The Dreamer Part 3 by J.M.Hurley (the reading list book txt) 📕

you!” I said and I could hear him laughing along with me.

“Wow, that’s a relief,” he replied and the tone of his voice changed from sad, to happy with just one statement.

A bell rang in the background and Kyle let out a sigh of annoyance. “You’re in your room right?” he asked and I felt my gut clench with nervousness for a reason unknown.

“Yeah, but-”

“Don’t go anywhere; I’ll be up in a second. Just got to get past the wardens,” he said then hung up before I could protest.

I began to chew anxiously on my fingernails as I waited for him to arrive, though it was only about five minutes before I heard a soft knock on my door. I hustled over and flung it open to see Kyle with a smile lighting up his face. What’s he staring at?

I wondered looking down then, seeing what he was staring at, I returned the smile.

“So I’m taking that as you like them?” Kyle asked, motioning towards the bouquet that I was still cradling in my arms.

My smile widened and I motioned for him to come in as I answered, “Like them? I love them, Kyle! Where did you get them?” He stepped through my doorway and I shut the door behind him, feeling my stomach churn as the good girl inside of me remembered the no-guys-in-the-bedroom rule.

“The Lilacs are from my mothers garden,” he said, shifting uncomfortably as I cast him a look.

“I think you know what I was talking about. Where on Earth did you get a Zantendeschia?” I asked, knowing that almost every store refuses to sell them.

Kyle smiled shyly at me and brushed his hair out of his eyes while I waited patiently for him to answer. “Well…I knew you they’re you favorite and…It’s not like the gardeners are going to notice…They hardly even water the place anymore…”he said, his voice drifting in and out as he tried to answer me.

“You stole it!?” I asked, feeling suddenly very guilty to be holding the flowers and set them down onto my chair.

“No! I left money in the gardeners shed, though I doubt they’ll ever find it,” he said and we both burst into laughter.

“So why aren’t you in class?” I asked scooping up my flowers again and plopping down onto my bed. Kyle shook his head so his hair fell into his face as he sat down next to me.

“Not everyone thinks that skipping class is equivalent to robbing a bank Summer, some people do it regularly.” he replied giving me a smirk that quickly disappeared when he saw my expression.

“Well, if you’re going to be a jerk than you can just leave,” I said motioning towards the door with my free hand.

Kyle’s jaw dropped, “Look Summer, I’m sorry…I was just joking around, but it wasn’t funny and-”

“Would you shut-up!” I said, playfully punching him in the arm, “I’m totally kidding with you. I can take a little sarcasm, I’m a big girl.” Kyle’s look of sorrow turned to amusement.

“That’s it, you asked for it!” he said leaping towards me and tickling my stomach till tears were running down my face.

“No! Stop it! AH!” I screamed as we both collapsed in fits of laughter.

“I came up here to keep you company, to answer your question,” he said playing with the ends of my hair which made me shiver out of pure joy.

“Well, thank-you. You mean a lot to me,” Crap! Did I really just say ‘you’? No, I couldn’t have! I meant to say ‘it’... or did I?

I looked up at Kyle to see him smiling.

“You mean a lot to me too,” he said and time seemed to slow down as he leaned towards me. It felt like Earth stopped turning and everything was moving in slow motion.

I leaned towards him and closed my eyes slowly, not wanting to lose sight of his beautiful face. When our lips met it was like fireworks exploded. It wasn’t like kissing Zane, but it was still wonderful and sweet in its own way. His soft lips continued to brush up against mine and he tangled his fingers through my light blonde hair as I scooted closer towards him. There was a burning passion between us that seemed to strength more and more as our lips met again and again. I felt his soft, warm hand on the small of my back and I smiled as his lips met mine once more before he pulled away.

“I love you Kyle,” I said and even I was surprised to hear the words come out of my mouth, I’d never told a guy I loved him before.

“I love you too beautiful,” Kyle said as he pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around me. I sighed, If heaven is anything like this, I’m ready to die now,

I thought blissfully as Kyle kissed my forehead and I leaned my head back onto his shoulder. “I’m glad you said yes,” he said, stroking my hair after a few moments of silence.

“I’m glad you asked,” I replied smiling up at him.

“You really should put those in a vase, they’ll last longer that way,” he said motioning to the bouquet that was lying at the end of my bed, I’d tossed it there when we’d started to kiss and now my cheeks flushed bright pink as I remembered this.

