AN: Look at me! Back after just over a week! This is like a record XD
But in all seriousness, thank you so much to all the lovely people who have left reviews, comments and sweet messages on instagram as well. It truly does mean the world to me and getting feedback makes the long hours of writing worth it.
I hope you enjoy this chapter! I certainly enjoyed writing it!
The Life We Deserve
Chapter 6 - Flames
Mike cringed as El drove over a pothole, his hand moving to his leg as he sighed, wincing slightly. The skin was hot to touch and looked bright red. He cautiously lifted the hem of his cargo pants and grimaced at what a contrast the lobster coloured skin was against the stark white of his thighs.
El's words of caution haunted Mike's mind as he thought back to the pool which was two days earlier.
"You're going to get sunburnt."
Mike huffed slightly as he reminded himself of his response. "No, my legs never tan."
"Are you beating yourself up again?" El asked from the driver side, her lips twitching slightly as she tried to hide her amused smile.
"Maybe," Mike replied, pouting as he crossed his arms. "I swear they never tan! And now I look like that starfish from Spongebob Squarepants!"
El grinned, keeping her eyes on the road. "Patrick?"
"Yeah him," Mike said solemnly.
"I would have said you looked more like Mr Krabs."
"Hey!"
El burst out laughing, wiping her eyes as she tried to control herself. "I'm sorry honey," she said between giggles. "But you've just got to laugh at it. If we keep applying the creams, the redness will soon go down."
"And if they don't work?" Mike whined, wincing again as he pressed a finger to his legs.
El shrugged, turning into Maple Street. "Then you will just stay like that forever I suppose." Her voice was solemn but the side glance she gave Mike showed she was only teasing.
Mike sighed, shaking his head. "What did I do to put up with this abuse?"
El grinned, "next time listen to your dear wife. She's very wise."
Mike couldn't help but smile, turning to El and taking her hand for a moment, kissing it tenderly. "She certainly is."
Mike had barely got out of the car when the front door of the Wheeler house opened abruptly. Karen Wheeler stood looking as glamorous as ever. She waved excitedly at her son and daughter in law.
"Hey mom," Mike said, struggling not to flinch as he walked up the path, El by his side as she pressed the car key to lock the vehicle.
"Hi hon - " Karen began brightly before her eyes widened, her gaze fixated on Mike's bright red legs. "Oh honey what happened!" she gasped, her perfectly manicured hands going to her rosy cheeks.
"He didn't listen to me when I told him to put on sun cream and…" El responded for Mike as she sadly gestured to his legs.
"Oh honey let me see what ointments and creams I have!" Karen gasped, bustling back into the house as Mike and a slightly annoyed El followed her in. She had already spent the last two days nursing her husband and applying cream regularly to his legs, so Karen's intervention wasn't necessary. But there was no stopping a mother and El knew that.
The moment they entered the house their nostrils were filled with the smell of baking, the sweetness of sugar in the air. They walked past the living room where Ted Wheeler was snoozing away in his armchair. Some things never changed.
"Hey dad," Mike called, not at all surprised when even his raised voice didn't wake up his father. He was definitely even more hard of hearing these days, to the fury of Karen.
"Where should I set up my laptop mom?" Mike asked as Karen came back into view, her hands laden with aftersun and different cream pots.
"The dining room?" she offered, looking nervously at the laptop. "So how will we be talking with Nancy and Holly?"
"Through video call mom," Mike tried to explain patiently as he put down his laptop on the dark oak table. "Remember how we did with Holly at Christmas? Just the same thing again."
"That sky thing was it?" Karen asked with a frown.
Mike smiled, "Skype mom."
Karen nodded, pretending she understood it as she laid the creams on the table. "Now Michael I would try this one first. And have you thought about bathing in milk? Or putting natural yogurt on your legs?"
Mike cringed, "that sounds gross."
"I assure you it is quite pain relieving for sunburn," Karen smiled slightly to herself. "I used to spend a bit of time at the community pool myself honey. And I won't say I burnt myself like you have, but I certainly have burnt my shoulders before."
Karen then gave her son a slightly reprimanding look. "You should be careful Michael with your fair skin. You know about skin cancer don't you?"
Mike rolled his eyes while El helped herself to a drink, gritting her teeth. She had already given him the same lecture. "Yes mom I know," he answered, feeling like a child. "I was just being foolish. Trust me, it won't happen again."
Karen sighed, "well be careful with going to the lake today. You are still going aren't you?"
El answered this time, walking back into the dinning room. "Yes," she smiled, "the car is all packed, we just need to pick the kids up."
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Mike added, logging into his laptop. "The whole gang is coming. Even Hopper and Joyce."
Karen pursed her lips in thought for a moment but then shook her head. "No I'm fine thank you darling. I have book club at 11 and you know how long that can go on for."
Mike nodded, feeling slightly sorry for his mom. She was stuck in the same routines and always had been. She wasn't exactly spontaneous. He didn't want to put her on the spot though so concentrated on opening up Skype while El talked to Karen about the kids.
"Ah Holly's already online," Mike commented, distracting Karen who practically cooed with happiness.
"I wonder if she'll have Sophie with her," she said happily, referring to Holly's 4 year old daughter.
"Let's find out," Mike said with a smile as he started to call Holly. She answered quickly, sitting at her desk in her study, waving at the group with her mini me on her knee. Sophie was like a carbon copy of little Holly, with her blonde hair, pigtails and bright eyes.
"Hello my darlings!" Karen waved enthusiastically.
"Hi you two!" El added.
Mike followed up with "Hey Hol! Hey Sophie!"
"Hi guys," Holly grinned, whispering to a shy Sophie who waved, one hand playing with a pig tail.
"How are you both?" Karen practically shouted, leading Mike to explain that she didn't have to scream, they could hear her fine.
"We're good thanks mom," Holly smiled. "How are you all? You look good mom. Is that a new dress?"
"Oh this old thing," Karen laughed, waving her hand nonchalantly. 'Where's my lovely son in law?"
Holly smiled, "Chris is at Walmart, but he shouldn't be too long. I didn't give him a big list this time. How are you Mike? El?"
"We're good," Mike smiled. "We're going to the lake today with the party which should be good."
"Oh yeah!" Holly said, as Sophie pointed at the screen and smiled. "Max and Lucas are up right?"
"Yep," El grinned. "And Ryan and Zach too."
"Aw," Holly smiled. "That will be nice for Ivy to see her boyfriend. It must be hard being long distance."
El snorted and Mike immediately blushed. He quickly interjected, "they aren't dating Hol."
"They're not?!" Holly and Karen said in unison both looking at Mike who seemed blindsided.
"I mean, it's probably not going to be long before they are dating," El added, her hands on her husband's shoulders, calming him.
