Page 37 of The List of Things

He has a nice bed, a giant bed that probably feels like the softest cloud in the world. Everything is simple, dark gray sheets, and a white comforter. His bed is made, and his room is decently clean, football jerseys framed on the walls, and photos on his nightstand I can’t quite see from where I am. He has a giant mirror in the corner of his room that reaches the floor, and a TV mounted on the wall across from his bed. Under that is a dresser, and a pile of shoes next to that. It’s lived in, but still clean.

“I want to help you clean up,” I tell him, and he turns to the left, going to the dresser.

“How about you stop worrying and take a shower?” He asks and hands me a shirt and sweatpants. “Change into this. There are clean towels under the sink and on the rack.”

He walks around me and to the bathroom. He opens the door, and flips on the light, revealing a pretty big bathroom for an apartment. It’s the same color scheme as his bedroom, gray white and blue and it’s just as clean. I don’t know why cleanliness is such a shock to me... I guess I’ve been in far too many frat houses.

“Thank you,” I walk in, and turn over my shoulder to look at him. He’s leaning against the doorway now, his eyes set on me.

“If you need anything you can just yell. I’m going to change too,” He tells me, nodding his head. He doesn’t close the door, he just narrows the view a bit.

I leave it open, knowing just what I’m doing. I lean into the shower, turning the water all the way up to the hottest setting it can go. I look in the mirror, a perfect view of his bedroom, and him now. He’s removing his shirt, and I’m doing the same. I remove my shorts too, and he’s looking back now, his eyes set on the bathroom, looking into the mirror at my reflection. His eyes are bright and lit up. I smirk as I reach around, removing my bra too, not showing him anything but my naked back. He knows I know he’s watching me, he’s looking into my eyes now.

“Enjoying the show?” I ask.

“I’m enjoying the fact that you're comfortable enough with me to have a show at all,” He calls out to me.

I get a good look at his carved chest, the perfect muscles, his tattoo that I could look at for hours, and the sculpture of his body that I know he’s spent a lot of time perfecting. I slide my underwear down my bare legs and pull the shower curtain back, a smirk on my lips. I don’t have him in my sight right now, but I am imagining him, every muscle of his in my mind as I step into his shower. Tonight has been… Interesting, and very eye opening to just how attractive Bellamy Archer is… I don’t think I’ve ever felt such a deep want for someone physically but right now I can feel it burning through my stomach.

CHAPTERTEN

I THINK I LIKE YOU BY THE BAND CAMINO

I’m wearing his shirt.The shirt he gave me on our last mini date that I have no intention of ever giving back. To be honest, the shirt he gave me is one of the comfiest shirts I’ve ever worn in my entire 21 years on this earth. It’s one of his Seattle Pike University football shirts. Probably from years past. It has the Hornets on the front and on the back is his last name Archer, 03, his jersey number on the field. Bellamy told me to dress comfortably and to bring a change of clothes for something casual as well as my stuff to get ready. I have no idea what he’s got planned today. I walk out of my apartment building and there’s a red Jeep, top down, waiting for me.

“Hey Ryn,” He speaks to me as I climb into his car, sunglasses resting on the bridge of his nose, his smile blinding.

He’s wearing workout clothes, and I tilt my head.

“What are we doing?” I ask.

“From the list, we’ll be doing a movie date where I slowly make a move on you. I promise it’ll be a great one, but I thought you could help me first,” He tells me, and I look to push my own sunglasses up, pushing my hair back.

“I didn’t sign up to work out,” I tell him.

I don’t mind working out. I actually enjoy running often, but I didn’t plan for that today.

“I would never expect you to... I said help me, not participate,” He slowly pulls away from my building and into the street.

He doesn’t hesitate to reach over the console, his hand resting on my bare thigh, his finger already drawing circles on the soft skin.

This man is going to end me. He’s constantly touching me, and my body is very aware when it comes to Bellamy. It’s more intense because with him I’ve waited for sex. I’ve waited to cross that metaphorical finish line because of the list, which is very unlike me. Though this is a form of hooking up with him, it’s very different. It’s different because he treats me like a human being, and I treat him with a lot more respect than my previous hookups. Usually, in the end, I’m looking for one thing. With this, of course, I want that same thing, but I’m also somewhat wanting to complete the list with him.

He drives us, music playing over the wind that pours through the topless Jeep. Once we’re pulled into the parking lot of the football stadium, and the car is turned off he reaches into his backseat and pulls out a giant duffle bag before exiting the car. I wait, knowing he’ll say something if I even try to open the door for myself. Bell moves to my side, opening my door for me, giving me a hand. I hop down, directly in front of him.

“This…” He tugs on the rolled sleeve, his attention on the shirt that I’m wearing. “I like this... On you,” He tells me, approving of my outfit.

“It’s cuter on me I think,” I tell him.

“So you admit it would be cute on me?” He asks, and I roll my eyes. “Selective hearing always works in my favor,” He slings his arm over my shoulder, his height towering over me.

He walks me straight into the stadium, keeping me right by his side.

I see a group of girls, all of them walking up the stairs, matching shirts on their bodies. I recognize some of them, others not so much. It’s the cheer team. I feel eyes on me instantly, and I would move, but I have a feeling Bellamy wouldn’t let me. I shouldn’t care what they think though, none of them matter in this regard. None of them know Bellamy or me, or what’s going on. My mind spins, wondering what they’re thinking. What are they going to go and tell their other friends, or boyfriends? I wonder how real this looks to people that aren’t our friends. I wonder if they think…

“Hey Bellamy,” I hear a few girls speak out flirtatiously.

Some even say hi to me, their voices not as kind… but there’s one that doesn’t say a word. I don’t know how I forgot Leah was on the cheer team, especially because she’s now probably the captain considering she’s going into her senior year. Leah’s eyes are sharp, not looking at him, but me. She looks angered and oddly hurt.

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