I lean back into Zach, letting him wrap his arms around the front of me while I rest the back of my head against his chest and we look out into the stars. He reaches for the blanket and layers it over me and I relax into him.
We’re silent for a moment. Letting the stars and the moon do all the talking in the sky, the loud beauty that graces us and the silent secrets they keep.
I feel my heart fill with wonder and admiration; lucky enough that I get to experience a view like this at least once in my life.
“What are you thinking about?” Zach asks and I smile.
“I wonder if the stars are looking down on us right now, whispering amongst themselves and thinking how monumental it is that we’re finally together.”
I can feel Zach’s heartbeat underneath me and I close my eyes as I study on the rhythm of it.
“I think that’s exactly what they’re saying too, little one.”
I feel myself peacefully fading. The sway of the breeze, the warmth of Zach’s arms and the sound of his heart. The ambient music playing in the back and the bliss that shelters itself in my heart all work together to bring me to a calming sleep.
And I relax into it, letting the emotions and the pure affection I’ve felt tonight rock me gently toward my dreams and before I know it, I’m asleep in Zach’s arms.
19
Cadence
Cadence wtf are you doing??
Lol geez calm down. I just got to class. What’s wrong?
Your outfit.
Are you trying to give Brayden a heart attack?
Ummm I’m confused. What’s wrong with my outfit?
Your shirt.
I look down at my shirt, almost forgetting what I’d thrown on this morning. It’s a Timber Wolves football shirt, but more specifically, I got it from Zach.
It’s been two days since we got back from the camping trip. Two days since he asked me to go to homecoming with him and two days of wishing I could go back to that moment. The second we left his Jeep that night, after he had to wake me up, we jumped straight back into reality.
We had to go back to pretending like we didn’t really like each other and now, we have to pretend like we didn’t just have the best weekend together. I think he could tell that I was a little sad about it, about leaving that moment behind because the next morning, Zach snuck into my tent and left me his football shirt. It smelled just like him. I stuffed it in my bag before we finished packing up our things and left.
I admittedly didn’t unpack my camping bag until last night, and that’s when I pulled out this shirt and laid it out to wear today. But I don’t know why it’s got Zach freaking out on me right now.
Oh, yeah. You like it?
Why did you wear that to school Cadie?
Why not? It’s just a football shirt. If anyone asks, I’ll just say it’s one of Bray’s.
Oh, little one…
What??
It has my football number on the back.
WHAT NO IT DOES NOT?
I jump up from my desk, the chair scrapes against the floor and everyone pulls their attention to me.
“Cadence?” The teacher raises concern and I panic.