Mike knew that he didn't have a problem with Ivy and Ryan dating. Ryan had proved himself not even just over the past week but all his life that he would be a loving and loyal partner to Ivy. What shocked Mike was how everyone could have seen their chemistry before he had. Was he really that blind?
"Yes" El's voice seemed to answer inside Mike's mind.
He was happily distracted when he saw Nancy was finally online and he was able to add her into the video call.
"Hi everyone!" Nancy waved, Jonathan in the background also greeting the group. "Sorry we're late, I had to finish off my article. I've got a strict deadline on this one."
"Oh that's okay honey," Karen smiled, taking a seat beside Mike, El sitting on her husband's other side.
Once all the greetings were done and Chris had returned, Sophie jumping off her mommy's knee and running into her daddy's arms, the official meeting of Karen's 70th birthday began.
"So mom," Nancy started, pulling out her pad of paper and pen. "Are you still wanting a black tie event?"
"Yes I think so darling," Karen smiled, "I've already started looking at dresses."
"Me too," Holly and El admitted, excitement in their voices at being able to dress up.
"And you want a live band," Mike reminded his mom who nodded her head as Nancy wrote this down. "Have you had any ideas who you would want?"
"Yes I have actually," Karen began, pulling out a leaflet from a folder she had created. "You know Mary from Willow Street? Well she had this band called Roses for her 70th birthday and I really liked them. I thought they could play a mix of songs from my generation and a few that you kids like."
"Sounds good mom," Holly smiled in agreement.
"That's fine," Nancy nodded, making a few notes. "Can you ask their availability mom? And then we can compile a list of songs to play."
"I will do honey," Karen said before adding with a slightly shy smile. "I also wanted to ask for something."
"Go for it," Mike answered. This was her 70th birthday after all and he knew how much it meant to her that they wanted to make it perfect for her.
"Well seeing as we've got some lovely talent in our own family, I thought a few of the girls could sing at the party. Just one or two of my favourite songs. Ivy and Emily have beautiful voices. Oh and Chloe Harrington! She was wonderful in the school musical."
"I can't speak for Chloe, but I'm sure Ivy would be happy to," El smiled, making a mental note to ask her daughter.
Nancy nodded, "and I am sure Emily would do it mom. She does a lot of musical theatre in school so it's not like she is stepping out of her comfort zone."
"I don't know who she gets it off," Jonathan could be heard in the background, making the others laugh.
"We should be seeing Chloe today at the lake, so we can ask her," El added after a moment's thought.
"Lovely!" Karen said happily, a smile on her face as she turned a page in her folder.
"We haven't discussed the most important thing yet!" Mike suddenly gasped, making El laugh.
"I wonder what they could be…" she teased.
"The food and specifically the cake," he answered to the eye rolls of his sisters.
"Well I am going to have a meeting with the hotel about their buffet menu and canapes," Karen said consulting her diary. She looked up at her son and smiled, "you're more than welcome to join me Michael. I believe there will be some samples to try - "
"Yeah I'll be there," Mike answered before his mother had even finished her sentence.
"Well I'm going to the cake tasting then," El added, grinning at her husband mischievously.
Karen laughed, "that's fine sweetie. I think I'm going with Mama's Bakery."
"Ooh good choice," El grinned, nodding her head with enthusiasm.
"We've had some ideas about decorations mom, but if you don't mind we want to keep it a surprise." Nancy said before adding, "but it'll obviously be in your chosen colour scheme."
"I trust you," Karen smiled. "I was thinking black, gold and silver as the theme."
"Very classy," Holly added, the rest of the group nodding in agreement.
The group carried on discussing the party such as the guest list, the invitations and transport. After a couple of shouts of "Ted! Ted! TED!" from Karen, Ted Wheeler awoke from his slumber and came over to say hello to his son and daughters.
Once the video call meeting was over, Karen hurried to the kitchen to get Mike and El a piece of warm apple pie. Even though they had breakfast a couple of hours earlier, neither of them were about to refuse some home baked goods and happily tucked into the pie, feeling like children again.
You couldn't go into the Wheeler without being mothered by Karen Wheeler. It was like you left your dad and mom label at the door and became teenagers again. Not that Mike was complaining, he supposed he was a bit of a mommy's boy and would happily get fed with mouthwatering baked treats.
Before Mike and El left Karen hurried over with a large bag, "I've packed the kids some cookies, they're in the tupperware. Oh and the rest of the pie and some chocolate muffins if you fancy one."
"Thank you mom," Mike smiled, taking the bag off Karen and kissing her on the cheek in gratitude.
"Thanks Karen," El said, hugging her mother in law. "I can't promise all the cookies will make it to the kids, but we'll try our best."
"Speak for yourself," Mike grinned, winking at El.
They waved to Ted who was heading back to his chair and left the house. Holding hands as they walked to the car.
"Are you ready for some more madness?" El asked her husband, a wide smile on her face.
"Oh yes," Mike laughed, feeling excitement building up inside of him. The rest of the day was going to be spent at the lake with some of his favourite people, what was there not to love?!
Chloe lay on her bed, her fingers brushing against the softness of her comforter as she listened to her music, her eyes closed. She had an array of emotive songs soothing her through her headphones. Break up and sad songs seeming to be the theme of the day.
She wanted to disappear, wanted the bed to swallow her whole as her thoughts traitorously took her back two days. She remembered walking up the stairs, wanting to drop her bag off in her bedroom before rejoining the others in the backyard for a barbeque. She heard voices but didn't think anything of it until she came towards her bedroom door.
At first she was confused why James, Sam and Zach were in her bedroom, but then the memory seemed to twist into a nightmare. Everything had such clarity, like James holding her journal, her journal full of her deepest secrets and her desperate love for him. The year book was like the cherry on top of the cake. The page where James had written a message, where Chloe had sat in bed and drawn small hearts around his words was there for all the world to see, like a blazing beacon. She didn't think she had ever been so humiliated in her life.
Heat rose to the surface of her cheeks even with the memory. She would never live it down. How could she even look Sam, Zach and most of all James in the eye again? The worst was that she didn't understand why they had done it. Did they want to make fun of her? Make her feel like a stupid little girl? Humiliate her? Well it had worked.
Even when Ivy had come in to comfort Chloe she too couldn't explain why the boys had done it. Why they had invaded her privacy and made her feel this way. All Ivy could say was that they were stupid boys, but that she truly didn't think they meant to hurt her, whatever it was they were up to. To Chloe it seemed almost clear, like there was only one answer. They thought she was a joke, and they wanted ammunition for their fire.
Sam had texted her apologising and saying he hoped she would let them explain, but she hadn't responded. What was there to explain? They were sneaking around her room and had found their jackpot.
