The Crush Plan

11

The radiating heat fumed around me, not helping the fact I was already wrapped up in woolly clothing. It steamed my insides, causing me to force myself out of the warm, white shawl. The heat level reduced, but my insides were still too heated to concentrate. I shrugged off the need to get some cool air, retracing my attention back on my History textbook, and continuing to search for the pieces of evidence I was in need of to fill out the questionnaire sheet. However, my mind kept drifting off to my sweating forehead, and my body's augmenting dampness.

I shoved the textbook off my lap, groaning in utter annoyance. Sighing, I glanced at the clock hung up on my blue-painted wall. Six PM. I grabbed my phone, clicking on 'weather', and observing it was currently twenty-six Fahrenheit outside. Before I pressed the power button, I sighted the date. Precisely, it had been twenty days since Edith's banquet. My eyes automatically traveled over to the locked door that would lead to the veranda hinged to my room. The plain white curtains had been loosely moved over to the side, making the outside view clear from my stance.

Pushing myself off the bed, I found my feet shuddering in response to the frigidness of the tiles. Immediately, I slipped on my warm, purple Winter slippers, and bundled myself back in the shawl. Warming up my numb feet, I began to stride towards the door. I turned the door latch open, and pushed past the gate that led me to the veranda.

The November air filled my nostrils, refreshing the blaze created on my insides from being in the heat for too long with its cool touch. A smile tugged its way on my lips, as I took small steps to the white balusters. My hand rested on the cool railing, but I didn't mind, since my hands were flaring. I looked on at the outside view, the snow laying on the ground like a blanket, and making me gape in awe.

The trees were naked from the leaves. Little kids had built several snowmen here and there. Two of the children were still playing, swaddled in warm clothing, and yet indulging in a snow fight just for the heck of enjoying the Winter. The brother was around ten, the sister around seven. Obviously, if they were counting the scores, the brother was winning by a whole lot. However, it didn't seem like the sister was minding; she simply wanted to play for a little longer. My smile widened, and I suddenly wished I could have a sibling.

A doorbell chimed from downstairs, indicating there was someone in this wide world who wanted to visit me this cozy evening. I peeked down at my outfit; apart from the shawl and the Winter slippers, I was wearing beige-colored sweatpants. A whiff of air exited my lips, as I skipped through the halls and down the stairs over to the door. Unlocking the door latch, I pulled it open, revealing a warmly-dressed Caden, wearing a sheepish grin on his lips like a little boy. I grinned at the sight, amused by him yet again.

"Hey," I greeted him, despite my obvious internal drooling inside.

He shoved his hands into his pockets. "Your mom home?"

I shook my head. "Come on in."

I had this weird theory going on in my mind that Caden would joke about going outside with me, and playing like those kids. But, who was I kidding? He was the last person who'd want to have a snow fight with me. Instead, Caden simply found his way into my house, and headed straight for the kitchen.

I engaged in getting Caden and I a mug of hot chocolate, so we could feel a bit warmer. Handing him the mug, I decided to take him up to the veranda, and show him the beautiful scenery outside. Sure, we couldn't have our own snow fight, but I could at least enjoy the view while it lasted.

"Hey, let's go upstairs to the veranda by my room," I said, casually sipping from the mug of hot chocolate. "It's nice out there."

He nodded, bouncing up from his seat, as I led him to the staircase and into the hall before my room. Nonchalantly, I just kept walking and whirled around roughly before my room, only to find him a few feet away, staring at a photo hung up on the wall. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, clicking my feet on the ground in rush.

I inhaled, gripping the mug in my hand tighter. "What is it?"

Caden was too dazed to look my way. "Is this your dad?"

"Yeah, there is one picture of him there," I responded, not caring the slightest he was bringing this up.

He gazed back in my way. "Do you miss him?"

I laughed humorlessly. "He's in town, Caden. I see him around—what's there to miss?"

"Do you miss having him around? You know, in the house," he clarified, stepping closer to me.

I shrugged apathetically. "Sometimes. I mean, who would like being in the house alone twenty-four-seven? But, then I realize it's for the best. Mom's happy with Dylan, he's happy with Octavia. But, nobody cares if I'm... Forget it," I gathered myself before I could finish.

Caden smiled, just slightly. "Happy. Nobody cares if you're happy."

"Yeah," I verified, my voice cracking at the end.

He took my other hand—the one without the mug—in his. "Well, think again, Autumn, because there is someone who cares if you're happy." I scoffed softly, obviously confounded. "Me." My eyebrows raised in response. "I care, Autumn."

I smiled, nodding. "Thank you," I whispered.

The two of us made our way to my room, and I guided him over to the balcony that was now slightly covered in snowflakes. It wasn't snowing a few minutes ago, but now it was. Not too much, but just slightly. I set my hand on the railing once again, the coolness making me shiver this time, but I discovered myself enjoying it regardless. Caden stood next to me, our shoulders slightly brushing, as he flashed me another one of his adorable smiles. I returned it, grateful for his presence.

"So, how come you decided to visit me?" I asked him casually.

Caden shrugged, pondering deeply for a second or two. "Just... Felt like seeing you, I guess."

