Everly

I looked at his angelic face as he slept beside me, soundlessly. It was 8:30 am in the morning. I know Phillip went out and I know Barbara is home from her midnight shift and she went straight to bed. Barbara is a very heavy sleeper and It worries me, that how she can still be asleep with loud noises.

He was hugging one of my pillow, he looked way too comfortable with the position that he is sleeping. I thought of waking him up, but then I shrugged it off and decided to do my own things. I had to go to the mall to purchase something and decided whether or not to wake him up, it was noon already and Barbara will wake up either now or later.

He groaned as I shake him and I covered his mouth and cuss at him.

"If my mom hears your voice and come to my room, you will be ban from this house." I lied, Barbara will be more than happy to welcome him and may even start assuming we are dating and I don't want to give her or Phillips any hope.

His green eyes opened slowly and he looked at me. He look so beautiful and for once he didn't seem like the arrogant guy that I used to know.

"Good morning." He said as I removed my hand and he give me his flirty smile with dimples and I almost fell for his trap.

I rolled my eyes at him, still really annoyed by the fact that he almost got bursted by Phillip, last night.

"Look at you." He said as he sat up and pulled me close to him and nuzzle his head on my neck.

"You are such a baby." I complained. "I didn't know you are a cuddle baby."

"I love cuddling." He admits. "I hope you like cuddling too."

"Not with you." I said.

He moved back and fake gasped. "I am great at cuddling." And he put his arms around me and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Get you butt out of my bed and go home. I have to go out." I said.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

I grinned. "It's a secret."

This time, he rolled his eyes at me and said. "I have a car and I can simply take you. Bus rides are long and annoying." He said as he scrunched his nose.

"How do you like over here?" I asked him. "You like London more or over here?"

He looked thoughtful and said, "London is my home."

"What are you doing over here?" I asked and he shrugged.

"Family's decision and change of place is good at times."

"Don't you miss it?"

"My family is here and I don't have friends, as you know." He said surprising me.

"You do!" I said, thinking about the group of boys he roams with at times.

"They are not friends, that I can rely on."

"If you don't have expectation from anyone, you won't be disappointed." I said.

"Are you saying I shouldn't have any expectations from you too?"

"Yea." I said, thoughtfully. "It gives me a lot of pressure, trying to reach someone's expectation is like trying to be who you are not."

He looked at me and said, "Then instead of expectations, can I have hope?"

"Isn't it the same?"

"It's not." He shake his head, "hope is something that I dream of and I hope you will trust me, maybe not now? But months or even years." He smiled at me.

"Why do you want my trust?"

"Because you are special." He said.

"Not falling for it." I shake my head.

"I think I trust you enough to take care of my heart."

"What do you mean?" I asked surprised by his words.

"My heart is very sensitive you know." He put both his hands near his heart and said, "that's the reason why I am very protective of my heart."

"Ain't we all sensitive there?"

"Sure? But I trust you."

"What are you even talking about? Are you still drunk?" I asked, lost.

He laughed and he smiled, showing me his dimples. "you have my heart, girl."

And for the first time, I melted at his words and smile.

Walking in the mall, with Elliot was a very bad idea. Not only did we get so much attention, but we had to stop numerous times as girls wanted to flirt and ask for his number. He was both pleased and arrogant at the same time and I was thinking whether it was a good time to bring him, here. His offer to bring me here was nice- that's true, I didn't have to wait for the bus neither did I got pushed in the crowded bus and it took us less than fifteen minutes over here. I had to pick up my order from a store and I was getting impatient with this guy.

"I will meet you here in ten." I said, as I looked at my phone.

"No, we are going together."he said and I heard one of the girl sighed.

Yes, I will admit, his accent and his face makes it sound hundred times better, but that give rise to his attitude.

"When? When the store is closed." I said.

"It's just four pm, the mall doesn't close until 9 pm." He said rolling his eyes.

I scowled and folded my arms together. He smiled at the girls and said, "Look, my girlfriend is upset now."

"But you said, you guys are friends." One of them pointed out.

"My girlfriend and I fought and she was pretending that she was not my girlfriend, now that she is jealous I am all done."

The girls pouted and I scoffed. "Seriously?" I said to him. "You are so annoying." As I walked away.

"Look, she is upset again! See you later, it was nice meeting you."

"Can you not do that?" I said in frustration.

"Do what?"

"Play games?"

"This is not a game." He said as he walked beside me.

"They look like they will jump in the oceans if you tell them ten second later, if you haven't ruin their imagination."

"Ouch." He feigned hurt, "Why will I tell them to jump in the oceans for?"

I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm as he laughed and put his arm on my shoulders. I tried to move his arm away, but he refused.

"You are funny, love." He said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading this book, please give this chapter and share my books with other readers- "Beautiful You, Beautiful Us, Seasons of the Years and Loving Everly Gray" have been nominated in the #Wattys2019. It wouldn't have been possible without your help and support, please continue to support me and thank you once again for everything ❤️