look gross." I blurt, feeling so self-conscious.

Once again, he grabs my chin, tilting it so my full attention is on him. "You look beautiful in anything you wear, Ellie," He pauses for a second, "There's not one piece of you that is ugly, understand?"

I'm at a loss for words; he thinks I'm beautiful? How can he think that?

A single tear falls, and for some reason, I'm suddenly emotional. Declan takes his thumb and rubs the tear away. He then takes my hand and leads me down the stairs and out to his vehicle, not giving me the option to change.

I have no idea where we're going, but I can't bring myself to ask, still stunned by what Declan said.

*

We have been driving for a little over an hour. The low buzz of the radio is heard in the background, along with the rumble of the engine. Most of the drive has had the same pine tree scenery. Not that I'm complaining, I love the woods. Well, when I don't have bad dreams about them.

"Why are you so quiet?" Declan breaks the comfortable silence.

I fold my hands on my lap. "I don't know, just thinking I guess."

He nods in understanding; he must be doing the same thing. Still not knowing where we are going, I decided to ask now, a bit curious. "Where are we going?"

Declan turns his head slightly, his green orbs the color of the trees outside, a grin set onto his lips. "You'll see when we get there."

A small smile makes its way to my own lips, "Fine." I scuff playfully, peering back out the window.

"Are you giving me attitude, Lil' one?" Declan insinuates.

I glanced over at him, wondering if I heard him right. I know he can be unpredictable at times, but I wasn't expecting him to say that.

"W-what no," I rush out, a blush creeping up my neck and searing my cheeks.

Declan notices my blush as he gives me a sideways glance. He then reaches over the center council and puts his hand that he's not using to drive on my thigh. Taking his attention off the road for just a second, he turns his head to me. "You most definitely were."

I look down at his hand on my thigh, the spot is literally tingling. If I get any hotter I might just start dripping sweat.

Declan, on the other hand, has amusement plastered all over his gorgeous face, completely unfazed that his hand is on my thigh. Almost like it's natural, and here I am, squirming like a child.

Bringing my attention back to the window, I try to forget about Declan's hand. Let's just say that's harder said than done. I think he's decided to give me a break since he's not teasing me anymore. He must know I'm nervous as is.

When I finally get my thoughts back under control and I'm back to reality, I notice we're now driving through a cute town. The houses are all decent sized looking clean and well picked up.

Two minutes go by of us driving in this town when Declan pulls into a driveway of a white house with a big oak porch; it's the perfect ranch style home.

"Whose house is this?" I question curiously.

Declan ignores the question, stepping out of the car, "Come on."

So I do what he says, and I get out of the car, following him up the little sidewalk to the oak porch. We reach the door, and Declan knocks. After about ten seconds, the door opens to a lady who looks like she's in her late thirties. She has mid-length black hair and bright blue eyes; she was beautiful.

"Declan." She says, then her eyes see me and her lips quirk up. "Who do we have here?"

"This is Ella," Declan replies smoothly.

She walks up to me and suddenly pulls me into a hug. It takes me a minute to realize what's happening before I hug her back. "It's nice to meet you, Ella."

"It's nice to meet you as well," I murmur politely. I'm not really a hugging person, but I didn't want to be rude or make it awkward.

Declan leans over close to my ear, "Don't worry, she must like you if she hugged you."

We walk into the house while the lady who greeted us walks down the hall.

"Who is she?" I ask quietly. I know they have similar features but not that much of a resemblance.

"My aunt." He says simply.

Before I can respond, a little girl who looks to be about five comes running towards us. Her curly black ringlets bounce behind her, and her bright blue eyes shine; she's wearing a yellow t-shirt with overalls.

She runs right up to Declan and jumps into his arms. When Declan picks her up and spins her around, my heart melts. Who is this little girl?

"Decwen, you're back." The little girl chirps.

"I am, and I brought someone special with me," Declan whispers not so quietly to her.

Special? He thinks I'm special? For a second, I just stare at him. I don't know why, but his opinion matters so much to me.

She takes in what he says then looks around until her eyes land on me. I smile at the beautiful girl. She hugs Declan closer, whispering something back into his ear; I can't comprehend it, though.

"Riley, this is Ella," Declan tells her.

She looks at me smiling, then glances back at Declan. "She's so pwetty."

A blush simmers onto my cheeks; this little girl was adorable.

"I know," Declan murmurs.

He lets her down, and she scrambles over to me, wrapping her little arms around me. I lean down, returning her hug. "You are very pretty too," I whisper.

Her rosy cheeks turn a shade darker. "Thank you." She squeaks.

"I think we're going to be good friends," I tell her.

Declan smiles at the both of us. "Riley is my little sister."

"She's beautiful," I say.

He smirks, "I know, so are you."

My cheeks can't catch a break; at his words, they brighten in color.

Riley suddenly takes my hand in her and tug, "Want to pway?"

I nod wordlessly, she smiles, leading me to another door that brings us outside and to her backyard.

She brings me all the way to the trampoline to jump with her. So I get on, and we jump. Her giggle is infectious, our laughs blurring together. Declan joins us and we play a bunch of different games. One being popcorn, another being tickle monster.

Riley runs around the trampoline, trying to escape Declan's tickles. He captures her, though. Seconds later, laughter bubbles around us.

"Stop, stop." Riley squirms.

"I can't hear you." He taunts.

He looks so happy with his big smile showing his white teeth and the prominence of his cheekbones.

Butterflies erupt in my stomach watching them; he's so good with her.

After we're done on the trampoline, we run around and play hide and go seek. After a little while, Declan's aunt brings us lunch, so we sit at the picnic table and eat our sandwiches with fruit. I had no idea Declan had a little sister. He must not tell a lot of people.

I can't help but wonder why she lives with their aunt. I then realize I know almost nothing about Declan.

After we're done eating, Riley wants to go inside and watch her favorite movie, which is 'Cinderella.' We settle in on the living room couch and Riley snuggles between me and Declan. She rests her head on Declan's lap and her feet on mine.

About thirty minutes into the movie, she falls asleep. Declan gently stands up and puts Riley's head under a pillow, then covers her up. I stand up too. He tells me he's going to tell his aunt we'll be heading out.

So I wait for Declan at the front door of the house. When he comes out, we walk out to the car in silence.

"I didn't know you had a little sister," I say.

Declan shrugs, "I don't really tell many people about her."

"She's wonderful," I murmur, "How old is she?"

He smiles, "Five."

Edited by @Marilyn_McKnight! Thank you, I appreciate you lots!

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