Started with a babe

Ever since I told my friends the entire story it felt like this huge weight was lifted off my chest. I felt so much free-er and I'm so glad I don't have to hide things from them anymore.

I put on my earphones as I skateboard to school. 

"Sometimes I don't wanna be happy.."

I enter the school building and get my books out of my locker. I pull my earphones out of my ears as I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn around and find Wilder leaning against a locker.

"Well hey there." I grin. 

"Hey." he says flirtatiously, "You look good."

I look at him confused. I'm wearing an oversized sweatshirt and black leggings and my hair's in a messy bun. Average stuff.

"But then again, you always look good." he says with a wink.

"You look hot." I say bluntly. I gasp when I realize what I just said and my cheeks burn red.

Wilder's eyes widen and looks at me with new interest. "I know I am but I didn't know you knew." he says.

"I uhm I have to go." I say, slamming my locker door shut and speed walking awkwardly to my first class.

-

"Yeah there's supposed to be a meteor shower tonight. OMG WILDER WE SHOULD TAKE THEM TO THE COTTAGE." Zack says excitedly.

"The cottage?" I ask, confused.

"Yeah this really cool place Wilder and I found which is walking distance from the lake!" he exclaims.

"Yeah it's sorta a getaway spot. It's not much but it's helped us get through the years." Wilder adds. 

"Oh my god yes I can't wait!" Iris squeals. "It would be so romant-" she clears her throat. "I mean uhh it would be so cool." she says meeting Zack's eyes.

"Nice save." I snort.

Zack and Iris look away embarrassed and Wilder and I share a knowing glance.

-

"It should be right around the corner." Wilder calls back. 

"Omg when are we gonna get there? Are you taking us deep into the woods to murder us and bury our bodies? It won't work I know karat-ay." Iris says while moving her hands around weirdly.

"Here we are! Welcome to our humble abode!" Zack declares as we get to a quaint, little cottage surrounded by an old ivy-entwined picket fence. I look around in awe. It was something right out of a fairytale.

"How did you guys manage to keep this a secret?" I ask.

"The locals never think to come this way. It's a pretty long walk through the woods." Wilder responds.

"Yeah I noticed." I chuckle. 

He gives me a quick smile and beckons me inside the house. I walk inside and see a tiny little gas stove and a cooler. There wasn't much furniture, just a battered looking couch.

Zack opens the cooler and takes out a couple of beers. "C'mon let's go up." he says.

"Up?" Iris asks nervously. 

"It's not that high up you'll be fine." Wilder says and we follow him outside. There was a ladder propped up against the side of the wall that I hadn't noticed because it was covered in ivy.

Wilder and Zack climb up. "You can go first." I tell Iris.

She takes a deep breath and puts her foot on the first rung of the ladder. She stays there for a solid three seconds. "Nonono forget it I can't do this. You guys go on ahead I'll stay down here." she says and backs away.

"Hey it's okay Iris I can sta-" I start to offer.

"I'll stay with her." Zack cuts in eagerly.

I raise an eyebrow at Zack but he ignores me and quickly makes his way back down with four bottles of beer. He puts his arm around Iris and they walk back into the house.

"Guess it's just you and me then." Wilder says with a boyish grin.

"Guess so." I say with a smile.

He moves over and pats the area next to him. I sit down and we stare up at the sky.

"You see that cluster of stars right there?" I ask, pointing at a random group of stars.

"Yeah?" he replies.

"That's the big dipper." I say.

"Woah really?" he exclaims.

"I mean it could be I don't know." I say, giggling.

"Oh god I thought you were into astronomy or something." he says laughing and lays down.

I laugh and lay down next to him. "Can you pass me a beer?" I ask shyly.

"You don't have to be so shy about it, I've seen you drunk out of your mind, I hope you remember. Won't be surprised if you didn't you were pretty wasted." Wilder adds with a laugh.

"I barely recall anything really. I do remember you grinding up against some blonde though." Why did I say that.

"Oh right yeah uhm..." he trails off.

"No please don't explain yourself what you do, or in this case who you do is none of my business." I say. I didn't want to ruin the mood.

"I didn't."

"You didn't what?"

"I didn't sleep with that blonde. I was too busy thinking about someone else to even remember her name." he says shyly.

"Oh yeah? Who?" I say. I'm not dumb. I knew who he was talking about but I wanted to hear him say it.

"Y- oh my god." Wilder says in awe. He points at the sky.

I look up and see a thousand fiery balls of light trailing across the sky. It was the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen in my entire life. I look over at Wilder and see the reflection of the stars on his beautiful emerald eyes and change my mind. That boy was the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen in my life.

"It's absolutely breathtaking." Wilder breathes, his eyes transfixed.

"Yes it really is." I reply, still looking at him.

He turns to me and sees me staring at him. I see him blush and look away. 

"Hey Wilder. I need to tell you something." I say, fidgeting with my fingers, "I really really really like you. Just everything about you. Your gorgeous fucking eyes, that hair oh my lord and when you smile, I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack. And like you're like extremely fun to hang out with. I completely understand if you don't like me the same way though." I add quickly.

"You're joking." he says with his mouth open.

Oh fuck. He doesn't like me back. I feel my heart start to break. 

Wilder notices my expression and quickly says, "NO AS IN you have to be joking if you think I don't like you back! Whenever you laugh or even look at me I feel like I'm the luckiest guy in the whole fucking world. You're...." he struggles to find words, "Just perfect." he settles. He looks into my eyes and leans forward. No. It's going to fast. My mind goes to Jason. That night.

"I-I'm sorry." I say and turn away from him.

"Don't be." he says.

"Wait really?" I ask confused.

He tenses. "That fucking asshole." he mumbles under his breath. "Listen to me okay? When you say no, it means no. If you don't want me to kiss you, say no. If you don't want me to hold you or touch you or anything, say no. I will respect that."

My eyes widen, "Thank you."

"You shouldn't thank me. It's basic human rights." he says sadly.

I process that information. "Can I cuddle against you?" I ask.

He grins, "Yes."