Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Ella's POV:

So Declan wasn't lying when he said he was going to text me later. I thought that he would forget about it but he didn't. Opening my phone, I text him back.

'Declan?'

'The one and only.' Declan replies almost instantly. My heartbeat speeds up in my chest, I'm actually texting Declan right now.

'Ha-ha, so funny.'

'Are you being sarcastic with me Lil' one?' I smile at this. When texting, I have so much more confidence. It's funny because I say things that I wouldn't usually say in person.

'Maybe.' I text back.

He sends me the smirking emoji and I laugh.. 'So...what r u up to?'

'I'm watching Netflix.' I respond.

'Come chill and watch Netflix with me, I'm bored.' He sends back a few seconds later.

I stare at my phone for a whole minute, shocked. Oh my goodness! He just asked me to go chill with him. I have never hung out with a boy alone before. Even if I did, what would I tell my mom?

'Are you serious?' I ask, twiddling my thumbs. I can't help but ask because I've never once imagined or thought a boy would ask me, shy nervous Ella to hang out with them.

'Dead serious.'

'Are you sure?' I text, wanting to make sure I'm not dreaming.

'Positive, now get your cute butt over here!'

Now I know I'm not dreaming. My eyes scan over the text three times, a boy really did just ask me to come over.

I reply with, 'Okay...'

Jumping out of bed, I turn off my Tv and walk into the bathroom to brush my hair. I don't want it to look like I just woke up. Once done, I head down the stairs to the kitchen and take out a couple of bags of popcorn.

No, I don't really like popcorn but it's a popular movie snack and I assume Declan, like most people, likes popcorn.

All ready to go, I make a quick trip around the house turning off the lights and also grab my car keys. Most of the time I forget to turn off the lights and my mom gets mad, so I'm really trying to make a conscious effort to get out of that habit. On the way out as I'm locking the door, a text comes from Declan. It's his address.

In my truck, I quickly type the address into google maps then start driving. On the way there I decided to stop at a gas station and pick up a case coke. I remember Declan drinking coke at the diner and we're going to need something to drink if we're having a movie marathon, so why not get coke.

I nervously hand over the money for the soda, looking everywhere but at the cashier. Once it's paid for, I scurry out and waste no time driving away.

The sun's setting streaking the sky in deep reds and oranges, the moon holds itself high, the shape of a crescent.

Right now I'm driving through a little apartment complex. It's nice though, there are assorted flowers planted in front of the buildings and paved sidewalks. Google maps said I have reached my destination, so I turn it off and park my car in the apartment building parking lot.

I check my phone to see if I'm at the right place and I am. So I send Declan a text saying 'What's your apartment number?' and within a minute he replies, 'twenty-six, top floor.'

Putting my phone away, I grab the popcorn and soda.

After walking up three sets of stairs and down a hallway searching for Declan's number, I find it. Suddenly a rush of nerves hit me, I'm about to hang out with a hot guy alone. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. What if I make a fool out of myself? But I shake the ideas out of my head before I have a chance to overthink it.

Taking a deep breath I knock on the black door. Seconds later the door swings open and a very shirtless looking Declan comes into view. With his shirt off, you can see his tan six-pack and those two faded scars. Grey Nike sweatpants hang low on his hips and his bony feet are bare of socks.

Gulping, I tear my eyes away from his beautiful figure, a burning blush encasing my cheeks. His green eyes connect with my own, a grin taking over his gorgeous features. Butterflies flip and flop in my stomach.

"Like what you see," Declan asks, eyebrows raised.

I look down at my shoes, which are suddenly very interesting. "I-I u-umm was-." I stumble on my words, then get cut off.

"Come in Ellie." Declan chuckles, holding the door open for me. A signal for me to come in.

I do what he says and walk in, the first thing I see is the living room which is a pretty decent size. The walls are colored light grey, with very minimal wall art, almost no pictures.

A Tv is mounted on the wall, and his furniture consists of a brown sofa with a coffee table and a brown recliner chair with an end table. A wooden picture frame sits on the end table with a photo of Wes with his arm slung around Declan's shoulder, both of them laughing.

Even with the lack of photos, his place still gives off a comfortable vibe. There's even a smell to the place, a masculine smell but I like it.

Declan watches me as I take in the place. He must have showered before I came, considering his chocolate hair is wet, his curls loose. I have this weird urge to run my fingers through it, but shake it out of my head. He probably just got out of practice not too long ago.

I lift my hands up and say, "I brought popcorn and soda."

"You came prepared," Declan smiles. He reaches his hand out, "let me take those."

