Day Dreaming (DreamNotFound)

4. On the Way

"George, wake up."

I open my eyes slightly, but they completely open in shock when I saw Clay, standing above me with his large backpack thrown around his shoulder.

"Clay! What the fuck!? Why are you- I don't have any clothes on-" I pulled up the sheet blanket to cover my bare chest.

He disregarded my shouting. "You need to get up, it's like 6:30."

"Okay, but why did you break into my house to let me know?" My face is warm. I'm sure that I'm bright red.

"Your dad let me in," he said, nonchalantly.

"Oh my God- listen, I'll be out in a moment, just go stand outside." I quickly grabbed some clothes I had set out.

"Gotcha." He left, closing the door behind him. Funny joke by my dad, I'm sure. He probably figured he'd let Clay in to wake me up and make me flustered. Well, I'm not laughing. 

I switched out my pants and threw on a shirt, smoothing out my hair. I hapazardly grabbed my bag and ran downstairs. I wanted to just brush past my dad, but he stopped me. "Hey, stay safe out there."

"Yeah, yeah," I said dismissively.

"And don't, um... get with any guys, got it?" he warned seriously.

"Got it," I sighed.

"Now you can go. Have fun!" he said, letting me go. I haven't even been up for five minutes and I just want to disappear into a hole for the rest of my life. 

I walked outside, an overcast sky reflecting the sun's vibrant rays. "Hey," Clay greeted from the curb. "You're all red. What's up?"

"My dad," I groaned. 

Clay looked like he wanted to respond, but he didn't. After a moment of awkward silence, he asked, "Should we get going?"

"I guess. Where's your car?" I looked up and down the street, not noticing his car.

"I walked here. My parents didn't want me leaving my car at the school for a week." He got up, picking up the bag next to him.

I was concerned. "I thought you lived far away?"

"I've been out for half an hour," he admitted.

"Damn. That must suck."

"I got used to it. At least I still have my endurance from track."

"Well... Don't collapse on me again, okay?" I teased, starting off towards school. He follows behind me and we silently make our way to the meeting point at the parking lot.

There were a few people out, which was lot more than I expected. There were joggers, bikers, and we even got to pet a nice lady's dog. At about halfway, Clay tried to speak, but his teeth were chattering.

"Are you cold?" I asked.

"Yeah," he answered.

"Do you have a jacket?"

"I have one in my bag, but I didn't want to get it out because it's at the bottom."

My breath caught in my chest. Don't offer, don't offer, don't offer-

"Do you want mine?" I offered.

"Um... sure, as long as you don't need it."

I stopped punching myself internally. "I'll be fine," I assured him. I quickly took off my light blue jacket and handed it to him. He gratefully bundled up.

He put his hands in the jacket pockets. "Thanks. That's much better." As we continued walking, I thought, Well, at least I didn't have to insist.