6 Chapter 4

I woke up the next morning completely in a daze and honestly feeling like complete shit. My head was pounding, and I honestly felt so fucking down. Why the fuck does this bedroom not have curtains? The sun is way too fucking bright.

I was brought out of my head by feeling something shift next to me. I was completely startled, to say the least, when I noticed a naked woman next to me in bed, and even more startled when I looked down and realized I was naked too. I flung myself back into the pillow with a groan.

My mind is reeling, trying to remember everything that had happened last night, but everything was fuzzy, and the more I tried to reach for the memories, the more my head hurt. I then lifted myself up to examine the girl next to me, and she looked so peaceful and honestly so gorgeous. I kept trying to recall who she is but kept turning up blank till she opened up her eyes.

Those vibrant green eyes had me sucked in, and I couldn't look away. The way the light hit them was making my brain go to mush, but at the same time, they made all the memories from last night spring forward. I even remember leading her upstairs and all the events once we got to the bedroom. I could feel my face heating up, I'm so glad I'm darker completed, or you could easily see me blush. I noticed her mouth moving, but I couldn't hear anything she was saying. I shook my head out of the spell this woman put me in and was finally able to speak.

"Hello," I mumbled out shyly.

"Good morning." She spoke with a huge smile on her face. God, that smile. It was so bright and warm. I felt my own smile beaming back at her.

She lifted herself to me and leaned forward. Before I could even register what was happening, she kissed me. Her lips were electrifying, but then my mind went immediately to Maddie. I couldn't do this. I can't betray her any more than what I already have, nor do I want to open myself back up again. I pulled away fast and saw her frown and hurt in her eyes. I felt so bad right then and there.

"I'm sorry. I really don't mean to be rude. I've never done this before. I'm sorry if you feel taken advantage of, but I am not emotionally available, nor do I think I ever will be again." I said with a sigh as my eyes snapped down, too cowardly to see her reaction. She sighed herself.

"I figured once I found you trying to jump off a roof." I snapped my eyes up to hers. I know she could see the panic in them. I gulped audibly.

"I think you mean, trying to fly." I shot back like a smartass. Looking at her, I could see she wasn't finding my deflection funny.

"Please don't say anything to anyone." She raised her eyebrows at me, looking at me as if I was crazy.

"Why shouldn't I? You tried to end your life last night, and if I weren't there, you would have been successful. You should to talk to someone." I could hear the concern in her voice, but she honestly had just pissed me off.

"I don't need any fucking help," I said back, feeling the anger roll off of me in waves. Before I started to get up and leave the bed. She grabbed my arm and gently tugged me back. I looked back at her, and something in her eyes made me calm down and sit back down.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. How about we come to an agreement of sorts?" I looked at her questioningly.

"Okay, and what do you propose?" her smile turned into a smirk.

"This thing between us can stay platonic if you'd like, but I want you to help me cross everything off my bucket list this summer. You already helped me cross one thing off. In return, I won't rat you out. Do we have a deal?" She held out her hand with a smile on her face. She brought her hand back down and gestured for me to speak. I'm sure she saw all the questions swimming in my head through my eyes.

"What did I help you cross off? Also, why are you trying to cross off everything on your bucket list in one summer? You have the rest of your life. Also, why would you want me to do it with you?" She looked away, obviously trying to put her words together on how she would answer me. I could also see traces of a frown on her face. Once she finally looked back up, her smile was present again but looked more strained.

"For your first question, you took my virginity." she blushed at this, and again if you could see mine, you would know I was blushing too.

"For your second question. I…. Well, I am going somewhere for a very long time, and I won't be able to cross off everything I want to do after I go there. The place is very strict about letting people go out and do stuff, and no, I can't tell you where it's a secret. For your third question now. I feel like we could both use the adventure and distraction to help us feel like we are living again instead of just surviving." I looked at her suspiciously. Where could she possibly be going to where she couldn't come back. Must be something her family is making her do. I know all too well the pressure a family can have on you.

Should I agree to do all this with a stranger? I look back up at her expectant eyes, and honestly, I don't think I could refuse her offer. Firstly she seemed like she needed this, and honestly, I needed it too. It would be a nice distraction from all the pain I feel. I don't know if it will keep me from following through with my plan, but at least it would allow me to do a lot of fun things before I die.

"You've got yourself a deal Hope," I say with a huge smile and stick out my hand for her to shake. Her eyes lit up, and instead of shaking my hand, she flung herself full force at me, hugging me.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You truly don't know how much this means to me." I felt uncomfortable at first because we were both naked hugging, but I could tell that she needed this hug. I finally wrapped my arms around her, too, and thanked her.

We finally pulled apart when she looked down and realized we are both still very naked. I could feel her eyes linger down at my naked form, and as she's looking back up, I start to see her blush. Once she reaches my eyes and notices I've been observing her this entire time; her eyes go a little wide.

"Like what you see?" I said with a smirk. She just looked away. I laughed lightly and pushed off the bed. Trying to find my clothes. I found mine, and then I handed Hope hers.

"Here you go. Hurry up and get dressed; breakfast is on me." I said, looking back at her, still sitting in the bed.

"There, we can map out how this summer is going to go." I smiled at her as I leaned up against the wall facing away from her, so she had privacy.