I let him take the popcorn and soda, he then starts walking to his kitchen which is right next to the living room. A small round wooden table sits right in the middle of the room with chairs, and in the center is a bowl filled with both apples and bananas. Declan places the soda and popcorn on the counter.

"It's homey here, I like it," I mumble softly. My home most of the time doesn't feel that way, but here it does. Maybe it's because this place is smaller than my two-story house.

"I'm glad you like it."

"No one's home?" I ponder nosily. The house is very quiet, where are his parents? Maybe they're out or something.

Declan's quiet for a second, I notice his smile has disappeared. Did I say something wrong? Then finally he answers, "I live alone."

"O-oh."

Nervousness creeps in. He lives alone? I shouldn't have asked that question, it's obviously a touchy subject by his change of emotion, now I feel awful. Where is his family? Oh my gosh, does he have one? I can't help how awful I feel, he must be lonely. But he doesn't seem like the lonely type.

Now I'm being stereotypical, great. Just because he doesn't seem lonely doesn't mean he's not. I fold my now sweaty hands together and awkwardly look at the table. I hope he's not mad at me.

"Ellie I'm not mad at you," Declan says like he just read my mind.

"Okay," I mumble, still nervous. It doesn't matter if he's not mad at me, I still feel so bad for asking. How can such a sweet boy like him live alone?

Declan walks over to me and grabs my hand. He looks at me with soft eyes and says, "I promise." 

I nod trying my best to give him a small smile, showing him I'm not upset. I just feel so bad.

I change the subject and ask "Did you just get out of practice?"

"Yeah."

"Why don't you go pick a movie? I'll pop the popcorn." Declan suggests.

I agree and go to the living room. Taking my seat on the couch, I grab the remote and since the Tv is already on Netflix, I start scrolling through the endless options. After about two minutes and a lot of debating, I decide on the movie 'Brain on Fire'. I then wait for Declan.

Soon enough Declan walks in popcorn bowl in one hand and two sodas in the other. He places the soda and popcorn down on the coffee table, then leaves the room coming back moments later with a big blanket. He hands it to me.

"What did you pick Lil' one?"

"Brain on fire," I tell him.

"Well, what are you waiting for let's watch it." He says, turning off the lights. After he sits down next to me, stealing some of the blankets to cover up.

When he's settled I press play.

"Popcorn please." Declan sings next to me, pointing innocently at the coffee table. A smile curves onto my lips as I reach over to get it and then after handing it to him. Taking it, he leans in close to my ear, "Thank you." He whispers, breath hot.

Warmth spreads throughout my body, my cheeks lighting with a blush that now seems to never go away.

Ten minutes into the movie, I feel Declan's heated gaze on me as I nibble at the popcorn. Popcorn really wasn't my cup of tea.

"What?" I ask, peering over at him awkwardly.

He replies with, "nothing."

I go back to watching the movie, but still, feel Declan's stare. Once again I look over and he has a devious smile set on his face. I'm about to say something when he throws popcorn at me. I look down at the pieces of popcorn that just hit my face, I then look back at Declan confused. He smiled, throwing more at me.

I see...two can play at that game. The movie is now forgotten, as I pick up a handful of popcorn and throw it right at his face. We go back in fourth, until suddenly he stands up with the popcorn bowl in his hands, and pours it all over me.

A feeling of shock drapes over me like a cloud. When I snap back into realization that he really just did that, I pick up the buttery popcorn all around me and fling it at him.

He does the same, picking up handfuls and aiming them at me. Grabbing the pillow at the end of the couch, I put it in front of me, using it as a shield of protection. When he sees it, he drops the popcorn and instead starts stalking towards me. I back up trying my best to not trip over my feet. 

I keep backing up until I can't anymore, my back colliding with the wall. Declan stops in front of me, I lift the pillow to my face. But as I do, Declan's strong grip snatches it and throws it to the side. My heart begins to race in my chest, my shield is now gone leaving me unprotected.

His tall figure shadows over my shorter one. A smirk playing on the edges of his peachy lips. "Hiding are we, Ellie." Declan taunts.

"N-no, it was protection." I stutter out. He's so close to me, my nervousness kicking in. I'm not used to being this close to anyone, let alone a boy.

Declan leans down his breath hot on my neck. He whispers, "I don't think so." His voice sounded raspy.

My cheeks turn a bright cherry red, I just stand there very still. He takes a step back and says, "You're absolutely adorable my little Ellie."

I'm pretty sure my cheeks are on legit fire now. Declan just called me adorable. I replay the sentence in my head and notice, he just called me 'his little Ellie'. He called me his.

My stomach flips in delight.

After I pull myself together, I help Declan clean up the popcorn. When we finish, Declan and I go back to the living room and sit on the couch, him changing the channel back to regular Tv. Criminal Minds happens to be on, so that's what we watch.

