❝Nights on nights on nights

Days on days on days

Clock work, night work, homework

We don't take no breaks❞

-PRETTYMUCH, 10,000 Hours.

"So, I've been thinking of what to do for Riley's birthday, and I got it."

River looked away from his camera, and dropped his gaze on me, "What?"

I smiled proudly, "I'll bake her some cupcakes!"

River went back to taking pictures of random things without a word and I frowned, "I know I can't bake, but I spoke to Sky when working today and she doesn't mind teaching me how to. She said learning how to bake simple cupcakes is quite easy and I'm pretty sure I can learn fast."

River sighed and looked away from his camera again, "You know you don't have to, right?"

"I want to, though. I know Riley will probably have lots of cakes but I want to do something for her."

"Well, that's thoughtful of you."

I smiled to myself but then, I felt a flash on my face. I immediately looked at River who had a smile on his face, "Did you just-"

"Yep. And you look really good," he winked , sitting beside me on the ground. "Want to see it?"

"Yeah," I shyly nodded.

He moved closer to me, close enough for me to take in most of his scent. "Look at that face," he said, his eyes on the camera as he showed it to me.

"Stop," I laughed.

"I'm not teasing, I promise," he chuckled, keeping his camera away. "But tell me, how was school today?"

I let out a breath, "You have no idea how lucky you are, waking up every morning but not having to go to school or deal with people or teachers."

"Is everything okay at school?"

I shrugged. "I just miss Kaleb, I guess."

"Are you guys okay?"

"I don't think so."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"I just feel like we're drifting apart. I mean, of course I didn't expect that I'd be stuck with him forever, but I met Kaleb in 6th grade. Some guys Mason and Drew dared him to steal my lunch."

Beside me River chuckled so I continued, "He was successful, though. At the time, I'd gone to grab some juice and I got back to my table and I didn't see my food. Then, I saw him laughing with Mason and Drew, so I angrily marched up to them and asked for my food, and he gave it back."

"I'm surprised he gave it back," River said.

"He looked really sorry, though, and all the anger I felt just went away. He apologized after lunch and I don't know, we just clicked. We became tight friends after that day," I paused. "When he started dating Sydney earlier this year, I knew Sydney didn't like me and that was fine, because I don't like her either, but I knew that at some point it'll cause problems between me and Kaleb, and maybe I just expected him to handle things better. I miss him is all. I miss hanging out after school or later in the day, binge watching an entire series on Netflix, sending each other stupid memes we both relate to or grabbing breakfast on our way to school," It was now I realized how much I missed him. "We don't even go to school together anymore. Today, he got to school late. Said he overslept."

"How did you get to school then?"

"The bus," I answered.

"You like the bus? I always hated the bus."

I laughed. "Nah, I don't like the bus either. The driver makes it even more unbearable."

"Have you spoken to Kaleb about how you feel? He may not know."

"No, I haven't," I shook my head.

"I suggest you should."

I shrugged, "Okay." I let out a breath, "I'm sorry for ranting."

"It's good to vent. Keeping it inside won't help. I'm glad you opened up about it."

"A part of me thinks it's a good thing, though. I feel like I've been too dependent on him for a long time now."

"Come on, he helped you try to make me jealous-"

"Please, don't remind me," I laughed, turning red.

"No, that plan was smart," he chuckled. "I'll give that to whoever came up with it, but what I'm trying to say is, clearly you two make quite a team. And even though you feel like this is helping you to be less dependent on him, you shouldn't retaliate or now push him away."

I shook my head. "I wouldn't."

He threw his arm around my shoulder and I snuggled closer to him.

We were quiet for a while until I looked up at him, "What's on your mind?"

He hesitated before looking at me, "What do you think about me and you? Like, in a relationship."

I didn't see that one coming and I swore my heart skipped a beat. I felt my cheeks go hot when I answered, "I think I'd like it."

He nodded, smiling to himself. "Okay."

I wanted to ask what he was up to, but something told me I knew better than to ask.

We went back to being silent, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence, and I took the opportunity to think of what it would be like being in an actual relationship with River.

*

"Aw, look at how cute you look. Eyebrows furrowed and all."

I rolled my eyes at Tanner teasing me and was unaware when he came right beside me, crouching a bit to take a look at my homework. "What's up? Math homework?"

I bit the end of my pencil and nodded.

"Do you want to maybe call Kaleb to explain it to you?"

I shook my head, "I want to see how far I can go by myself."

Tanner nodded and then kissed the side of my head, "Okay."

There was a knock on the door and Tanner went to get the door. I was hopeful that it would be Kaleb until I heard Tanner say, "Hey babe."

I rolled my eyes and groaned inwardly, packing up my text and notebook, going to my room immediately. I didn't want to even see Kendall at all.

I was on my bed, scrolling through Twitter when a text message popped up on my screen. I sat up on my bed in excitement when I saw it was one from Zee.

~Hi Renée, how are you? I'm free from work Saturday and I'd love to spend the day with you. Let me know if you'll be free then. If not, we can work something out.~

I was about to say I was free when I remembered it was Riley's birthday.

~Hi Zee! I'm so happy to hear from you, and I'm fine, I'd love to hang out but I wouldn't be free on Saturday. I have a birthday party to attend. Can we do it another day?~

~Of course, honey. We can do Sunday.~

~Okay, I'll see you then. Cant wait!~

*

"Renée, you're without a doubt going to be late for school today," Tanner said to me the next morning.

"I know that," I replied.

"Good. Is Kaleb coming to pick you?"

"I think at this point we both know that he isn't."

"Well, okay smartass," he downed his cup of orange juice.

"Will you take me?" I asked sweetly.

"I can't, Renee. I have to be at work in 20 minutes. You might have to take the bus."

I groaned and grumbled, "Why?"

"It's not my fault, " he shrugged.

My phone vibrated indicating I had a text. One from River at that, and I was surprised he was even uo. If I had no school to attend, Heaven knows I'd still be asleep at this time.

~Hey, you don't want to be late for school, do you?~

I couldn't help but smile as I replied, ~Kinda already am. I'm screwed.~

~Not if you get your pretty self out now.~

~What are you saying, River?~

~Come on out, Renée.~

I smiled to myself, kissed Tanner's cheek, "I think I have a ride. Love you. Bye."

I hurried out and saw River waiting in his car. "How on earth are you here at 7:30am? Aren't you supposed to be in bed still?" I said as I got into the car.

"I should, but I wanted to be your chauffeur this morning."

I looked at him for a while, "Why are you so sweet?"

"What can I say?" He smiled proudly and started the car. "Can you put your school name on the map?" He nodded to his phone and I did so.

"You saved my ass this morning. I would have been really late, plus I would have had to take the bus. How are you, though?"

"I'm great. I figured after dropping you off, I would go straight to the bakery and start working for the day."

"That's a pretty good idea. You'd get a lot done that way."

He pulled up to my school minutes later and people walking and in the parking lot had their eyes on River.

"I'd be really popular if I were in this school, wouldn't I?" River chuckled.

I smiled, "What do you think?"

I was secretly happy River didn't attend my school or any school at all. I knew I wasn't the only one who knew how cute he was. I wanted to tell the girls looking at him to look away and I liked that River didn't see bothered about it.

River found a good parking spot and then turned to me, "I'll see you in the afternoon?"

"Yep," I nodded and he ruffled my hair.

This boy's cuteness would be the death of me.