James trying to apologise swam around Chloe's mind so much it made her dizzy and disorientated. But what could he really say to make it better? He had never treated her nicely. He had never let her play with him growing up, unless of course she was there to be piggy in the middle, or put in goal while the boys played soccer, laughing when the ball hit her on the head or she missed it. And she always put up with it because she liked him.
She had seen another side of James that no one else had seen. Chloe couldn't explain it, but perhaps it was because of how much she had watched him over the years. She saw how he didn't love attention, how in school the girls would smile at him and he would bat it away. How smart he was, but he never bragged about it. How athletic he was, how watching him run track was mesmerising, the way he just ran. Like nothing could stop him. The way he could actually be a really good brother, especially to Ben. And the way Chloe had seen him be a good friend to Sam and Zach.
And while Chloe had observed all of this, he had observed nothing about her. He didn't have time for her, so why did she have so much time for him?
Chloe was so consumed in her thoughts she didn't hear her phone ding with a message from Ivy.
Hey Chlo. How are you? Are you coming to the lake today? I know you probably don't want to come, but me, Lily and Grace will be there and we'll make sure you have a great time. Don't worry about any stupid boys.
She also didn't hear her dad knock gently at her bedroom door or his soft, "you okay sweetie?"
With no response from Chloe, a concerned Steve opened her door slightly, poking his head around the solid wood frame to find his daughter laying on the bed very much in her own world. He smiled sympathetically at her and opened the door wider, moving into the room and nudging her foot with his own.
Chloe opened her eyes, jumping slightly at the sudden touch. She sat up, feeling fuzzy headed as she pulled down her head phones, not meeting her dad's worried gaze.
"What's wrong baby?" Steve asked, his voice calm and gentle. He was a very relaxed parent, so was Robin, her strict parenting role only coming out when Tyler tested the boundaries. Chloe had always found it easy to speak to her parents, but this was just too embarrassing.
"I'm fine," Chloe mumbled, reaching for her ipod and turning it off.
Steve stared at her for a moment, his brow lowered as he observed her messy hair, her puffy eyes and her pale face. "No I don't think so," he sighed, sitting on the edge of her bed.
"You haven't been fine since we got back from the community pool the other day. You have barely eaten and you seem to have barricaded yourself in your room."
Chloe hesitantly lifted her eyes until she looked at her dad. "It's too embarrassing daddy, I can't."
Steve sighed patiently, after a moment his lips curved into a soft smile. "You know there's nothing too embarrassing that you can't tell me. You only know half of the embarrassing stories I have from being your age and older."
"Really?" Chloe couldn't help but ask, her heart feeling tight.
"Yep," Steve laughed, getting a bit more comfortable on the bed. "Let's see," he said deep in thought. "Ah! So there was the time I thought working in the Scoops Ahoy in the old mall would impress girls. And maybe it would have worked if I wasn't wearing the lamest sailor outfit."
Chloe couldn't help but laugh, having seen an old photo of her dad in said uniform with Uncle Dustin standing proudly beside him. She could imagine his chat up lines weren't as convincing in that attire.
"Well at least that's where I met your mom," Steve grinned, his eyes glazed over for a second as they filled with memories. He laughed a moment later and turned back to Chloe. "And all throughout high school and the years that followed, I used Farrah Fawcett hairspray to achieve the ultimate hair style."
Chloe sniggered, "who is Farrah Fawcett?"
Steve closed his eyes and shook his head, "that was a low blow."
"Sorry," Chloe smiled, willing her dad to continue.
"I did all sorts of embarrassing things! You know Jonathan Byers?"
"Yeah."
"Well I tried to fight him in front of my friends, I was an idiot back then. And let's just say he beat my ass."
Chloe gasped, "why did you try and fight him?!"
"It's a long story. But let's just say I have a lot to be embarrassed about. So I can assure you that I won't judge you for whatever it is that you think you can't tell me. Because you can tell me anything and you have nothing to be ashamed about."
Chloe hesitated, was this really something she could share with her dad? He was right, he had never judged her before. He had even taken her to Justin Bieber concerts which she was quite sure he had hated. But he would never say it. He still danced with her, still sang the songs and bought the merchandise.
"Something happened when we got back from the pool," Chloe said in one breath, heat rising in her at the thought of reliving the event.
"Oh?" Steve asked, trying to pretend he wasn't worried
Chloe closed her eyes for a minute, trying to summon the courage just to get the words out. Just do it quickly, like taking off a bandaid.
"When we came home, I found James, Sam and Zach in my bedroom. They were...I don't really know. Sneaking around I guess? When I found them they were...um, they were holding my journal and my yearbook was open on an...embarrassing page."
Chloe looked down at her hands, wringing them together slightly in nerves while Steve took in what she had said.
"Right," he said, sounding both confused and relieved at the same time. "So had they read your journal?"
Chloe sighed, looking up at her dad. "I don't know. I mean, if they didn't, they were about to! And the yearbook page…" she covered her face in her hands. "That's embarrassing enough."
"I'm sure it wasn't that embarrassing," Steve said with reproach while Chloe laughed bitterly, reaching for her yearbook which was still under her pillow. With a quick exhale of bravery she flicked to the page in question and showed her dad.
Steve looked at the message, squinting slightly as he read who it was off and then noticed the red hearts drawn all around it. He smiled cautiously and quickly went back to a serious expression at the look in his daughter's face.
"Okay," he said with a slow exhale, processing what he believed to be the problem. "So James, Sam and Zach found this yearbook and saw this page, and now they know how you feel. And you feel - "
"Humiliated."
"Humiliated yes. And they were also in your room so you feel like they were invading your privacy. Do you think they were looking specifically for this?"
"I don't know," Chloe answered honestly, her face still filled with pain. "I just know that James knows how I feel now, and he already thinks I'm a joke and now it's just worse. At least I could pretend I didn't care what he thought and now he knows that's not the case. He's laughing at me, they all are!"
Steve frowned, "is that what happened after you caught them?"
Chloe opened her mouth and shut it again. "Well...no. It was a bit of a blur, I know they did try to apologise but I was too embarrassed dad. I didn't want to hear their lame excuses."
"That's understandable," Steve reasoned. "But they also didn't laugh at you baby. So I don't think they intentionally meant to find that yearbook or your journal."
Chloe went quiet, folding her arms and feeling defensive. Maybe telling her dad was the wrong idea. He just seemed to be on the boy's side.
"Look I'm not defending them," Steve said as if answering her thoughts. "But I remember being that age. Boys can be stupid, we definitely don't mature as quickly as girls do. We're still kids for a long time. I have known those boys all their lives and I don't think they would intentionally hurt you baby. Do I think them snooping around your room and making you feel uncomfortable and embarrassed in your own home is good? Absolutely not. They do need to apologise properly and explain what they were even doing in here. But I just want to remind you that we all make mistakes. I made a lot of mistakes when I was a teenager. Some I am ashamed of." Steve sighed, before reaching for Chloe's hand. She hesitated before letting him give it a gentle squeeze. "They will grow up baby, it just takes time."