My eyelids begin to fall heavy as time passes, but I'm trying my best to fight it. Maybe if I close my eyes for just a second, it will be better. Hoping it works, I do close my eyes, the darkness feeling much better.

I decided to keep my eyes closed a bit longer than a second. The sound of the Tv dulls down, the urge to keep my eyes closed is stronger than ever. A warm hand gently lays me down. I try to protest but the words fall flat on my lips as my senses disappear, sleep hugging me like a warm blanket.

*

The morning sun casting its bright light is what has me pulling my sleepy eyelids open. Thinking nothing of it, I begin to stretch out my arms and legs. That's when I notice the navy blue walls, this is definitely not my white bedroom.

Taking a second, I recollect my thoughts. I was on Declan's couch last night when I started to become sleepy. Didn't I fall asleep there?

Sitting up, I notice the dark blue plaid comforter on top of me. The bed is big, maybe queen-sized? This must be Declan's bedroom, but how did I get in here? I certainly don't remember walking in here and hopping in bed. Actually, I would never do that, and that's a fact.

Warmth invades my cheeks, I slept in Declan Anderson's bed! His bed! Did he carry me in here or something? The thought has my face burning. I would've been fine sleeping on the couch.

Pulling the comforter off, I scramble out of Declan's bed. Hearing a noise from outside of Declan's room I decided to follow it. Declan has three doors in his bedroom, one door leads to a bathroom. I know because the door is open and I can see in, the second door I assume is a closet door. Lastly, the third door must lead out into the rest apartment, also that's where the noise is coming from.

I open the third door of Declan's bedroom and peer out. The first thing I see is the kitchen, and sitting at the table is Declan scooping spoons of frosted flakes into his mouth. Quietly I walk out and as I do Declan glances up, a smile quirking on his lips.

"Sleep well Lil' one?" His voice comes out kind of raspy as he asks. I'm guessing he woke up not long before me, but unlike me, his morning voice still seemed to sound so good.

"Yeah," I mumble, feeling that familiar warmth on my cheeks. Every time I'm around him he has this effect on me.

He pats the seat next to him, gesturing for me to come sit down. Nervously, I walk over to the table, hesitating.

"Sit, I promise I won't bite." He says smiling. "At least not hard." He teases, pulling out the chair for me.

A shaky smile simpers onto my chapped lips. I take the seat. "O-okay," I mutter.

"Are you hungry?" He asks, looking at me with his soft green orbs.

"N-no, I u-umm should get going." Just as I say it, my stomach growls. Declan tilts his head and at the same time raises a brow. Both amusement and confusion clear on his face.

Urging myself to explain, I say. "My mom's probably worried, I didn't tell her I was leaving."

"Call her and tell her you're at a friend's house," Declan says simply.

I wish it was that easy but it's not. Standing up I walk over to Declans counter and dial my mom. Within two rings she answers.

"Ella where are you? I have been worried sick. I've called and left you a bunch of texts." My mother's worried voice fills my ears through the phone.

"Sorry mom, I forgot to tell you I was going to sleep over at Olivia's." I fib, biting my lip, hoping she believes me.

I take a quick glance at Declan, and he is already looking at me. A smirk set on his plush lips.

"Well next time, you need to remember to send me a text letting me know. I was freaking out." My mother says sternly.

"I know, I'm sorry," I mumble, now feeling guilty.

"It's fine Ella, I love you and next time don't forget."

"I won't." I mutter, "Love you too." I try to say as quietly as possible, not wanting Declan to hear. "I'll be home later," I tell her and then hang up.

Declan's laughing, and I can only guess at me. "You didn't tell your mom."

"I forgot," I say sheepishly, walking back to the table and sitting down.

"Mhm." Declan chuckles. He gets up and strides over to the coffee pot, he then begins pouring some coffee into a mug. After it's full he hands it to me. I smile and mumble, "Thank you."

Declan then opens the fridge, taking out the coffee creamer, along with two eggs. He hands me the creamer with a spoon, I take it and begin to make my coffee just the way I like it. As I mix my coffee, Declan cracks the eggs onto a frying pan and then walks across the kitchen to pop the bread into the toaster.

I watch him with curiosity and sip my coffee. He still wears sweatpants from last night but now has a green football t-shirt on.

After about two minutes, Declan puts a plate in front of me with fried eggs and toast.

"Eat Ellie, I know you're hungry."

He made this for me? Feelings simmer in my stomach as a smile graces my lips. Wasting no time, I dig into it. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the toast was a golden brown, not burnt but also perfect. The whole plait was delicious.