Our Eternal Ruin (Auslly)

22. Three Weeks

"Thank you," he whispered into my hair after a few silent minutes, "for coming with me."

"Pretty sure it should be me thanking you." I linked my hands in his. "And thanks for being my boyfriend for two weeks."

He tensed.

"What? You did say two weeks, right?" I elbowed him in the ribs. "I mean, you're throwing me a bone. That's it, right?"

"No." He turned me in his lap. "No bone, no pity dates. I want you..." His hand caressed my face gently, his fingertips grazing my skin and then pulling back as if the contact was too much for him to handle. "I like you a lot."

"So... the two weeks is up for discussion?" I joked.

He swallowed, staring into my eyes as if searching for something, "I'll tell you what..."

His voice cracked. "I'll give you as much time as I have."

"As much time as you have." I searched his face trying to figure out why he would say it like that. "Are you planning on not having much time?"

He looked straight through me.

It was as if he had seen a ghost, his face went pale and his eyes watered.

"Sure." I answered quickly. "As much time as you have." I say in a soft voice.

"Promise?" He jerked his head away and looked out at the ocean. "Promise me?"

"I promise."

"Good." His smile returned, he kissed me on the cheek. "Let's go get dinner then. I'm sure dad's hungry and you've had a long day. We can watch a movie later, alright?"

"Sounds good." I hopped off his lap but didn't release his hand; for some reason it seemed important.

Important that I touch him as much as possible. How crazy did that sound? I felt this urgency to be near him as if he was going to disappear at any minute.

Wow, who was insecure now? I pushed the thought out of my head and swore to myself I wasn't going to overthink it.

I liked him, he liked me, and I officially had more than two weeks. I knew it was like we were moving fast, but I really liked him, and I knew in my heart two weeks would never be enough.

Actually, I was pretty sure that whole year wouldn't be enough. Summer might just ruin me if I didn't get to see him at least once.

Who knew? Maybe I could take summer school so I could be close by; that was, if he wasn't bored with me by then.

~~~~ (ू•-•ू⑅) ~~~~

Dinner went by smoothly.

You know, if smooth meant I couldn't decide which fork to use with my salad and which one to use with the salmon.

At one point Mr. Moon, or Mike as he preferred I call him, began showing me which utensil to use by lifting it high in the air and diving into his food. I kind of loved him. He had Austin's fun personality but still seemed to be grounded.

I was stuffed by the time the meal was done.

"And now..." Mike pushed back his chair. "I bid you farewell. Tomorrow we have turkey and I'm watching football."