I reluctantly got up from his embrace and crawled over to where my flowers where lying, smiling at the beauty of them. “They really are gorgeous,” I said and was startled to feel Kyle place his hands on my waist from behind me.

“They had to be, beautiful flowers for an even more beautiful girl.” I blushed even deeper, like always do when he compliments me, and leaned forward in an attempt to hide my face behind my hair. Kyle reached forward and tucked the few shielding pieces of hair behind my ear then shot me a smile, “Sorry, but it’s too pretty of a face to hide it.” I grinned at him and let out a giggle.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked and he turned to face me, suddenly serious.

“Anything.” He confirmed.

“Why me? Why do you like me, instead of Stephanie or Terri?” I asked and he let out a snort.

“Well, to start, Terri Levi and Stephanie Marlow aren’t anything compared to you. Second, I think we’ve already determined that I don’t ‘like’ you, I ‘love’ you. Third, how could a guy not love you Summer? You’re amazingly beautiful, smart, creative, edgy, feisty, you like to go on adventures, and

you’re one of the kindest girls I’ve ever met.” He finished and catching my shocked expression he laughed and pulled me towards him again.

“No wait.” I said putting my hand against his chest to restrain him.

“What?” he asked with a hint of a smile as he reached up and intertwined his fingers with mine.

“Do really think that highly of me?” I asked feeling rather flattered. The only person who’s ever talked to me like that is…

I felt my heart clench as I thought of him. How did he manage to sneak his way into my thoughts? Why can’t being with Kyle be enough for me? But It is!

I insisted silently as his soft fingertips caressed my high cheek bones.

“Well, I would stay, but Ms. Kelly has a habit of checking up on those who skip, and I’d like to avoid detention,” he said getting up off of my bed. Hearing Ms. Kelly’s name brought back her chilling image and the memories of our last conversation, making me shiver.

“You okay?” Kyle called over his shoulder as he headed for my door.

“Yeah, just a little cold,” I assured him feeling a pang of guilt in my stomach as I lied to him.

“Well, see you later Summer. Love you!” he said shooting me an extra white smile as he opened my door and stepped out.

“Love you too,” I whispered as my door swung shut. But do I really ‘love’ Kyle? Yes, I finally decided, Yes I do and right now, he’s the only one I love.

I laid back down on my bed and continued to repeat that to myself hoping that if I said it enough, it might make it more true.


Chapter 31

A few hours later, I heard the last school bell ring and let out a sigh of relief, no more visits from Ms. Kelly. I stared at the bouquet sitting on my widow sill and let out a sigh. Life should feel great right now. So why doesn’t it?

I wasn’t sure how to answer that thought, so I decided to ignore it.

The clicking of my door getting unlocked made me jump and crouch into a defensive stance. Sierra smiled and gave a small wave, “It’s just me.” I breathed a sigh of relief and returned to sitting on my bed. “Oh! What a pretty bouquet! It couldn’t be from Zane

, could it?” she asked, pulling herself up to my bunk, and plopping down next to me. The way she said Zane’s name suggested she knew something I didn’t and it made my stomach flip from nervousness.

“No, it’s not from Zane. Why would you think that?” I asked anxiously picking at my cuticles.

“Oh no reason,” she said giving me a wink and playing with her short, choppy hair.

“Spill,” I said, shooting her a glare.

Her smile dropped, “Oh, you really didn’t see it…” she said then got up and motioned for me to follow her.

We walked through our doorway and came to a halt right outside our door, where a note hung. A fancy Z was inscribed on the front, letting passing viewers know exactly who it was from. I shifted uncomfortably. Was that on the door this whole time? Did Kyle see it? Did he read it?

I shook my head to clear it then snatched the note off of the door.

Why couldn’t it have a K on in? It would make this so much easier!

I cursed under my breath as I opened the letter so only I could read it.

Dear Summer,

We need talk, no I need to apologize, and I’m not doing it through a letter or a text. Please meet me in front of the school at 5:00 tonight.

-Zane

I folded up the letter and put it my pants pocket with a defeated sigh. Was it really only a year ago that I had absolutely no life whatsoever? And now… I have 2 boyfriends!

I shook my head at that last thought, actually I have 1 boyfriend, and his name is Kyle.

I gave a quick reassuring nod to Sierra as her eyebrows shot up her forehead.

“Wanna talk?” she asked a concerned look crossing her face.

“I’d love to, but I can’t. If have to meet someone,” I replied glancing at my watch. I had five minutes till I was supposed to meet with Zane. I took a deep, steadying breath and started to shuffle my way down the hall.

By the time I made