Hey y'all, sooner than expected right, no big news or anything so here's the chapter.

Luke's POV:
"Hey Luke. Thanks."

"Of course." I smiled. "Where you wanna go?"

"Can we pick up some food and just watch a movie? It was kinda a long day and I'm kinda tired."

"Hey, no explanation necessary, if you wanna just chill, that's totally fine with me. I'm down for anything you want to do, as long as I'm invited." I said playfully.

"Works for me."

I turned the radio on to her favorite station and we sang along as I drove us to Bagger Dave's.

I pulled into the drive thru.

"Aren't you gonna ask what I wanna get?" She asked curiously.

"I know what you always get here, it's one of your favorite restaurants and we go here all the time."

"And what might that be?"

I smiled and pulled up to the box.

"Welcome to Bagger Dave's, are you ready to place your order?"

"I am, thank you. We'll take 2 Bacon cheeseburgers, minus the onions, add ranch, with caesar side salads and fries for both, one orange cream soda, one root beer float, and an order of onion rings to share please."

"Alright, I'm impressed." She conceded with a smile as we got our food.

"Where do you wanna watch movies, my house or yours?"

"Can we go to yours because all 3 my siblings are gonna be home from school soon and you only have one other sibling at your house now that Sol is at college."

"Fair enough."

We talked about random stuff for the rest of the drive, laughing and joking like we always did after school. Only this time, it meant more. While I loved hanging out with her in general, I always felt like I had some huge secret that could make or break our friendship.

I opened the car door for her and then the front door as well.

"Am I ever gonna be able to open a door again?" She laughed.

"Not while I'm around." I grinned.

"You're such a dork." She laughed.

"Hey, at least I'm a polite dork."

"This is true." She agreed.

I grabbed the remote and we sat on the couch with our food.

"What do you wanna watch?"

"What category?"

"Just pick whatever one you want." I smiled.

"Really?"

"Of course." I laughed.

She gasped and I could tell exactly what she'd chosen. The movies she always chose. I regretted saying whatever one.

"Twilight Movie Marathon?" I asked with an exasperated sigh.

"Can we?" She smiled. "Please? They're hilariously stupid and I love them."

"How many times have we watched these movies?"

"Too many to count." She beamed. "Pleeease?

"Alright, alright." I laughed. "I did say whatever one you want."

"Yes!" She hugged me. "Thank youuu!"

"No problem, but next time can we please watch something else?"

"Oh you love Twilight and you know it." She said playfully.

I shook my head with a laugh.

"Popcorn?" I asked.

"You know it." She grinned.

"I'll go make some."

"Do you have movie candy?"

"But of course." I smiled back.

She walked over to the hanging shelves and tried to get the candy, but she couldn't quite reach.

"You moved it up a shelf." She accused with a smile.

"Two actually." I said, about to grab the candy for her.

But I didn't because someone jumped onto my back and grabbed the candy first.

"Big cheater." I laughed teasingly as she set them on the counter.

"It's called being resourceful." She corrected.

I took the popcorn out of the microwave and grabbed the candy. I walked back into the living room to toss the candy onto the couch, her still hanging on my back like a koala.

"Are you planning on getting down or nah?" I joked.

"I don't know. The view is pretty nice up here. I can see Sacramento."

"I'm not that tall. Sacramento is like 400 miles away."

"Oh, yeah you're right."

"Thank you."

"It was San Francisco." She giggled.

I laughed and leaned back to set her on the counter while I made the popcorn.

I put it into the microwave and leaned against the counter that formed an L with the one Layne was sitting on while I waited.

"Hey Luke?" Layne asked.

"What's on your mind?"

"Come here." She said softly.

I moved so I was standing in front of her, who was still sitting on the counter.

"What's up L?"

She didn't say anything, just hugged me. At first I was a little shocked but I relaxed and hugged her back, holding her in my arms like I always wanted to. I took a deep breath, smelling vanilla and watermelon. I smiled and couldn't help but think about how glad I was that I'd finally made a move. While we'd hugged before, this time, it felt different. More romantic in a way. I can't really explain it.

She let go of me but I stayed close.

"What'd I do to get a hug like that?" I asked with a small smile.

"You've just always been there for me. Always." She smiled back. "Thank you."

Before I could stop myself, I leaned in and kissed her. She leaned into the kiss, deepening it. She put her arms behind my neck and pulled me closer. I set my hands on her hips before pulling away and smiling at her.

"What's so funny?" She teased.

"Nothing's funny, I've just wanted to do that for so long."

"Then why didn't you?" She teased again.

"I was worried it might ruin our entire friendship."

"Lucas Brady you know nothing could do that, and you know you can tell me anything."

"I know, and I tried, but I couldn't do it."

"Until today?"

"Until today." I chuckled.

The microwave beeped and I took out the popcorn while she grabbed the candy. 

"Movie time!" I exclaimed as I ran towards the living room. "Race ya!" 

"Oh no fair, you got a head start!" She whined, chasing after me.

We both jumped onto the couch at the same time and broke into laughter. I turned the movie on as we sat down like normal people. 

Twilight is a good-ish series in my opinion. If you pretend it's a comedy, it makes it a lot better. Layne loved the series and I swear I've watched them like 17 times.

This time, however, I was more distracted than normal. I would always glance over at her and smile, but this time she knew. She knew I liked her. I was free to slide my arm around her shoulders like always. But this time, she'd know it was meant to be more than platonic. 

I was about to put my arm around her and pull her close when she scooted over a little and leaned against me, setting her head on the spot between by chest and my shoulder and sending fire into my system.

I knew I wasn't gonna get a better chance than that so I slid my arm around her gently.

"I wish every day could be like today Lukey." She whispered, so quiet I almost didn't hear it.

"Me too Layney." I smiled at her.

Now I know what you're thinking. Wow, most creative nicknames ever. In our defense, yes they were cheesy, but we were quite literally 4 years old, what do you expect?

We watched the movie, laughing and talking a little and quoting the movie to each other.

 When it ended we put in the second one, watching through the entire Twilight series by the time the night was over.

"Hey Layney, it's getting kinda late, you want me to drive you home?"

"Aren't we going to the haunted house with Josh and Ava pretty soon?"

"I know, I just thought you might want some alone time before we all meet up."

"I do want some alone time." She said with a playful smile.

"Bet, I'll grab my keys." I smiled back, not understanding what she meant.

"Don't, that's not what I meant. I meant some alone time just the two of us."

"Isn't that what we've been doing?"  

"Lucas."

I didn't say anything but I was still visibly confused.

"Just kiss me you doofus." She said as she rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Ohhh." I laughed. "My bad. Still getting used to this whole us sort of dating thing."

"Me too. But, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"You're amazing." I said softly.

"I know." She teased as I smiled and kissed her gently. She looked up at me and smiled a little before setting her head on my shoulder. The kiss wasn't long, but it didn't need to be. I finally shot my shot with her.

And I scored a slam dunk.