My heart became all fuzzy in response to his words. He wanted to see me? Why? I couldn't help but wonder. I'd always thought I wasn't too good of a company, but here Caden was, proving me wrong. Yet again.

"You know," I began, after taking a small sip from my mug. "I haven't exactly told you the entire story about why my parents divorced."

Caden shook his head instantaneously. "You don't have to. I'm perfectly fine knowing only what I already know."

I chuckled, finding entertainment in his tentativeness on finding out. "Why?"

"Because," he started, and I urged him with my eyes to go on. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable discussing it."

I smiled, trying to reassure him. "I want to tell you, though. It's only fair."

Caden shook his head. "Some other time. Today... You don't seem ready."

"I wouldn't argue that," I said, "because it's true."

He smirked in overconfidence. "I'm always right, you know." I smacked his arm jokingly, glaring at him. "No, but seriously, you don't have to tell me just yet."

I nodded thankfully. "Okay. But, you can tell me about your parents. They're happy—or at least, they seem like they are."

"I can," Caden agreed. "They are happy. I mean, they've had a rough history, but they're happy. My father was just like me in high school. He was well-known around school. Except he was a badder version—a player, you could call it. My mother, she was a nerd. They didn't really have the best rapport, considering the freakish stereotypes. But, they were forced to work in a class project together. Slowly, but surely, they fell in love. And... Here they are."

Amusement struck me. That was to me a story only found in books or movies. That couldn't possibly be real. "Caden," I uttered, making him peer into my eyes curiously. "You have a dreamy life. I mean, your parents have the best love story! How cool is that?"

He merely laughed. "We can always create our own love story," Caden stated, making my heart flutter almost instantly. "I mean, if you want, that is."

"What," I slapped his arm, "are you trying to imply, Caden O'Connor?"

Caden chuckled at the way I worded my question, amused. "I'm just saying... You never know who is meant for you. Sometimes, we have the one right in front of us, and we don't even realize."

My face became blank to his words, for he was right. Caden didn't realize, but that was the case with him. I was right in front of him, but he couldn't see. He wouldn't see. His snapping fingers in front of my eyes brought me out of my trance.

"Are you okay?" Caden questioned, concerned.

I nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I'm fine." His hand reached over to my hair, ruffling it, and I was immediately dumbstruck. "What is it?"

He snickered like a goof. "Your hair's wet from all the snow."

"Oh," I touched my hair for confirmation. Apart from the drenched feel I got, I could survive. "So is yours, by the way," I filled him in.

Caden touched his hair to check. "Oh, yeah. Well, nothing to do about it."

I glanced up at the sky; it was really dark, now. Blame the winter season, but it was bound to turn dark quicker than usually, at this point in the year. My eyes locked onto the mug in my grasp; there was a bit of hot chocolate in there, but now it was cold chocolate. I tightened my shawl around me, warming up.

"Let's go inside," I suggested, and locked the door latch once we were inside.

After handing Caden a towel to dry up, and drying my hair with another towel, I decided to pack up all my books. Once I'd shoved them all into my bag, I whipped around, only to find Caden going through my baby pictures far off to a corner... on the table in between the TV, and the veranda. There was a photo frame collage—six photos, to be exact. All of me, from a baby to a sixteen year-old.

I crossed over to him, linking my arms across my chest.

"You've come a long way, Reeves," Caden countered, admiringly staring at my photos. "And, aw, you were such a cutie back when you were a baby girl."

I giggled to that. "Ah, funny... So, I'm not as cute now, am I?"

A smile curled up his lips. "Hmm... That's a rather tough question. Of course you were cuter before. Now, not really."

"Caden!" I gasped in shock, smacking his arm, as he pretended to feel pained. I continued to smack him, until he caught both of my hands.

His hands were tender, but comforting. "You were cute before, but now... You're beautiful."

My cheeks turned hot and I looked down shyly. "Thanks."

"I'm kidding, don't get any ideas, Autumn," Caden said quickly, totally ruining the moment.

Yet again, I punched his arm. The two of us went on to joke around the entire night, until around like eight. Caden, then, suggested to watch a movie. We couldn't zero in on a specific genre, since he wanted to watch Horror, while I did Romance. So, we chose to compromise and watch Horror first, as watching Romance after would cheer me up a bit.

As usual, Horror could never be a good idea. At least not for me.

We watched Sinister 2 for Horror; the first had stolen my sleep for at least three months. This one, maybe not as scary, but it did provoke a few gasps and shrieks from my side. Caden wasn't teasing about it; he instead draped an arm around me in comfort, and kept telling me it was just a movie each time I screamed in fright.

As for Romance, I coerced him to watch A Walk To Remember, since he claimed to never have watched it. He was a bit uncertain, and had insisted on an Action movie, but I reminded him about the deal. So, we ended up watching A Walk To Remember, and... Let's just say he didn't want to shamefully cower behind my bed in the aftermath.

Around ten that night, my eyes started to close automatically in drowsiness. We'd roughly finished the movie ten minutes ago, and we were just chatting afterwards, until my eyes shut and wouldn't open again. Before I could fully jump into sleep, though, I felt two soft lips being placed upon my cheek very affectionately, lasting for around two seconds.

"Sweet dreams, Autumn," his sleepy, and raspy voice said.