"What do I do in the meantime?" Chloe asked, her voice practically pleading for advice.
Steve smiled, his face lighting up. "Now that's an easy answer! You just be your amazing self. You're a Harrington after all! No matter how many times we fall, we get back up."
"It's not that easy," Chloe sighed, smiling slightly despite her deep feelings.
"I know," Steve agreed. "But there is more to life than boys. Don't focus on them, focus on being happy. If I could make you happy I would do it in a heartbeat. But you need to make yourself happy before you should even be worrying about anyone else. And don't worry about what those boys think of you! Focus on what makes you truly happy baby and the rest will follow."
Chloe paused for a moment, taking it all in. It was very overwhelming and she couldn't pretend that her dad's words weren't powerful or made sense, because they did. She raised her shoulders and exhaled a deep breath, trying to rid herself of the shame she had been feeling.
"Thanks daddy," she smiled to Steve's delight. "You are really good at advice."
Her dad grinned, getting off the bed and stretching his arms. "Well I have been giving advice to preteens since I was in high school," he teased. "Honestly you think you have had it bad! The stuff I had to help Dustin with!"
Chloe laughed, cringing slightly at the thought of Uncle Dustin needing dating advice.
Steve walked towards the bedroom door and turned to look at his daughter. "Just promise me you'll try and have fun today?"
Chloe hesitated, mulling over in her head not just everything her dad had said, but the prospect of seeing the boys at the lake. Would it be awkward? Probably. But could she try and have fun? And try to remember that her happiness was more important than some stupid boys? Definitely.
"I promise daddy."
"Good," Steve said with a relieved smile. He was about to leave but he paused once more, looking back at his daughter. "And I wouldn't worry too much about what the future might hold for you and James Wheeler."
"Oh?" Chloe asked, raising her eyebrow.
Steve smiled slightly, shrugging his shoulders. "I see some electricity there."
He didn't elaborate, just left the bedroom, leaving Chloe confused by his wording. She shook her head and just accepted that while her dad was great, he was also a dad. And dad's were weird.
Ivy sat at the kitchen island, her feet moving back and forth as she leaned against the cold counter top texting away to Lisa.
Lisa: So you're telling me you were both in the pool half naked and you didn't try anything?!
Ivy smirked, shaking her head before typing out a response.
Ivy: Our whole family was there Lisa!
Lisa: I'm not a fan of this slow burn Miss Wheeler!
Ivy: Me neither. We're going to the lake today though, so maybe something can happen then?
Lisa: Just kiss him! You know he's dying to kiss you.
Ivy felt her cheeks blush and she was grateful Ben and James were upstairs. They were waiting for their parents to get back from grandma and grandpa Wheeler's house before they headed to the lake.
Ivy: Something has to happen today. I can't take this any longer.
Lisa: Ask him on a date or something.
Ivy bit her lip as an array of butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Asking Ryan on a date sounded so definite. There would be no hiding the gesture as anything else if he didn't feel the same way.
But I think he does feel the same way, her thoughts bravely whispered. Ivy sighed, becoming distracted as there was movement on the stairs. Eggo came down first, panting as she headed towards the french doors, whining slightly to be let out. Ivy reached out her hand and unlocked the door with her mind. The handle turned itself and Eggo nudged it, happily running into the garden.
"I was about to let her out," James's moody voice came as he trudged towards the fridge. Ivy grimaced watching him for a moment, he was still in his boxers and shirt.
"Well don't you look ready for the lake," she said sarcastically, looking down at her phone to quickly respond to Lisa.
Ivy: I'll let you know how it all goes!
James turned to look at Ivy, a soda can in his hand. "That's because I'm not going." He cracked the can open with his powers and took a sip, moving back towards the stairs.
Ivy frowned, noticing for the first time how tired he looked. "Is this because of Chloe?"
James froze, gulping down the soda in his mouth and wiping at his lips. "No," he said weakly.
Ivy rolled her eyes, "that was the most pathetic no I have ever heard. This is the perfect opportunity to apologise to her, so you need to go."
James laughed turning to his sister, "I already tried to apologise to her Ivy. She didn't want to know what I had to say and told me to leave."
Ivy sighed, "James," she said seriously. "That moment for her was awful okay? The emotions of it all would have been very overwhelming. She's had a few days now to process everything, so this could be the time where she will listen to you. Just be honest with her."
James hesitated, looking down at his soda can. "I don't know…"
Ivy couldn't believe what she was about to say. "Listen James. I know we fight a lot, but I know that deep down you're a really good person and that you made a mistake. You've got an opportunity to fix that mistake. You don't just owe it to Chloe but you owe it to yourself. You've been a mess since then. Surely it will make you feel better to just say your peace?"
James was quiet for a moment, if it was from Ivy's words or the fact that she complimented him, she wasn't sure. He eventually nodded.
"Okay...I'll...I'll come to the lake."
Ivy smiled, feeling relieved that she had managed to get through to him. "Good," she said, pleased with his response. "Now go and have a shower because you stink."
"Love you too," James mumbled before going back up the stairs, leaving Ivy grinning to herself as she quickly grabbed her phone, sending a text message to Chloe to make sure she was coming.
An hour later when Chloe responded saying she would be there, Ivy practically cheered, hopeful that her brother could resolve the stupid situation he had gotten himself into.
This was followed by the sound of a car crunching the gravel as it pulled up in front of the house. "Mom and dad are here!" Ivy shouted up the stairs to her brothers. She grabbed her bag, lifting it onto her shoulder and smiled.
If James could be brave and talk to Chloe, Ivy could be brave and talk to Ryan. She was determined. She was not leaving the lake without a date.
James rested his head against the glass window in the back of the volvo as the Wheeler family drove to the lake. The road was slightly bumpy but he didn't mind when it vibrated the glass, it almost helped release some of the tension James could feel building up inside of him.
The car was filled with voices. His dad moaning about his lobster legs, his mom telling him to put more cream on them, Ivy telling Ben that she was going to try windsurfing and Ben responding that he wanted to go in a canoe.
James couldn't think of anything over than the bubbling nerves in his stomach at the prospect of talking to Chloe. Why wasn't it just easy to say sorry? It was a lot more complicated than that. Yes he wanted to apologise but he wanted to tell Chloe why they were searching in her room. If he outright said they thought she was Bieblove, would she either be confused and tell him off for searching her room when she wasn't even the mysterious gamer. Or was she the mysterious gamer and would she be so embarrassed that she was caught out, that they just went back to step 1?
James wanted to scream with frustration. Since the moment Chloe had caught them, James hadn't felt right. He was off his food, he couldn't sleep properly. He kept thinking about her and he didn't know why. He thought it might be guilt.
