A/N: Thanks SOOOO much directly to all you reviewers and readers… I know I don't have many reviews but just the few per chapter is making such an impact… so please keep on reviewing, and this one's dedicated to you guys! Much Love, Aimee.
"… And that's why… I want to ask you a very important question," Bradin continued slowly and cautiously.
Ericka eyed him suspiciously. "Okay then, shoot."
"Well, I know we've only known each other for a whole two, maybe two and a half, hours and I want to know you better. So would you do me the great honor of being my dinner date next Saturday night?"
"Bradin, I'd honestly love to... What about the difference in schools though? If anyone finds out then we're so dead!"
"I don't care. And I don't think you do either. If you do I understand I wouldn't want you to have a bad rep because of me unless you're willing to have one. I don't want to force anything on you honestly. But just so you know, I wouldn't care if the whole world was screaming for me to leave you alone. The only person I would listen to would be you, the ball is in your court here…"
She didn't need words to respond to that. She didn't have any either, so she just threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her petite figure. "I'm taking that as a yes?"
She smiled and whispered in his ear, "Yes, yes, a million times yes."
"Good that's exactly what I wanted to hear." She smiled even bigger if that was even possible.
"So… What do you wanna do now?"
"I don't know… maybe just walk for a bit longer. Then I'll take you home?"
"Sounds wonderful." They started walking again and silence settled over them and as they walked Bradin slipped his hand into Ericka's and intertwined their fingers. Ericka looked down at their hands smiling, admiring the fact that hers fit so well into his. She looked up and found herself staring into his bright green eyes for the second time that night. And also for the second time in that fatal night, they found themselves leaning in without even thinking. Their lips met in yet another perfect kiss, only this time no one had to fall, and no one was staring. They were all alone and happy about it. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip asking for entrance, she was reluctant because she hardly knew him, but gave in thinking; what can it hurt? They stood there under the street light holding hands, and kissing for some time, when suddenly the sky let loose and allowed the rain to fall over them. When the down pour came on it was Ericka who pulled back from the kiss.
"Oh shit!" Bradin laughed at their predicament and at the fact that Ericka had cursed… she just didn't look like the type that would to him. "Oh you think this is funny Mr. Westerly?"
"Kinda… wait how do you know my last name?"
"You're the star quarterback… I think I'd know…"
"Oh haha yeah I guess I forgot… shit, we're getting soaked!"
"Haha yeah we are. Let's go." She grabbed his hand and ran in the direction from which they had come in hopes of making it to the car before the rain got any heavier.
As they ran Bradin began to think about the entire night. "What's yours?"
Ericka looked at him, confused, "What's my what?"
"Last name… you know mine, so what is yours?"
"Oh, it's Marley."
"Ericka Marley. It's nice."
"Why thank you Bradin Westerly."
The next morning Ericka awoke feeling terrible. Her head hurt, her nose was stuffy, her eyes were watering, and her throat burned like crazy. Great she thought to herself… one week until she had to go to school and she was sick, this year was going to be just lovely already. Despite how terribly she felt, she had to smile when she picked up her phone and read the screen which read: one new message from Bradin. She opened it and read.
Hey. Omg last night was soo fun… but I feel horrible right now! Hope you didn't catch it 2! Haha.
~Bradin
She smiled and sent her reply.
Bradin nervously smiled when his phone rang and he saw it was her reply. But he excitedly opened the message and read it.
Haha... no such luck, I have it too. My whole self hurts haha. But last night was worth it ;-) ~ Ericka3
He smiled and said aloud to no one in particular, "Ah she's flirting!"
He smiled and replied to her.
Do you have an AIM account? I don't feel like texting.
Within seconds she replied again.
Yeah! Haha my screen name is CheeringxXxRocks.
He replied
Sweet, mine is Footballer123. I'll be on in like 5 mins.
Within 10 seconds Ericka sprang from her bed and ran to her downstairs computer. Luckily her parents were out of town so she wouldn't catch hell from them because she was talking to a boy that she barely knew. Not that she would've told them about him anyway, but they'd have pried the information out of her and she'd have been caught for sure. She signed into her account as soon as the computer was on and warmed up, and she already had a friend request from none other than Footballer123!
"YAYY!!" she squealed to herself causing her throat to throb. "Okay note to self… yelling is a bad thing for Ericka right now." She clicked add, and started a conversation with him.
CheeringxXxRocks- Hey! Haha what are you doing?
Footballer123- Oh not too much. Talking to you. HBU?
CheeringxXxRocks- Same haha.
Footballer123- You're talking to yourself?
CheeringxXxRocks- Haha you know what I mean silly.
Footballer123- Yeah, but you are so fun to pick on.
CheeringxXxRocks- I'm sticking my tongue out at you!
Footballer123- I just did the same to you! Take that!
CheeringxXxRocks- Haha nice… OMG I feel sooo bad!
Footballer123- I'm sorry. I do too… what is wrong with you?
CheeringxXxRocks- My head and throat hurt and I'm all congested.
Footballer123- Same here. It sucks soo bad!
CheeringxXxRocks- Haha so who so you think had it first?
Footballer123- I'll take the fall for it… I didn't feel the best yesterday so it was probz me.
CheeringxXxRocks- Oh haha… well kissing you was worth getting sick so it's okay.
Footballer123- Thanks… I think.
CheeringxXxRocks123- haha it WAS a compliment and no problem.
Footballer123- Haha… you're worth it too… but I had better not get sick every time I kiss you!
CheeringxXxRocks- Who says we'll ever kiss again? ;-)
Footballer123- well… uh… I do! Haha
CheeringxXxRocks- haha I was totes pulling your leg there! Haha
Footballer123- oh haha… nice! But ohmeway, I was thinking I could pick you up at 7ish Saturday?
CheeringxXxRocks- sounds awesome! Haha. So is this like an official date?
Footballer123- Yup. Haha
CheeringxXxRocks- SWEET! Haha, so I should dress up a bit?
Footballer123- Yes. I am going to.
CheeringxXxRocks- AHH! Haha this rocks SO hard!
Footballer123- haha yeah. Well I g2g to practice now… I hope you feel better. I'll text ya in a bit.
CheeringxXxRocks- Okay… you too. And I'll ttyl then! Byes.
Footballer123- Later.
Ericka jumped from the computer chair and did a spin in the middle of the room, a sort of victory dance in a way. There was just something about him that made her heart sing and made her skin tingle. It was amazing, and she loved it. She had even momentarily forgotten that she was sick. That didn't last long however, for within a minute she was snapped back into reality when a bout of coughs came over her.
"Being sick sucks!!" Her chest heaved as she tried to regain her breath. Once she did, she went back up the stairs and into her room. Then she went into her bathroom, where she took a decongestant and some cough medicine. After that she got back into her bed and fell asleep with a smile on her face.
About two hours later, Bradin stepped in through the door of his house feeling ever sicker that he had that morning. He was sweaty and was in dire need of a shower. So he went to into his room picking out some sweats and a football t-shirt, went into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and got in. he let the hot steam clear his sinuses and relax his muscles. Once he was out of the shower and dressed he too was feeling rather sleepy, so he layed down on the couch letting his mind wander. He thought of Ericka, and about what happened between them the previous night, and couldn't help but smile. Lost in his thoughts, he let sleep overtake him as well.