I sat there for a moment and looked over at him, focused on the rearview mirror. Something about his eyes gave me butterflies. Things had been better since we started hanging out. We weren't really friends… I guess, but he definitely had a soft spot for me.
He caught me staring, and I quickly looked away, my face flushing as I realized we'd been parked for over a minute.
"Is there something on my face?" he asked, flipping down his visor to check.
He looked back at me, and I felt my embarrassment spike. I'm such an idiot. What was I thinking?
I quickly got out of the truck, opened the back door, and grabbed the blankets and pillows. I caught him snickering in the driver's seat, shaking his head.
"What's your deal?" I said, sounding a lot more snobby than I meant to. I shut the door quickly, watching him shake his head again. I wasn't exactly sure why I was suddenly so snappy, but I wasn't going back now.
I climbed into the truck bed and laid out the blanket over the crappy mattress, trying to make it comfortable. Then I realized I'd left the snacks and drinks in the truck.
I groaned and lay back, staring up at the clouds, tinted orange by the setting sun that had just begun to dip below the horizon.
Suddenly, Kyle came around the cab of the truck, and I shot upright, grabbing my chest. I hadn't even heard him get out.
"Why are you so quiet? You scared the heck out of me," I said, crossing my arms as I looked at him.
"Why are you so cranky?" he shot back, jumping into the truck bed beside me and pulling me into a playful headlock.
"S-stop," I said, pushing him off. He actually looked confused.
He gave me space, adjusting his hat as he sighed.
"Talk to me, please."
He watched my face like he was trying to read me, but I quickly looked away, staying quiet. I hated opening up to people. It was hard for me to explain how I felt, and opening up to him made me even more uncomfortable. I couldn't exactly explain why—I didn't know if I felt safe with him or not.
I felt his hand gently lift my chin. He looked at me like he was begging me to speak, but I was terrified. My thoughts spiraled—what if he saw how I really was? My emotions, my overthinking, my constant need to make sure everyone else was okay before me.
What if I opened up and he left?
I couldn't keep losing people.
"Breathe, Emma," he said, his voice firm as he pulled me into his arms. I tried to push him away, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. My eyes burned with unshed tears.
He gently rubbed my back, and I broke down, hot tears streaming down my face. I couldn't remember the last time I'd cried—or why I was crying now.
"I'm so sorry," I choked out between sobs. I used to be so tough around him, but ever since we started hanging out, I couldn't stay upset with him. I wasn't even upset with him now. What was my deal?
"Hey, no—don't apologize for how you feel. I just need you to breathe."
I shook my head, crying harder, and he held me closer.
After a while, we lay down, getting more comfortable. He threaded his fingers through my hair, and I took a shaky breath, gripping his shirt. I'd never let anyone this close to me before.
"I never cry in front of people. This is so stupid," I muttered, not looking at him. I felt his hand pause in my hair.
"Emma, it's not stupid if it's how you feel. Who told you it was—"
"Can we just… watch the sunset, please?" I cut him off, finally looking at him. My eyes were red, my face flushed.
"Yeah… okay. Just rest."
We ended up falling asleep, time slipping by as we did.