Mandolin Rain

Elliot's POV

“Elliot.” Harry whispers disrupting the silence of nature.

“Yes Harry?”

“I like you.” Oh my gosh, is this it? He's admitting it to me?

“Well I like you too.” I elbow him and laugh trying to lighten the mood.

“No, I mean, I really like you.” He finally looks at me and I can see it in his eyes.

“I know Harry. I really like you too.” There, I've said it. It's out in the open.

“You do?” He asks shocked, eyes wide like I've just told him the best news ever.

“Well, yeah. I didn't want to say anything because we were just friends but I like you. I've liked you for a while I guess.” I explain.

“How long?” He asks.

“You first.” I demand, I'm not giving up everything.

“I liked you ever since I heard your voice when I woke up after I crashed.” He admits.

I catch his eyes in shock, since the first moment I spoke to him? “Are you serious? That's so cute. I started liking you when you gave me daises.” I admit my feelings. I can't believe this is finally happening. “So now what?” I ask once again finding courage. I don't think I'll be sleeping all night.

“I don't know. I mean. I like you, do you want to go on a proper date with me?” He asks nervously, he keeps fidgeting with his fingers moving them around and pulling at his shirt.

“I would like that Harry.” I smile and turn back to the stars. We sit for a moment in silence.

“Why is this suddenly so awkward?” Harry asks and I burst out in laughter.

“I was wondering the same thing!” I exclaim as I pull my feet up and jump onto my feet. I strip off my shirt, still wearing my sports bra and short shorts and prepare for a dive.

“What are you doing?” Harry asks me shocked as he starts to sit up.

“Jumping in!” I explain and with that I dive into the lake. The cold of the water rakes over my body as I pop back up quickly and start treading water.

“Are you crazy?” Harry asks me, he's standing now.

“I do this every year Harry. Midnight swims are the best. Care to join?” I ask.

“Um, no.” He responds and I laugh.

“It's the same lake you were in this afternoon. It's just dark.”

“Well how do I know that alligators aren't in the water now or anything else?” He asks.

“Mainly because there are no alligators in California unless you're at a zoo Harry.” I splash him as he takes a step back.

“Hey now! Be nice!” He cautiously steps back to the edge of the dock. “So since I'm not getting in and I can't really see you, what's on your bucket list Lettie?”

I tread some water and think, “My bucket list? Good question. I want to pet a live shark, take a hot air balloon ride, sky dive, fly a plane, even if it's a little one, see the Statue of Liberty in person, umm deep sea fish, write a book, kiss someone on the Eiffel tower, feed an alligator just because you were afraid of alligators being in the lake, and learn how to install carpet.” I feel satisfied with my answer.

“Learn how to install carpet? Who put's that on a bucket list?” He asks laughing.

“I don't know. Have you ever seen someone do it? I think it's cool. Almost like an art.” I explain.

“You are weird.”

“Well, fancy man, whats on your bucket list then?” I ask as I turn to float on my back in the water.

“Well I want to volunteer more, go to the Super Bowl when the Packers play, drive across the United States, spend the whole summer with my mum and sister, give every fan of ours a hug, write something in the sky for someone, scuba dive, make a hole in one. Just to name a few.”

“Those are good! I'm sure you've done quite a few things on your bucket list already.” I state.

“I have, I've been really lucky. What do you fear the most?” He asks getting serious.

“I feel like my fears are pretty basic, I'm afraid of being left, never finding the one I'll spend the rest of my life with, and something terrible happening to my parents when they choose these crazy adventures they take. What about you?”

“Well, to be honest, I'm not really afraid of anything.” I laugh as well as Harry. “But seriously, I'm afraid of snakes, which is why I'm amazed I'm even out here, afraid of the band falling apart, and afraid I'll never really be happy.”

I nod my head even though I can't see him, it's amazing how dark it gets when you're away from city lights finally and out in the open. I'm still in the water when I finally ask, “Harry. Are you happy?”

I hear him take a deep breath. “I think I am. I love everything about life right now. I mean, I'd like some electricity and running water right about now but since I've met you things have just been easier. I smile more, laugh more, I'm more at peace.” He explains.

“That's the yoga!” I laugh trying to lighten the mood.

“No, Elliot, that's you.” He explains as I decide to swim closer to the dock and around to the side where the wooden ladder is.

I pull myself up, dripping wet and ring my hair out. I see Harry turn to face me.

“Thank you.” He simply tells me.

“For what?” I ask as I bravely inch forward.

“For making me remember how to have fun and not care what others think of me.” I've walked right up to him, inches away from him in all honestly.

“Well Harry, that's all you, sometimes you just have to be reminded every once in a while.” I smile in the dark.

He wraps his arms around me and just when I think he'll kiss me, he just pulls me closer to embrace me.

“I hope you enjoy how cold and wet I am.” I whisper in his ear as he laughs. “Hope you know the water is a lot warmer then my clothes currently are.” He tries to pull away but I make sure his shirt and boxes are fully wet from my clothes before I let him.

“Thanks for that.” He tells me sarcastically.

“You hugged me!” I defend myself as I pull away. “We should head back so we can get some sleep.” I tell him as I grab my shirt and start walking away.

Notes

Awww...NO kiss. Yet. :)

And yes, I know I've made it to 19 chapters and still no kiss but it's coming.

And, caught a bit of flack because there's no drama yet (from some messages) BUT, how many of you would stay with a guy after you've known him for like 2 months, not even official together, and there was a ton of drama? I'd cut him loose, I don't do well with guy drama and if I had only known him for a few weeks or something, he'd be gone.

So anyway! I'm pretty bummed that Manchester United lost today in the season opener. So I spent the day outside, which is why my update is a wee bit late.

Yay for the weekend! Happy Saturday! And thanks, as always for all your comments, votes, and subscriptions, love to hear from you all!

xo