34|| Stars

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*Ring Ring*

"Ughh."

Why is my phone ringing in the middle of the night?!

I reached for it which my eyes still closed and answered it sleepily.

"What?" I hissed quietly.

I do not need the boys waking up too.

"Come to your gate Taliah, it's River." He said.

"Why? It's." I looked at the time.

"1 in the morning what's wrong with you?" I asked.

"Nothing I just wanted to spend time with my best friend." He said, I could hear the smirk in his voice

"No goodnight," I said while about to press the red button.

"No! No, get dressed and come. You won't regret it I promise." He begged.

Hehe, he begged for me.

"Fine but only because you begged for me. Are you on your knees with your hands intertwined as well?" I teased.

"No." He said defensively.

"Okay, whatever gimme 5 minutes." I ended the call.

I put on leggings and a plain black long-sleeved shirt.

I threw on my shoes and walked out the door quietly.

It's freezing but it's too late to turn back.

For my brothers to have such a big house they don't have good security.

I walked down to the side gate and walked out to see Rivers's car away from the gate.

I walked down to the passenger door and sat inside.

"What have you got me doing River?" I asked while putting on the seatbelt.

I was already shivering but failed to hide it from him.

"Put this on." He put a hoodie on my lap.

I thanked him quietly and put it on, it smelt just like him.

He immediately started driving once I was seated and comfortable.

"We're going to the place we first met." He said.

"Nice, how'd you know I don't like surprises?" I asked.

"I guess I just know my girl." He said while smirking.

"Yeah." I laughed awkwardly.

His girl? Since when?

After a few minutes of silence, we were in the deserted woods area.

We walked for a few minutes and I saw two bags of McDonald's and a jug of strawberry lemonade

"Omg! Food!" I ran to the bags and started devouring the fries inside.

I looked up and saw River looking at me amused.

I quietly chuckled and wiped the salt from my mouth.

"I'm assuming this is ours right? I mean you did solicit me to come with you the least you could do is give me food." I explained.

"Yes, Taliah it's yours." He smiled.

I gasped.

"Was that- was that a smile?" I teased.

He shook his head while still smiling.

He mumbled something that sounded kike "only for you" I'm not completely sure I had just started eating my McDouble.

After we- I mean I ate we laid down and watched the stars.

"There so pretty," I whispered.

"I agree." He responded.

I looked over at him just to see he was already staring at me.

I cleared my throat and sat up.

"Why don't you wear a uniform at school?" I asked.

"Well." He started as he sat up.

"There's this thing called blackmail. I have some dirt on the principal and let's just say if I just so happen to let out his secret his wife would divorce him in a heartbeat." He said smiling.

I let out a booming laugh.

"Your joking, what did he do?" I asked.

"He's cheating with a twenty-something year old. She's been their maid for the past two years." He told me.

"That's crazy, do you think you could let me in on the deal? I hate wearing the uniforms to school." I said.

"I'll see what I can do." He responded cheekily.

Without even noticing he was closer to me than before.

He put his hand on my cheek and caressed it softly.

He then kissed me on the cheek.

I started to feel happy but sad.

Sad because I've never had a friend that treated me with so much love.

Happy because I have that now.

Before I knew it tears started to fall freely from my eyes.

River's face morphed into an expression of concern.

"What's wrong?" He asked while wiping my tears away.

"Nothing," I said while smiling.

"I just- I've never had a friend before. I've never had someone that I could be open to. Not even Harlow. But you, you make me different in so many ways I didn't know were possible. You love me in a way I've never been loved. You kiss me with so much gentleness I haven't had since my mom died. You look at me with a look I've never seen in someone's eyes. You touch me like I'm the most precious thing to ever exist. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you." I said as I continued to cry.

River smiled softly at me then picked me up and placed me on his lap.

He kissed the top of my head as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I'm luckier than you could ever imagine." He whispered.

•••

It's been a few weeks since River took me to our spot.

Our spot, I love it.

We've been getting along well. The hard part is keeping it from my brothers. I have to make sure to hang out with him away from their sight.

I have to lie and say I'm having with Harlow when I'm really with him. I just wish the no boys rule didn't apply.

But River dosen't mind he's a good friend.

As good as being friends gets.

But one thing I'm confused about is the way I feel about him.

I get butterflies every time he smiles, my legs give out every time I walk toward him, and my heart melts just looking at him. I'm sure it's totally platonic.

He's my best friend.

There is no doubt in my mind that that will change.

•••

I was now home from school and about to start cooking with Vincent.

He had invited June to dinner to officially announce their relationship.

I was so excited.

Vincent and I were making lasagna.

I was chopping the tomatoes for the sauce.

He was going on and on about how June was blabbering about how nervous she was.

I don't know why she even knows my family.

Family. I haven't had one of those in a while.

It's crazy how my life was turned around. First I was with my mom. Then she left. Nigel was taking care of me and abusing me for most of my life.

Then I find out I have five brothers that just so happen to want to take care of me after my stepfather goes to jail.

Life is so unpredictable.

"Taliah, what's wrong with you?!" Vincent yelled.

I furred my eyebrows and saw I had cut my finger.

The cut was short and deep.

How did that happen?

"It happened because you're not paying attention just like now," Vincent yelled.

Huh? Did I say that out loud?

"Yes Taliah you did," he said he gave me a clean white cloth and told me to hold it tight against my finger.

He ran upstairs and came back ten seconds later with a kit.

"You gonna need stitches" He grimaced.

He put some medicine in a needle and told me it was to numb the pain when he stitches it.

A few minutes later he had the needle and thread ready to start.

"Ready?" He asked

"Yep," I said nervously.

He started stitching but I only felt a pinch he was done within two or three minutes.

He finished up and put all his stuff away.

"Stay here, you're not to be in the kitchen anymore for a week. Watch some videos on kitchen saftey then maybe we can talk." He kissed my head and walked away.

After starting an episode of Gilmore Girls Ace came and saw my finger bandaged.

"Whoa, what happen to you?" He asked.

"I cut myself chopping tomatoes." I briefly explained.

He riled his eyes and came to sit by me.

"Your so clumsy, it's unbelievable." He chuckled.

"Whatever," I mumbled.

He put his arm around me and pulled me to his side.

"Why are you so lovely dovey?" I asked.

"No reason." He smirked.

I gave him a blank look and he huffed.

"Okay, fine I broke a Romans dog sculpture in his office." He explained.

"Okay, tell him sorry and that you'll replace it," I said.

His eyes went wide and he started shaking his head.

"I can't, he'll kill me." He said.

"Who will kill who?" Vincent asked while wiping his hands with a towel.

"Ace is scared Romans gonna get him for breaking his dog sculpture." I rolled my eyes.

Vincent gave me an anxious look.

"Oh, well it was nice knowing you, Ace. See you in another lifetime." He waved.

"Nooo I don't want to die yet at least let me die getting shot by the enemy or something." Ace abruptly stopped and started to tap on his phone.

"The enemy? What are you-" I was cut off by the doorbell.

Vincent ran to get it and soon walked in with June by his side.

"Dinner is ready to get the rest of the boys." He looked.

"Okay." Ace scurried off quickly.

Let's see how this dinner goes.

Hiiiii! How are you guys? I hope you liked this chapter. QOTD: Do you only read Wattpad stories or do you read physical books too? Me? I ready both, so far I think I've read 8 this year so yay me! Don't forget to VCF!

Mya❤️