The Boy Next Door

2 - I Didn't Even See His Horns

The December air held a tight grip on me as I sat on the stairs of the front porch looking across the lawn.

I was wrapped in my winter coat and sweats which kept me somewhat warm.

"Hey Casey!" Blake called over to me from his own house. He started walking towards me rubbing his arms to keep himself warm. He sat down next to me on the steps. "Are you alright? I heard what happened. I hope you know that it's not your fault. That guy is just a jerk and didn't realize what he had. If I was him I wouldn't have been so stupid."

What he said made me feel a little better. At this point I didn't even care that their were issues between Blake and I. Right now It was just nice to have someone there with me.

Blake shivered and I realized that all he had was a small sweater.

"Come on let's go inside." I said standing up with Blake following me into the house.

My slutty sister had already taken off (thank god) so I was the only one at home.

As we stepped in, the warmth of the house surrounded me and I stripped my coat off. It revealed my Mickey Mouse pajamas which matched my red sweat pants.

"Let me get you something" I told Blake.
He nodded his head and I walked over to the cabinet getting two packets of hot chocolate and a pan from the cupboard. I boiled some water and poured the packets into two mugs then added the boiling water.

The cups steamed and I slowly stirred the mixtures.

I handed Blake his mug and he got up, waking to the living room. Since Blake had always been my neighbor, he knew his way around our house.

I followed him to the living room where he set his cup on the coffee table and trugged over to the TV."Sit down" he instructed and I did as he told me too, "I know that today has been horrible so I'm gonna help make it better!"

He gave me a quick smile before putting a movie into the DVD Player and sitting on the couch next to me.

"It's 27 Dresses" Blake says making a face, "I know how love your chick flicks when you're sad. And that this is your favorite movie. So sit down. Get a blanket. Give me your cup so that I can get you more hot chocolate. And now lets enjoy this movie."

I admit. Seeing him so demanding, was kinda hot.
______________

I woke up the next morning in my bed. I don't know how I got there but being cuddled up under my blanket felt nice.
I flipped over on my other side to see a body next to me in my bed.

Holy shit it was Blake!
His eyes fluttered open, looked at me and he smiled.

"Morning Casey." He stood up and I noticed that he had slept with a separate blanket, but on my bed.

"Blake" I said propping myself on my elbows, "why did you stay here last night?"

He walked out my attached bathroom like he owned the place. It didn't bother me though. He practically lived here for the past 16 years.

"Well after the movie last night, you fell asleep so I brought you up here. I figured that I'd just stay here because it was late. You don't mind that I stayed do you?

"No! It's totally fine." I answered his question, "you know, I like this Blake better than the ass hole that left 2 years ago."

He smiled at me and after a few seconds replied, "yeah well, some people are worth changing for." Then he winked at me.

What the hell did that mean?
I shrugged it off and started to get ready.
After I got dressed I walked into the bathroom so that I could do my hair and makeup.

I walked in, seen Blake sitting on the counter next to the sink where I had my things scattered.

"You know," he started staring at me, "you shouldn't have to wear makeup, you're pretty enough!"

I looked at Blake my mouth open. "You're kidding right? And I don't wear that much anyway. Just some mascara and light brown eyeliner to make my eyes pop."
Blake rolled his eyes and I chuckled. "Well if you ask me I think that your eyes pop enough."

I looked at Blake again, "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Well duh. I give pretty girls compliments when they deserve it. And you deserve to be told that everyday. Besides," he says hopping off of the counter seeing that I'm almost done, "I think that you could use a boost in self confidence. Even if it's coming from me, you deserve it." He smiled at me and I knew he was just trying to be nice.

Whatever your game was Blake, you knew how to make it really believable. I give him props.

Right now, I didn't even see his devil horns.
_______________
"I'm taking you to the park" Blake says as we walk out of the house, the cool morning air hitting my face.

"Umm okay" I reply.

As we drive into the parking lot at the park I get out of Blake's car and I know exactly why we're here.

When Blake and I were little we we would go into the grove of trees that opened into a small circle. We used to sit there and talk when Blake wasn't pranking me.
He looked at me and winked.

"I'll race ya!" I said as I darted towards the trees.

Blake followed close behind me but I beat him and I entered the grove, a million memories flowed back to me.

"Casey you keep falling out of the tree!" Blake called to me as I climbed up the tallest pine tree in the grove. "What makes you think this time will be different? You're going to fall again and this time you'll probably hurt yourself."

"Shut up Blake!" I spat at him at I shimmied up through the branches.

"Casey be careful!" Blake shouted and at that moment my foot slipped and I found my self tumbling down through the tree. I land hard on the ground and Blake rushes over towards me.

"You idiot!" He yells at me, "I told you this would happen! I bet your ankle is broken!" He pointed down my leg were my foot was turned completely side ways.

I can still remember that day. I did break my ankle and I ended up on crutches for a month and a half.

My thoughts were broken when I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder.

"Do you remember this place?" Blake asks looking at me with a sparkle in his eye.

I silently nod and sit crisscrossed in the center of the trees.

I looked around me and I remembered what had happened here all those years ago.

Blake sat down next to me. He placed his hand in mine....

My head jolted to him giving him a shocked expression.

What the hell is going on?

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Do you see where I'm going with this? I think it's kinda obvious and cliche right now but as the story goes on it may come a little less predictable. I hope anyway.
Please comment and favorite my book. I really want to be a good writer and I would really appreciate the feed back!

Later Gators ^.^