TWENTY minutes ago Aahana had climbed on top of the van.

Fifteen minutes ago she had peeped down to find Everett reading a book.

Ten minutes ago she was laying on the van and staring at the sky.

And five minutes ago, she was debating whether to climb down or not.

When she was teasing Everett about dirty talk—she didn't actually think he would begin to dirty talk. She was surprised. She made fun of him just because she was enjoying his red face. She couldn't help but choke on the granola bar when he threw her his vivid imagery. It only got worse when she started imagining that too—in complete detail.

She took a deep breath and sat up.

How about I casually go and try to have a normal conversation? No, no. Maybe I should just go to bed. Oh, damn—we've decided to sleep together. Should I tell him to switch turns? Nah. Nah. The awkwardness would peak up. Uh-man. Why did I start talking about sex?!

Her thoughts were running wild. She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. She made her final decision and hopped down (half-scared and a half because of adrenaline).

Everett was still reading a book. She wanted to ask which one but decided against it. A few brown curls fell down in front of his eyes. He ran his fingers through his hairline. His round-rimmed glasses resembled the ones that Harry Potter uses. Everett closed the book and closed his eyes while taking his glasses off. He cocked his head behind and rubbed his forehead.

"You okay?" Aahana asked and finally opened the door. She didn't sit in. He snapped his head towards her and blinked.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good."

"You should go to bed. Seems like your head is hurting."

"Yeah, a little but I'm fine. I'm not sleepy yet. You can go to bed. I will sleep with you when I feel like it—oh, my God. I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry. I just...I'm sorry." He swallowed.

Her lips curled up a little. "Everett, go to bed," she ordered.

"What about you?"

She chewed the inside of her mouth. "I'll, ah, I'll have one more bar and then sleep."

He laughed wholeheartedly. "Gosh, you are always hungry." He opened his bag and tossed her a bar. "Here, have this one. It tastes the best."

Aahana tore the plastic open and took a bite. Mhmmm," she moaned. "This is so delicious. I thought it would taste like shit."

"I recommend not using those words while eating." She laughed. She finished her bar in a few minutes and climbed into the back of the van. She laid the mattress out and lied down while pulling up a peachy blanket on top of her. Although she was trying to sleep, she knew she couldn't. She had forgotten to bring her stuffed bear and sleeping without anything to hold on to was almost impossible for her.

"Are you sleeping or not?" She questioned Everett who was staring at the darkness of the wilderness.

"Nah, I'm good."

She blew a breath out. "Pfft. Don't feel awkward, okay? I'm fine with us sleeping beside each other. It was my choice. I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing that you aren't sleeping because of me." Everett turned to her.

He gave it a thought. "Okay."

He rolled the windows up and climbed behind. He lied beside her and didn't take the blanket. They both were staring at the top of the car silently. They could hear the frequent sound of wind swishing through the leaves. At times, chills would run down her spine.

She slowly turned her head to him. "Is, um, is everything fine between us? I mean, it got a lil awkward and..." she trailed off when he peered at her. His green eyes darkened.

"I believe so. And I'm really sorry about that whole thing. I didn't think before speaking." He licked his bottom lips. They were extremely close in this cramped up space. She could feel his warm, nay, hot breath on her face.

"Do you usually sleep with your t-shirt on?"

Everett gazed at her. Blinked. Twice. "Um...no," he mumbled.

"Then take it off, really. I don't like making people uncomfortable. I'll turn on my side." Truth. She was telling the absolute truth.

"That isn't necessary." She was already facing the other side. He sighed with relief and took his t-shirt off. He got under the covers this time, leaving his back and stomach open.

Aahana's watch ticked. She heard every ticking because she had kept it in front of her eyes. She knew she wasn't going to sleep. She wished she had bought sleeping pills but then again, who would prescribe her medicines? She wasn't suffering from insomnia or anything even close. She was simply afraid of darkness. Clutching something helped her fall asleep. Right now her only option was a tall stranger. And no one in their sane mind would clutch a person they barely met.

Minutes passed by. She didn't know if he was asleep or not. If he was, he surely was a silent sleeper.

"Oh, dang. I forgot to ask if you wanted to change." He murmured.

"No, I'm good. Thanks."

"I'll get out of Breezy if you want to."

She smiled. "You already named the van! Why didn't you tell me?"

He chose not to reply and she didn't press it further.

"Mhmm, Breezy. Not bad, huh." She felt him smile because he didn't respond. She felt Everett pull the blanket up and change his side. He was now probably staring at her back which wasn't covered with a blanket or her dress since it was single-strapped. She was suddenly feeling self-conscious. The scar that she got when she was a kid wasn't covered in the dress completely.

"What's the story behind the scars—if you don't mind me asking." He read her mind. She gulped and turned to the other side, facing him. He was looking at her with curiosity.

"There's no story."

"Don't lie. There's always a story. You're just embarrassed to tell that story out loud or it is really personal. Which one applies to you?" He raised his eyebrow.

After a long pause, she answered, "The first one."

He smirked. "Go ahead. Tell me."

She rolled her eyes. "It's nothing interesting. I was a mischievous kid. I've injured myself while doing crazy stuff and losing balance."

He frowned. "That was...not embarrassing." She shrugged. She stared into his eyes while he looked into hers. Suddenly, he extended his hand to her face and was about to tuck her hair when he pulled his hand back.

"Oh, ah, sorry."

"It's fine. Go on." He extended his hand again and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Her heart began to beat rapidly when his fingers outlined her ear pinna. Her eyes averted to his collar bones as the blanket had slipped down a little. She blinked and looked back at Everett who was already staring at her. She just smiled, trying to hide her nervousness. He smiled at her and pulled his hand away.

"Don't feel insecure about your body. It is who you are. Your body is like a canvas and those scars are an art. And every art is a masterpiece no matter how less appreciated, " he muttered. She glanced at his lips.

"I...wow. Thank...thank you."

hello, lovely beans!

do you like Everett? he is such a cutie pie regardless his stoic behaviour sometimes. he has a kind heart. honestly, he is sort of inspired by Levi from Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.

have you read it?

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