𝚂𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚂𝚔𝚒𝚗// 𝚂𝚠𝚎𝚎𝚝 𝙿𝚎𝚊

𝙱𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚁𝚊𝚒𝚍𝚜

When six o'clock came around, Sweet Pea was waiting outside. I checked my outfit in the mirror. I wore some black ripped jeans that hugged my legs and waist, having them nicely tucked into some worn combat boots. I smoothed out my forest green cropped thermal top before slipping my leather jacket on, giving my final approvals before leaving. I grabbed my bag full of whatever I thought I might need. He hadn't told me where we were going, but I just wanted to be safe. I slung it over my shoulder and headed out. Luckily, everyone was gone for the afternoon, no one was around to ask where I was going or who I was going with.

I locked the front door behind me and headed to his truck, a smile already on my face. I tossed my bag into the back and climbed into the familiar passenger seat.

"Hey," I grinned, quickly buckling in as he started to pull out of my driveway.

"So, where are we going exactly?" I asked, glancing over.

Sweet Pea looked at me, then back at the road. "I don't know yet. I'm still debating where to take you. Somewhere, it's not too southside or northside, just right in the middle where you can handle it.

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? I'll have you know I can handle anything you throw at me."

He cracked a smile. "Well in that case...I know the perfect spot."

Sweet Pea didn't say a word after deciding on where he planned on taking me, he just kept that smirk on his face as he drove. We passed a few turns I recognized and then some I didn't. I lean forward, squinting at the darkening road ahead. Then the pavement turned into dirt, and the trees swallowed us.

"You're seriously taking me into the woods?" I asked, only half-joking. I mean, I trusted Sweet Pea, but not enough for him to lead me into a place where, if something happened to me, no one would be able to find me.

He grinned, seeing the look on my face. "Relax. It's not a murder. It's a party."

"That's comforting." I mumble and sit back in my seat, causing him to chuckle.

Eventually, the forest opened into a wide clearing where a bonfire raged in the center. Flames licking at the sky. Mismatched string lights hung from the trees, casting a warm haze over the crowd of teenagers spread out on blankets, logs, and the backs of rusted-out trucks.

Sweet Pea parked, grabbing his jacket, slipping it on before getting out. I go to open my door, and he stops me, coming around to my side only to open the door for me, making me giggle.

"Come on, Princess." I roll my eyes, but my heart skips slightly at the nickname. He grins like he knows exactly what he's doing, and when he holds out his hand, I hesitate for just a second before slipping mine into his. I step down, and as he closes the truck door, his grip doesn't loosen. He keeps holding on, like it's second nature.

I glance down at our hands, and there is something about this simple gesture that sends a warm rush through me, unexpected, grounding, but a little disarming too. My fingers shift until they weave between his like it's the most natural thing in the world. And it feels natural, right, even. Like maybe this was always meant to happen, and I'm now catching up to it.

His hand is rougher than mine, but warm, solid, protective in a way I didn't realize I'd been craving. I bite back a smile threatening to break across my face, trying to play it cool even though my chest is buzzing with something I don't want to name just yet.

He bumps my shoulder, teasing, and I glance up at him, cheeks warm and heart racing for reasons I don't want to admit. I roll my eyes again, more out of habit than annoyance, and let him lead the way, heart beating a little faster than before.