Thus with a Kiss

Chapter ten

Paige

I can’t sleep, despite the fact that I’ve been lying in bed now for at least an hour. My mind keeps going back to that text I sent Law and how he still hasn’t replied. I think it’s just about time that I throw either my phone, or myself, or maybe even both, out of the window, out of the sheer embarrassment of it all.

‘Whoever said you’re forgettable, clearly needed to get their eyes checked’, what came over me? Clearly it was a heat-of-the-moment thing or I’ve been possessed; there’s simply no other reason I would send that – it’s too cringe, too forward, so unlike what I’d normally do. Normally I shy away from most forms of social interaction, from humanly interest, because it’s the only way I can guarantee that no one will hurt me. But not with Law, all I want is to know him. It’s intrinsic, this pull I feel towards him, like the universe wants me to be with him – and how can I fight the universe? 

I can’t.

Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I head to the bathroom to fill up my water bottle. I don’t turn the light on, instead I let instinct and routine guide me safely through my bedroom, into the hallway, and finally into the bathroom with little complication. Even though I’m not ten years old anymore, years of watching Supernatural has forced me away from looking at my reflection in the dead of night, unreasonably scared of who else I might see in the mirror if I look close enough. So I keep my eyes down and watch as the water spills out of the tap, filling my bottle up until it’s close to spilling. Turning the water off and putting the lid back on my bottle, I head back to bed with little hope of actually being able to sleep. 

Just as I’m pulling the covers over myself, my phone vibrates, casting a milky glow in my otherwise dark room. My heart skips a little with the possibility of who it might be. I mean, it’s 12:05 am, I rarely get text messages from my friends in daylight hours, let alone in the dead of night. I feel sick with anticipation, unsure whether to check to see who it is or to try and get some sleep. But who am I kidding? Until I check that text message, there is absolutely no way that I’m getting any sleep.

‘Didn’t realise you were paying close enough attention to notice, with you running out on me and all’. The text from Law is both playful and serious at the same time. If only he knew how desperately I wish I could go back to the coffee shop and stop my mind from overthinking, my body from going into a near panic attack. I just find life so overwhelming at times, even if I’m having a good day, that being in my own company is way easier.

‘I’m sorry about the other day, there’s no easy way to explain it. Let me make it up to you at least? 😊’, I add a smiley face to the end of my reply, hoping it will make it seem more sincere, but who really knows? In age full of computers and gadgets, we’re at the mercy of each other’s ability to decipher everything through a screen. 

‘You doing much now?’ What could he think I’d be doing other than trying to sleep at half 12 in the morning. Unless…

My phone beeps again with another text from Law.

‘Not how I meant that to come across… there’s a late showing of Scream in the park. I thought it would be cool to go?’ Oh, at least he wasn’t just after what most boys are, unless this is his way into it.

I can’t sleep so I guess I have nothing to lose by going and I can’t deny the tiny butterflies that swirl in stomach when I think of his dark, depthless eyes.

‘Sure why not- meet you there in 10 minutes?’ I smile at my screen as I hit send. Rolling out of bed, I throw on the nearest clothes I can find and go to the bathroom to give myself a quick once over. My hair is a little messy but whose isn’t after tossing and turning unable to sleep?

I pull on shoes and an oversized sweatshirt as I head to the door, double checking I have my keys. As I’m locking up behind me, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

‘See you soon Paige’. My legs trembles slightly as I walk both anxious and excited to see where the night will take me.

‘See you soon’, I type back.