Sam and Zach had felt pretty bad too, but they seemed to have taken the approach that Chloe would forgive them eventually. They hadn't taken it to heart as much as James seemed to have done, which was another thing he couldn't explain.
Was it because of the way she had shouted at him? The emotion in her face? Or the fact that she liked him? Or at least had liked him. James frowned; that was another thing he didn't know how to bring up with Chloe. Did he mention the yearbook? Did he tell her she didn't need to feel embarrassed by putting hearts around his message? That it was okay? Was it okay?
James rubbed at his temple, wishing that these complicated thoughts would just leave him alone. He just wanted clarity.
"Here we are!" El called with excitement, driving slowly down to the small parking lot beside the lake. "Ah good, it's not too busy."
"Looks like the party is already here," Mike said with a smile, squinting down at the lake where he could see Dustin and Lucas carrying between them a large cooler.
"All of them?" Ivy and James said in unison, both as apprehensive as the other.
Mike nodded, turning in his seat to smile at his kids, "yeah looks that way."
James was so filled with nerves he thought he might be sick. He gulped, desperate for some fresh air. Ivy was impatiently waiting for El to pull up, her eyes trying to find Ryan.
El parked next to the Sinclair's and sighed happily, pleased that it was a beautiful day and the vast water in front of them was sparkling blue under the sun. She turned to Mike with a slight smile, "are you going to allow me to coat you in suncream today?"
Mike laughed feebly, "absolutely."
"That sounds disgusting coming from you two," Ivy commented, her nose scrunched in disgust as she opened the car door.
"Agreed," James muttered, not needing any more sickness to be added to his nausea.
"Gross," Ben sighed, secretly just wanting to look cool to his siblings as he shuffled himself towards the open car door and got out, leaving their parents alone.
Mike and El looked at each other in dismay for a moment before bursting out laughing.
"Our children are so lovely," El exclaimed gratefully while Mike sniggered. He leaned in and kissed his wife. Their lips lingered for a moment, their hearts falling into a peaceful lull.
As they slowly pulled out of the kiss, Mike sighed happily, his arm reaching around El, his fingers playing with her curly hair. "Don't think I haven't forgotten the proposal of chucking the kids out for the night and having some alone time."
El grinned, leaning into Mike's touch. "Oh I know," she said wisely before her eyes flickered to Mike's legs. "But we might need to get those sorted out first."
Mike groaned and looked down at his sunburnt legs. "I promise I'll try everything, I'll even bathe in milk!"
El laughed, undoing her seat belt and getting out of the car. "You work on that honey and I'm all yours," she said with a wink, making Mike grin as he made a mental note to Google all types of remedies for sunburn.
James, Ivy and El helped Mike get the bags out of the trunk. There were lunch boxes filled with sandwiches, bags of chips and of course the home made goods from Karen.
Ivy sniffed like a bloodhound, her eyebrows raising. "What's that I smell?!"
El laughed, "perhaps grandma Wheeler gave us some treats. You can all have some if you're good."
"Ooh I bet it's cookies," Ivy sighed happily to Ben as she was handed a couple of bags from El.
"Well keep out of trouble and you'll find out," Mike teased as he gave James a few of the deck chairs.
"Yeah it's cookies," Ivy whispered to herself, sniffing one of the bags she was handed. "I can smell chocolate a mile off."
Mike put a backpack on and grabbed the last chairs, closing the trunk and turning to his family. "Right let's go," he said happily, leading the way. Ben, El and Ivy followed with excitement, James looked more like he was being led to his death.
He could see Chloe, she was talking to someone in the boat house with Grace and Lily. James wondered what she was doing until the man pointed to a canoe and the girls handed over some cash to him.
As the Wheelers got closer to the group and Chloe was walking back with the twins, the three of them holding the boat up impressively, she finally caught James's gaze. She looked at him for a moment and James felt his heart suddenly beat. It was probably only a few seconds, but it did something to him. He couldn't explain it, but when she looked away he wished she hadn't.
Mike was right, the whole party was already there. The Byers, the Sinclairs, the Harringtons, the Hendersons and the Hoppers.
"Hey grandad!" Ben shouted to Hopper who turned from where he had been talking to Lucas, a beer can in his hand.
"Hey bud!" Hopper called back, his face lighting up at seeing his grandchildren. He turned to El who waved over at him, he smiled at her before his eyes were completely distracted by Mike's legs.
"Please tell me those are red leggings Wheeler. You couldn't have been that stupid?"
Mike sighed, slightly out of breath as he dropped off the chairs and stuff he had been holding by the empty fire pit.
"Afraid not Hop. I didn't listen to your daughter and this is what happened."
Max and Lucas were sniggering, Dustin shouted, "they're worse than the other day!" And Will just tried not to laugh thinking that Mike could do with at least one sympathetic friend.
"Try some aloe vera Mike," Laura said from her deck chair. "Drink plenty of water so you don't get dehydrated. And you should probably stay under the parasol."
"Thank you Dr Henderson," Mike responded, genuinely grateful. "In fact if you know any other remedies will you let me know?!" He tried to pretend he didn't see the way El smirked at him.
"Have you got the sandwiches?" Dustin asked, appearing by El's side, trying to peak his nose into one of the bags.
"Yes," El laughed, hitting him with the bag. "But let me just unpack first okay?"
Dustin tried to nod patiently and took a seat next to his wife.
Once James had put the chairs down, he went over to Sam and Zach who were both taking soda cans out of the cooler.
"Have you guys spoken to Chloe?" he asked them immediately, turning to look over his shoulder at where Steve and Robin were helping the girls get the canoe into the water.
"Sort of," Sam said, standing back up with his cold can. "We apologised as soon as she got here. We told her we were trying to find evidence that she was a mystery gamer."
James couldn't help his curiosity, "and what did she say to that?"
"Well she kind of just looked confused," Zach admitted, Sam nodding in agreement. "But I mean she could have just been playing us and just didn't want to admit it."
James sighed, "well we definitely won't find the answer lurking in her room. I think we've learnt that lesson."
"Definitely," Sam and Zach said together, looking equally as guilty.
James looked over at Chloe again. She was climbing into the boat, a life jacket on her petite frame as she laughed with the twins.
"And that was it?" he asked the boys while still staring at Chloe. "Did she forgive you?"
Sam shrugged, "she just said okay. I've known her a long time, I'm sure she will forgive us eventually. But the awkward bit is at least out of the way now."
"Not for me," James whispered, his heart beat only seemed to get louder as he watched her. She was moving away from the shore now, getting further away. Without even meaning to, James found himself saying "let's get a canoe."
Ivy had walked down with her family to the group feeling confident. She was getting that date no matter what. Her eyes scoured the party for Ryan and she frowned for a moment, confused where he was. She expanded her search, her hand above her eyes as she tried to see through the sun rays.
