Teaching Noah | √

BY THE TIME me and Camden pulled away, we were breathless, but I hadn't had enough. Wanting more, and feeling confidence build in me, I pressed my lips back to his. It was clear he wasn't expecting the action, but he went with it and wrapped his arm around my waist. With the way he kissed me back, I knew it was something he had wanted to do for a while now, and my mind went back to the time I was at his house; the way his gaze had dropped to my lips. Yes, that must have been the time.

When we finally broke apart, our breaths were a bit ragged and uneven. Camden brushed a thumb across my cheek, his eyes fixed on mine, "I like you, Riley."

I swallowed, feeling butterflies in my stomach. I loved the way he looked at me, and before I tried to tell him how I felt too, he quickly added, "Scratch that, I really like you, Riley."

I felt a smile slowly spread across my face, "I really like you too, Camden."

His face was etched with relief and surprise, but I didn't know why he would be surprised. If anything, I should be surprised. We had spent a lot of time together, but I didn't think it was enough for him to fall for me.

"So, what happens?" I spoke up, licking my lip in a swift motion as I looked at him, "I— I don't think I'm exactly ready for a—"

"You want to take things slow?" His fingers dropped to my fingers and he took them in his.

"Yeah," I nodded. "If that's okay with you."

"It's more than okay. We can do whatever on your terms," he chuckled, then paused. "You're cute, come here." He pulled me into his arms. I hugged him back, and that was where I spent the following hours.

I liked it here.

❀

"Your nose is literally perfect, I shouldn't be contouring it," I said as I went ahead to draw a line of dark concealer down her nose.

"You know, I don't even care what you do, I trust you to make me look good," Lennon winked through the mirror, causing me to chuckle.

Despite the number of times Lennon had convinced herself that it would be good if she knew how to do her own make up, she somehow still ended up running back to me if she ever needed to get glammed up.

The amount of people who followed Lennon's dessert board on Pinterest had somehow turned into followers on her other social media accounts, and so she tried to update them with pictures from time to time. It was when she needed to do this that she scurried to me, apart from days when she was giving off her natural looks.

"I wish River was around," she sighed.

It was always fun watching River do small photo shoots for Lennon. Of course, she would have to beg him and sometimes pay him with desserts, but River always took the best pictures of her.

River always took the best pictures of anyone, period.

"You're hella photogenic, plus you know just how you take those gorgeous pictures of yourself, so you're good," I told her sincerely. By this time, I was brushing off some setting powder off her face with powder.

"Okay, random thought," Lennon began after a moment of silence. "Wouldn't it be sick if your mom and Simon had a thing?"

"What?" I chuckled softly, an eyebrow raised. I definitely didn't see that one coming. "That was so...random."

"It's just, Simon's really cool, and too good-looking for his age. Your mom on the other hand, is one of the most beautiful and amazing people I know."

"I can't believe you'd bring that up," I didn't stop to look at her as I applied some bronzer to her face.

"I'm sorry," Lennon looked at me with a somber expression.

"I'm not offended."

I really wasn't. I had thought about Mom moving on so many times. I knew she needed some other kind of support system sometimes. She had been alone for years, doing everything all by herself. She did need someone, but it just felt wrong because no matter what, she was still legally married to dad and we had no idea what was happening with him.

"You're quiet," I heard Lennon say.

"Yeah, you gave me something to think about, you idiot."

"I know how you feel about your dad and everything, and it was quite insensitive of me to even bring it up in the first place. I just look at your mom sometimes and think she deserves to be happy, if you know what I mean."

I nodded, "I know what you mean, and I think so too." I spread some nude lipstick across Lennon's lips, "Smack your lips." Lennon did as I instructed and the action reminded me of my own actions of the day before.

"We kissed," I cleared my throat. "Me and Camden."

Lennon's eyes went wide, "What? No way. When and how did it happen?"

"Last night," I answered and smiled when I remembered how Camden had asked to kiss me, "we were outside talking and he asked to kiss me."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he has a thing for you," Lennon commented as she examined herself in the mirror.

Finishing my work on her face, I nodded with a smile on my face as I pressed some setting spray all over her face, "He told me that too."

"I mean, with everything you told me about your adventures, it did seem like he had the hots for you."

"I almost couldn't believe it."

"What's there not to believe? Where's the sanguine Riley I know?" Lennon looked radiant, and her dimples deepened as a grin slowly formed on her face. Pulling her hair bond out of her hair, she reached for my hairbrush, "So, what did you say to him?"

I racked my head for a sarcastic reply and bit back a smile, "Well, I—"

"And, don't think I have the time for your sarcasm. I will throw my shoe at you."

I laughed. She knew me too well. "Of course, I told him I liked him too. I really do. I love being around him, but I asked that we take things slow."

As much as I liked Camden, I wasn't sure I was ready to be in a relationship yet. It made no sense, but it made sense to me in a way, so I voiced my thoughts to Lennon who nodded in understanding, "It's fine, Riley. Don't stress it or feel pressured or in a hurry for anything. I know people usually have a thing against taking things slow. Some people feel it's a waste of time, or just a way to avoid being in a relationship, but if he's willing to take things slow too, then it's fine. Just as long as you're being sincere with each other about your feelings. You have so much time to keep being in each other's lives."

I took in her words, "You're right."

"I'm happy when you're happy, that's it," Lennon smiled at me. "But leave it to Coco to come in when we're about to have a cute best friend moment."

I chuckled as I watched Coco run into the room, and to Lennon's side. She nudged Lennon's leg, and she in return, lifted them up, "Shoo!"

I picked Coco up, kissing her head, "What's your problem, Lennon? Coco adores you."

Soon, we were walking down the stairs, Coco in my arms.

"Are those coconut bites I smell?" Lennon sniffed, and we turned to each other, "Race you to the kitchen!" She called, and it was no surprise that she got there before me. Lennon was right, there were coconut bites seated on the counter waiting to be refrigerated.

"Whoa, Lennon honey, you look so good," Mom said to her.

"Why, thank you," she playfully flipped her hair. "Thanks to Riley."

Mom chuckled as she looked at me, "Simon called and asked of you. He sent his greetings. And he told me to remind you that you're hanging with him and the boys tomorrow."

Lennon looked at me immediately with an ecstatic look as she mouthed to me, "Isn't that a sign?"

❀

how do we feel about Camden?