Rowan: Is that a yes?
Me: It’s a maybe, I have one condition…
Rowan: Name it.
I nibble my bottom lip, worried that sneaking out might not be the best decision I’ve ever made but I want to go.Dang it, man. Am I really doing this?As soon as I ask myself the question, I’m already answering it with my text.
Me: You have to pick me up
Rowan: That’s it? That feels too easy.
Me: What did you think it was going to be?
I giggle, suddenly very excited to do something that I’ve never even considered before but most teenagers have done at least once in their lives.
Rowan: IDK, figured you were going to have me scaling walls or some shit to get to you.
Rowan: Which I would do btw, just needed to know if I needed to change my pants before coming and getting you.
I laugh at how damn silly he is.
Me: Why on earth would you need to change your pants?
Rowan: For flexibility and breathability of course
That really has me cracking up. I giggle so hard my chest tightens up and I have to stop because the pull feels uncomfortable on my scar.
Me: I’m pretty easy to please, Pierce. No spiderman moves required.
Rowan: I know you are, Millie. It’s one of the things I like most about you. See you in 10.
My head pops up, my eyes finding the clock in my bedroom. Then I look down at my pajamas. There’s no way I can be ready that soon.
Me: Give me 15 and I’ll meet you outside. My parents are already asleep.
I don’t wait for his response as I throw my phone down on the bed. I don’t have a minute to spare if I’m going to look halfway decent for the hockey god headed my way.
I tiptoe down the hallway. Careful to step over the old wood planks that are too loud and will creak under my weight. I’ve never snuck out before because I’ve never had to. I don’t think my parents would necessarily be upset that I was going out but there would definitely be questions.
Is it serious with this boy?
Do we need to worry?
Will you be safe?
All valid questions but I don’t have the answer to at least one of them. I’m trying to not overthink this, even though I’m so far out of my comfort zone that I can no longer see it in my rearview mirror.
I push down my nerves and head for the front door. I stop mid-step and make an abrupt turn and instead I head straight for the kitchen.
I go to the junk drawer and pull out a notepad and scribble out a message for my parents in case they wake up in the middle of the night and find me gone. I’m not trying to send them into a full-blown panic or have the cops called.
If they wake up, they will find the note here in the kitchen, if they don’t then I’ll trash the note as soon as I get home and they are none the wiser. I leave the note out where it’s easily seen and then turn to make my way back down the hallway and to the front door.
I only hesitate for a second before I open the door and step out, quietly closing it behind me.
“You sneaking out, Daredevil?” His rich velvet voice floats over me like a warm blanket and causes a shiver to run up my spine.
I turn around and find him right behind me on the step. So close I can feel his breath skate across my cheek when he says, “Is this on your list too?”