Ah there he was, swimming. Looking like a god. Ivy admired him for a moment before clenching her fists in determination and setting off towards the water, before forgetting she still had her dress on. She huffed at the inconvenience and headed back to camp, taking off her dress and revealing her swimsuit. She had just gone for a red one today. Maybe Ryan would think she was Baywatch vibes or something. Shame I don't have the boobs from Baywatch!
"Right," she whispered, steering herself towards the water again. "Take two."
It wasn't until she was quite close to the water's edge that Ryan spotted her. "Well hello there!" he shouted, before floating on his back.
"Hey!" Ivy called back, suddenly feeling nervous.
"You coming in?" he asked her, moving into an upright position in the water. His strong arms keeping him afloat.
"Of course," Ivy laughed just as her feet entered the water. She practically shrieked, "It's freezing!"
Ryan laughed, his eyes filled with mirth as he watched Ivy, her arms wrapping around her body. "It's not that bad! I promise you that you'll get used to it. Where the sun is on the water it's warmer."
"Are you lying to me?" Ivy shouted to him as she stared at the lake.
Ryan rolled his eyes and started swimming towards her. "I'd never lie to you idiot, now get in."
Ivy hesitated, before taking a few more steps into the water. "No, can't do it," she said, shaking her head.
Ryan laughed, his lips pursed for a moment in thought before he smiled. "I've got an idea."
Ivy looked at him suspiciously as he swam the rest of the way until he was able to stand. He got out of the water, Ivy's cold body suddenly flushed with heat at the way the water droplets ran down his skin. Her mouth was suddenly dry and she blinked, trying to concentrate.
"Take my hand and we'll run in together," Ryan concluded, holding out his hand to Ivy.
She laughed looking at it, "I don't think so!"
Ryan sighed, "I thought you might say that. So I have come up with an alternative solution." A mischievous grin captured his lips and Ivy knew what he was planning.
"No, no!" she squealed as she tried to get away from him, but it was too late. Ryan scooped Ivy up and ran into the water. She screamed as they practically dived under the surface. Her whole body drenched.
Ivy gasped as she rose to the top, spluttering while Ryan laughed beside her. "You are an absolute - "
"Genius?" Ryan offered as Ivy splashed him in the face.
Ivy had more choice words but she couldn't stop herself from smiling, her cheeks warming up as her body remembered the feeling of being swept up into Ryan's arms, her body against his. How could she be mad at that?
She stretched her arms out and sighed looking at him, smiling despite her initial annoyance. "You were right, it's pretty warm under the sun."
Ryan grinned, "see? You just need to trust me more."
Ivy took a heavy breath, her heart hammering in her chest as she looked at the man she loved. "You're right, I do. In fact I...I was wondering - "
"Hey guys!" the twins and Chloe waved from the canoe as they passed.
"Hi," Ivy called back, putting a fake smile on her face, annoyed at the interruption.
"That looks fun," Ryan shouted to the girls who looked back at him.
"It is!" Lily said as they circled back to the couple. "I think the boys are getting a canoe as well."
"Hey we should race!" Grace shouted, her face lit up in excitement. "Boys vs girls!"
Ryan turned to Ivy, "you up for that?"
Ivy wanted to say no. She wanted to say 'well actually, I wanted to ask you on a date'. But she could see the boyish eagerness in Ryan's eyes and relented. "Yes let's do it."
"Hey guys!" Ryan called to James, Zach and Sam who were carrying their canoe to the water edge. "Fancy a race? Girls vs boys?"
"Yeah!" called Zach and Sam. James didn't answer, his gaze went to the girls canoe where they were helping Ivy in.
"We don't have enough life jackets," James stated, shrugging his shoulders. "Sorry man."
Ryan laughed, "that's cool, I'll go and ask them for two more."
James opened and closed his mouth, watching the oldest Sinclair child head off to the boathouse.
"What's wrong dude?" Zach asked James, his brow frowned in confusion. "It sounds like fun!"
"Yeah well...will Chloe find it fun?"
Sam smiled patiently at James. "She doesn't hate us. She'll be fine! Hell they'll probably win anyway, they are freakishly strong."
Ryan came back down from the boathouse, a life jacket on his torso with a spare in his hand for Ivy and two extra paddles.
James sighed, "looks like we are doing this then."
Ivy had just been pulled into the girls boat, laughing as she fell in butt first. "Help me up!" she giggled to the twins who both held out a hand to her.
"Thanks," she smiled sitting up properly. Ivy turned to Chloe who was sitting at the back of the canoe. "How are you doing?"
"Good," Chloe said with a small smile. "I mean...I wouldn't say I'm completely comfortable with the guys right now. Especially James. But I had a good talk with my dad and he made me see the bigger picture."
"Really?" Ivy asked in slight awe. She couldn't imagine talking to her dad about boys, especially not with how protective he had been over Ryan. And that was just when they were friends. Ivy felt like they were a lot more than friends now, and she hoped the signals that Ryan gave her meant that he felt the same way. She reminded herself to ask him on a date, no matter what distractions took place that day.
"Yeah really," Chloe laughed. "Dad is pretty easy to talk to and he just told me to be happy, and not to worry about what other people think. And I think a race sounds fun, so I'm up for it."
"That's the spirit Chloe!" Grace called from the front of the boat, turning back to smile at the girls.
"We're going to kick their asses," Lily said confidently.
The water splashed as the boys canoe came into close contact, Ryan at the back, then James, Sam and Zach.
"Took you long enough!" Ivy teased, specifically at Ryan.
He laughed, passing her a life jacket and a paddle. "Well we are worth waiting for."
Ivy felt her cheeks blush as she took the equipment off Ryan, his words radiating through her. She was thankful to be distracted with putting her life jacket on, securing the belts and positioning her paddle.
"Okay where are we going from?" Lily asked, looking around for a good start line.
"Well why don't we just turn now, so this is our starting point and our finish line can be that red buoy," Ryan offered, pointing out to the bobbing red marker in the water.
"Sounds good to me," Chloe said, more upbeat than Ivy expected. She chanced a glance at her brother and wasn't surprised to find him looking confused. She supposed James expected Chloe to be quiet. Maybe he had always known her to be that way, but Ivy knew that wasn't the real Chloe. She was shy around James, but now it looked like she was trying to change. She wasn't going to let him affect her behaviour any longer. Ivy smiled to herself, proud of the young teenager.
The two canoes were steered in the right direction and they tried to keep them as still as possible, which wasn't the easiest task.
"Alright are we ready?" Ryan asked, not wanting them to linger given the current.
"Yes," the girls and boys answered.
"Ready, set, go!" Ryan shouted as everyone started to move their paddles. They yelled and screamed as they moved forward, the water thrashing as it was hit constantly, both teams wanting to win.
