Page 63 of Truth Or Dare
“I think we should pull over,” I say, raising my voice slightly over the sound of the rain. “It’s pouring, and it’s getting late. We should rest for a bit, and I can take over driving on the way back.”
“What?” She shakes her head adamantly. “No way. It’s my turn to drive. Besides, I practically dragged you along with me. The least I can do is get us there.”
I scoff. “You did not drag me.” She really doesn’t seem to understand that I’d doanythingfor her. “I wanted to come, Gabi.”
“No, you didn’t,” she says, stealing a glance at me. “I practically begged you to come with me so I wouldn’t have to be alone.” She sighs. “You just felt sorry for me.”
My lips drop into a frown. Does she really believe that? “That’s the last thing I feel for you,” I tell her honestly. “I wanted to see you.” She turns her attention to me, and my throat tightens with nerves. “I came because I wanted to see you, to be near you. I missed you like crazy, and I wanted to spend time with you.”
She holds my gaze, and her lips part. Sometimes, I think she could feel the same as I do. But I’ve been there before, and I’m not going back. Not when it could shatter my heart, and our friendship into a million tiny pieces.
I clear my throat, tearing my gaze away from her to glance at the road. “Pull over down there,” I tell her, gesturing towards the gas station at the side of the road. “We can grab some snacks and rest until the rain lets up.”
She groans in agreement and nods. “Yes, please. I’m starving.”
I chuckle. “I know. I can tell.”
She blinks, tilting her head. “How?”
Gabi gets this drowsy look in her eyes whenever she’s hungry. “I just can,” I say with a shrug, not wanting to reveal just how well I know her. It surprises me that she thinks I don’t know her. She acts like she wasn’t the biggest part of my life. I know everything about this girl. More than I should. But that doesn’t stop me from thinking about her every damn day.
Every time I see a Ferris wheel it reminds me of her. Every time I see a brownie, it reminds me of her. Of us. And thenthere are the songs I can’t listen to without hearing her. Without thinking of her.
Gabi pulls over into the gas station and brings the car to a stop, then leans her head back against the car seat, letting out a sigh. “How much longer until we’re there?” she asks, her voice filled with exhaustion.
I quickly check the map. “About three more hours,” I reply.
“Ugh,” she groans, closing her eyes. “Why did I think driving was a good idea?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Because you’re too stubborn to go on a plane. Why didn’t you, by the way?”
“I’m not stubborn. You didn’t have a ticket, and I really wanted you there, and I guess I was…” She sighs, closing her eyes for just a second. “I was scared,” she admits.
Scared? Gabi? “Scared of what?”
She glances at me with a glare. “What are people scared of when flying, Chris? Falling, crashing,dying.”
I know I shouldn’t, but my lips lift a little.
Gabi is scared of dying.
Most people wouldn’t even bat an eyelash at that. Many people are scared of dying, but I remember a time when she wasn’t. When she wished for it.
“Are you…” She narrows her eyes at me, suspicion evident in her tone. “Smiling?”
I quickly wipe my hand across my mouth, trying to hide my smile. “Come on. Let’s get you fed before you eat me,” I joke.
She flashes me a grin that warms my heart. “I wouldn’t eat you,” she says, tapping my cheek playfully. “Your face is too pretty for that.”
I laugh, knowing she’s just joking, but my chest betrays me, fluttering like crazy.
Gabi opens her car door, and I follow suit, immediately feeling the pouring rain drenching me as soon as I step out of the car.I glance at Gabi, seeing the water completely drenching her. “Fuck,” I mutter, feeling myself getting soaked with each passing second. “Run.” She pulls her hoodie over her head, and sprints toward the gas station. I follow right behind her the rain soaking me to the bone until we finally make it inside.
“Holy shit,” she says when we’re finally out of the rain. “I’m so wet.” She lets out a sweet laugh, and I can’t help but look down at her, taking in the sight of the most beautiful girl I have ever been lucky enough to see in my lifetime.
She has her navy blue hoodie pulled over her head, wet strands of hair clinging to her face. Water droplets coat her pale skin, and the cold rain makes her lips look puffy and red.
I realize I’m still staring at her when she licks her lips, and like a moth to a flame, my eyes drift down to them. I swallow down the groan building in my throat, forcing myself to tear my eyes away from her.
