Author's Note: yeah, twice in one night. this one was going to be added to the end of the last one, but my chappies are too long, I'm afraid. Gotta work on that ;)
We reached the park within minutes, and I was shocked. Had we been this close the whole time? I mean, the park was practically my home/base/place to crash.
Ryan led me to one of my favorite benches, in the heart of the park, and we sat down.
"You been here before?" He asked, lounging. I nodded stiffly.
"You been here at night before?" He asked. I nodded again. Ryan grinned.
"Okay, miss smarty-pants. You ever camped out here?" His awesome hazel eyes danced around my face, and I nodded smugly.
For a moment, we just stared at each other. Then, he burst out laughing, and I couldn't help but giggle along with him, though I didn't see what was so funny other than the bubbly feeling in my stomach.
"Alright. I dare you to-"
"You dare me?" I interjected, smiling, "What are we, like, nine?" I asked, and was flooded with a sense of irony. I had never really done dares. Not even as a ten-year-old.
"Yes, we are. And for interrupting me, it's a double-dog dare now. Okay, I double-dog dare you to camp out here tonight with me." He grinned challengingly.
I was quiet for a moment, thinking hard. Yes, of course, I would absolutely love to. But I also didn't trust myself not to freak out every time someone came by. I hadn't been in the park since the white coats.
"You aren't gonna chicken out on me now, are ya?" He asked, smile faltering slightly. I paused, and then shook my head a definite no.
After some planning and a quick text message to Ryan's dad, we were all set. He didn't even remember to have me ask my 'mom', which I was perfectly fine with.
We settled into the roots of a tree. The only thing stopping us from climbing a tree was the bright yellow 'CLIMBING PROHIBITED' signs and the regular police cruisers doing their late rounds.
We talked for a little while, exchanging family stories and likes and dislikes. Most of mine were made up, but Ryan never caught on.
And maybe I was really tired, or maybe I was just comfortable around Ryan; I don't know. But for whatever reason, I was out cold within the hour.
And you know what? It was the best sleep I had had in years. No exaggeration.