"We've got this!" Zach shouted as the boys took a small lead.
"No way!" Ivy called back, her eyes narrowed in concentration, her jaw tight as she paddled as hard as she could. "Come on girls! We can do this!"
The girls shouted in unison, going into overtime as they took the lead. "Don't look at them!" Ivy yelled, competitiveness taking over. "Just focus on the finish line!"
They gave it everything they had and screamed in victory when they reached the red marker first. The boys came in shortly after, huffing and panting for breath.
"Oh my god my arms are killing me!" Chloe laughed, putting down her paddle and massaging her skin.
"I think I coughed out a lung," Lily said, crouching down as she tried to catch her breath. Grace joined her, beads of sweat on her forehead.
"But we did it!" Ivy said in a hoarse voice, her chest rising and falling dramatically as she looked over at the boys canoe. They were in a similar situation, Ryan was holding his side like he had a stitch but he managed to smile at Ivy.
"Well done girls," he told her through pants.
"Thanks," the girls responded through heavy breaths.
"Race back?" Sam asked feebly, making them all laugh through their exertion.
"Okay this is harder than I imagined," Ivy gasped as she fell off her board for the second time. While some of the party were still on the shore eating sandwiches, cookies and chips, Ivy had joined the Sinclair's as they rented sailboards for windsurfing. Living in California and being an active water sports family, they were already good at it, and even though they had assured Ivy it was light wind today so she would be okay, she still couldn't get the hang of it.
"You're doing a great job!" Ryan encouraged as he circled around her, not just afloat, but moving the rig like a champion.
"No I give up," Ivy shook her head as she fell off once again, moving her wet hair out of her face.
Ryan smiled kindly at her and looked over at the shore, "just give me a minute to get rid of this and then I'll come and help you."
"You don't have to," Ivy sighed, paddling with her feet for a moment as she basked in the sun, the water sparkling around her.
Ryan stared at her, captured by the image. She was like an angel. He blinked and smiled to hide his embarrassment. "I want to help."
Ivy didn't have to wait long before Ryan was back, trying to tell her where to plant her feet, how to jibe and tack. She knew she was hopeless but tried her best, staying on a little longer, trying to find her balance and really control the sailboard and use the wind to her advantage.
"I'm doing it!" Ivy gasped with excitement fifteen minutes later, awkwardly turning in a circle around Ryan.
"Yeah you are," he said with a proud grin, watching her closely, his heart racing at the way her body moved, the way her face lit up in amazement at what she was doing and her beautiful laugh that seemed to electrify every cell in Ryan's body. He was so distracted he almost didn't see her lose her balance when there was a gust of wind, she flailed her arms and fell backwards, Ryan practically catching her as she landed right in front of him. He closed his eyes to try and avoid the splash, but still spluttered slightly from the impact.
"Sorry!" Ivy laughed, turning in the water to make sure Ryan was okay. He shook his short hair, suddenly feeling her hands on his shoulders. He imagined it was to anchor herself, but it sent his heart racing all over again.
They were in such close proximity, he could see the beautiful cluster of freckles over the bridge of her nose and onto the top of her cheekbones. They were gorgeous and he just wanted to count each one.
Ryan realized he was staring at Ivy's face, but when he looked into her dazzling eyes it was to find she was gazing just as intently at him. The moment suddenly seemed so filled with intensity. It was like they were the only two people in the entire lake, all distant noises of splashing, screaming and chatter just died down. It was just the two of them.
"Ryan," Ivy suddenly said, her voice soft and nervous. She took a shaky breath, "do you - "
"Kids! We're starting a fire! Do you want smores?!" Dustin shouted, bringing Ryan and Ivy completely out of their daze. They immediately pulled apart from one another, their cheeks going red as they started to swim towards the shore, both too shook up to speak.
As they started to walk out of the water Ivy tried catching her breath, wanting to kick Dustin and wanting to just grab Ryan's hand and take him away. But the moment they reached the group, El asked Ivy to gather the sticks for marshmallows out of their bag and Ryan was sent to gather some wood.
Ivy frowned watching him go with the boys, her heart still in her throat. Damnit! I AM GETTING THAT DATE!
While Ryan, Zach and Sam headed right to gather chunks of wood and sticks for the fire, James wandered off by himself, going in the opposite direction. He wanted some peace and quiet, feeling very overwhelmed by the day.
He didn't know what he had expected exactly from Chloe but it wasn't this. Yes she didn't seem like she was open to talking to him, but she was talking. In fact she was acting like nothing had happened. Like he wasn't even important enough to bother her. Well it bothered James and he felt frustrated that he didn't know why.
James moved around a few boulders that separated another section of beach. He froze seeing Chloe stood there picking up some thin logs from the edge of the trees. She heard his footsteps and turned to look at him over her shoulder. She seemed surprised by his presence and quickly looked away, picking up a few more logs and then turning.
He wondered if she was going to talk to him but then realised she had only faced him so she could walk back to the group. James could feel his heart beating as she started to move past him, completely blanking him.
"Wait!" he said weakly, cursing his voice for failing at this pivotal moment. Chloe stopped for a moment, but then moved again. James tried to clear his throat and tried again. "Chloe please just let me apologise."
She finally turned to look at him, her face distant as she put down the logs and crossed her arms. "Go on then," she said, her voice more icy than James had ever heard it. It made him nervous.
This was the moment he was waiting for so why was he finding it so difficult to speak? All he knew was that he hated the way Chloe was looking at him. He never wanted her to look at him like that.
She doesn't deserve silence. Just say it!
James took a deep, shaky breath. "I'm really sorry for hurting you Chloe. I never intended to hurt you, I promise. And you know how important promises are in my family," he said with a slight beseeching smile at the end. Chloe didn't smile but equally she didn't walk away.
James tried again, "we shouldn't have gone in your bedroom. That was wrong, I know that. And I knew it at the time. I know the guys have explained why we were there, and I just want to assure you it wasn't to find your journal or...your yearbook."
Chloe flinched at the word yearbook and so James hastened to carry on before he lost her. "I feel really bad about it. I'm really ashamed that we hurt you. That...I hurt you. I am hoping we can move past this, that you will accept our apology and that maybe we can be friends again."
Chloe looked at James, the bitterness slowly melted from her face. But it was not replaced with happiness, if anything, she looked sad.
"But that's the thing," she mumbled, looking down. "Were we ever even friends?"
The sentence hurt James more than he wanted to admit, but he tried to continue nonetheless. "I...um, I like to think we were friends."
"Do you even know anything about me James?" Chloe asked, smiling sadly, her eyes looking pained.
"You love Justin Bieber," James piped up hopefully.
Chloe rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Everyone knows that." She started to pick up her logs and James watched her, feeling frustrated.
"I don't know what you want me to do," he admitted, feeling a sense of irritation building up inside of him. "I apologise, I say I want to be friends and you're just being…"
"Being what?" Chloe asked, standing up with her logs tucked against her arms. She gave him a defiant look, wanting him to finish his sentence.
"Cold."
Chloe smiled slightly, a bitterness back in her look. She turned to leave, taking a few steps before turning back to look at James. "If it's forgiveness that you want, then fine. I forgive you, Sam and Zach for snooping in my bedroom. But that's it. You don't know me James, maybe one day you will."
James was at a loss for words as he watched Chloe leave. He felt anger building up inside of him mixed with a horrible sickness in the pit of his stomach. It was as if he wanted to kick something, scream and cry all at the same time. He stormed over to the trees, kicking a rock which broke in half, his powers out of control. Adrenaline filled his veins and he gasped, collapsing onto the sand as he tried to catch his breath, his head in his hands.
James felt infuriated. He gave her a sincere apology, he said he wanted to be friends and she practically laughed in his face! Why do I even care?! James argued with himself. If he had been told a month ago that Chloe Harrington didn't care about having James Wheeler in her life he probably would have cheered. No more silly rumours, no more kissing noises from his friends teasing him.
But today, sitting on the edge of a lake with only his feelings, he realised that Chloe Harrington wanting nothing to do with James Wheeler was the worst thing that could ever happen to him.
He walked back in a daze, confused that the fire was already going, that the party were already starting to eat smores and roast marshmallows, the sweet fragrance filling the evening air.
James took a seat next to Sam, practically collapsing into the chair. He didn't even look up from the flames, not wanting to see Chloe's face or meet his father's eye. He knew he was being watched.
He didn't know how much time had gone when he heard Max saying, "we should do some songs!"
"Yeah!" El and Jen cheered.
"Who is our lucky first victim?" Lucas laughed looking around the group.
"Oh honey, why don't you sing that Pitch Perfect song you like," Robin encouraged Chloe who immediately started shaking her head while most of the group cheered her on.
"I love that song!" Ivy exclaimed from where she sat in front of the fire with Ryan. "Hey Chlo I'll join in the chorus with you if you want?"
Chloe looked a little less shy at this prospect. "Okay," she grinned. "Mom did you bring your guitar?"
Robin laughed, "of course!" She jumped up from the log she had been sitting on and hurried to the car.
Robin returned to cheers as she lifted her guitar triumphantly. She settled back down on the log, and cleared her throat, looking at Chloe and giving her the nod.
The soft tune came beautifully out of the guitar, filling the starry night with a perfect partner.
"I got my ticket for the long way 'round, two bottles of whiskey for the way. And I sure would like some sweet company, and I'm leaving tomorrow, what do you say?"
James slowly lifted his head as Chloe's singing hit his ears. His heartbeat picked up as he watched her. She was sitting in a chair, leaning forward slightly as she sang, her head moving to the acoustic guitar as she stared into the flames, making her eyes look magical.
He suddenly felt captivated. He had heard her sing in musicals but it was nothing like this. This was raw. Just her and a guitar. Her voice was like warm rain on a summer's day, it showered over James, awakening his senses. And he looked at her, really looked at her. Her light brown hair as it flowed around her soft face, tickling her pale skin. Her full lips as she sang with passion, the way her green eyes closed as she really got into the music. She was powerful, talented and beautiful and James couldn't understand why he hadn't seen it before.
"When I'm gone! When I'm gone! You're gonna miss me when I'm gone. You're gonna miss me by my walk, you're gonna miss me by my talk, oh. You're gonna miss me when I'm gone."
James had clarity now.
Ryan couldn't help but nod his head to the music, his arms rested on his tucked up knees as Ivy sang along to the campfire songs beside him. He smiled watching her, her voice so mesmerising to him.
The fire flickered beautifully, lighting up their surroundings with a warm glow. The moon shone brightly ahead, making them feel protected underneath its pearly sheen.
"When the night has come, and the land is dark. And the moon is the only light we'll see," Ivy sang, her fingers tapping on her knees. "No I won't be afraid, oh I won't be afraid. Just as long as you stand, stand by me."
All of the adults, the twins and Chloe joined in for the chorus. Ryan smiled shyly and found himself singing as well. Ivy looked at him, her lips curved into a grin as they sang together.
"So darling, darling, stand by me, oh stand by me. Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me."
Ryan couldn't stop the emotion that fueled his body as he sang with Ivy, watching her sparkling eyes as she looked at him, his heart in his throat, his stomach filled with butterflies. No one made him feel the way she did. She was everything to him and being with her was the best feeling Ryan had ever experienced. It felt like he just existed until the moment he had Ivy by his side, then everything made sense. Like two jigsaw pieces. She had always been his jigsaw piece, from the day they were born.
Without thinking, Ryan reached for Ivy's hand. She stopped singing, shocked by his action. The rest of the group didn't notice, they carried on chanting while the roaring fire gave the young couple some privacy.
Ivy's lips were pursed as if she was holding in a breath. Ryan felt like he was too and yet it was so simple. He only had to say the words he had been dying to say since he had returned to Hawkins. They came out easier than he thought.
"Will you go on a date with me?"
Ivy exhaled her shaky breath and did something Ryan wasn't expecting. She didn't kiss him, she didn't say yes, she just laughed. He winced, trying to retract his hand from hers. He definitely didn't expect this reaction and immediately reprimanded himself for being so open. Well you've fucked this friendship up haven't you! Well done idiot!
But to Ryan's surprise, Ivy tightened her grip on his hand and a wide smile lifted her cheeks. She giggled again and leaned in. "Well you sir just stole my thunder. I have been trying to ask you on a date all day!"
Ryan blinked trying to take in what Ivy had said and then found himself foolishly laughing too. "You're serious?!"
Ivy grinned, nodding her head. "Yes! And I kept getting interrupted."
Ryan couldn't stop himself from beaming with happiness, everything suddenly felt right in the world. He felt like he could run towards the lake and he would walk on water. He felt invincible.
"So is that yes then?" He asked, leaning in with a big grin on his face.
Ivy smiled, her teeth looking even whiter from the glow of the fire. "Yes! It's about time Mr Sinclair."
He nodded, taking a deep breath, trying to exhale all the nerves that had built up inside of him. He smiled at Ivy, only one word coming to mind to say.
"Cool."
Ivy grinned, her shoulders lowering as if she too had just relieved some tension. She looked at him, her lips in such a wide smile Ryan knew her cheeks would be aching soon.
"Cool," she agreed, both of them turning to look at the flames, the music filling the air, the smell of the crackling fire in their nostrils, the joy of being around the people they loved as their hands tightly entwined together.
AN: Thank you so much for reading! Please leave a review if you can, it's my payment for spending all day writing haha
Take care everyone, until next time! 😊