I Can’t Say No, If you Ask Me - B.N. (book series for 10 year olds .TXT) 📗

is being gently pushed into my side, distracting me. I look to see Finn trying to hand me the tray that I thought was meant for Tamara. I give him a small embarrassed smile and take it.
“Thanks” I say, my voice barely audible.
“What are you doing after school?” he asks suddenly, placing a greasy slice of pizza on his tray.
When I don’t answer right away he looks over at me. I felt frozen in place for a second. Why was he asking me what I was doing after school? I blink then place pizza on my tray also. I shrug. “Nothing, why?” I ask, curious to what he was getting at.
“Just wondering if you wanna hang out with me after school” he says nonchalantly.
My eyes narrow as my heart beats against my rib cage with excitement. “You want to hang out with me?” I ask, skeptical.
He smirks. “I sure do Sweetheart, so you better be at my house later” he says teasingly.
I fight a smile and go to pay for my lunch. What was with that? He was definitely up to something, right?
After school in the parking lot Charlotte wouldn’t stop teasing me about going over Finn’s house. I had decided that it was a cruel little joke that he had made up with his friends at lunch and I was defiantly not embarrassing myself again so I was set on going home.
Half way home, I noticed that a certain shiny red Mustang had been following me the whole time. Finn was so following me to my house. I wondered if that was a good thing or bad thing. It was probably the latter. That didn’t stop my heart from hammering around in my chest or me from feeling oddly giddy.
I parked in my driveway, noticing that my dad wasn’t home. Finn’s Mustang pulled in beside me and I gathered my things, headed for my house. I heard his door open then shut, soon his foot steps where behind me. I smiled.
“So you’re stalking me now?” I tease turning my head slightly to see his reaction.
He grinned as he watched me unlock my door. I walked in and he followed me in without me even inviting him in.
“I knew you were going to ditch me” he said, following me to my bedroom.
“I didn’t think you were serious” I say, throwing my stuff on my floor and head towards the kitchen.
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m sorry to say this but you’re a weird one Sweetheart” he teases while taking a seat at our kitchen table and watch me as I scan the refrigerator for something to snack on.
“Do you plan leaving anytime soon?” I ask rudely.
“Nope, I think I’ll just chill here with you…if you don’t mind” he says smoothly.
“Whatever” I shrug, acting as if I didn’t care either way.
I grab two glasses and pour us some soda. I hand him his, knowing that he’s like me and doesn’t like ice in his drinks. He gives me a smile and I roll my eyes. “We should watch a movie” he suggests. I nod and head for the living room.
After arguing for about fifteen minutes over whether we should watch a romantic comedy or a horror movie, I cave and let him choose his stupid scary movie. I narrow my eyes as he chooses one. He knows I hate scary movies and I get scared easily but he seems to have forgotten. As the movie starts I curl up on the couch and he comes over to sit next to me. He sits rather closely, which I don’t mind since I need something to cling to when I get scared. I think about this for a moment then it dawns on me why Finn chooses what he did. He was totally milking the ‘you can hold on to me when you get scared’ card, but I couldn’t do anything about it. And if I could, would I?
Not even half way into the movie, I was already clung on to his arm and burying my face into his shoulder. He didn’t seem to mind, in fact, after awhile he put his arm around me and held me close. My stomach tightened and I wondered if he noticed how fast my heart began to beat. I lay face on his hard muscular chest and try to look at anything but the TV screen but I can still hear what’s going on and I jump at every scary occurrence. I kept looking up at him to find him staring at me. Every time it happened he would smirk and look back at the movie.
When the credits started to roll across the screen I found it safe to leave his arms. I went to sit up but his arm tightened around me, holding me to him. I look up at him with wide eyes.
“You know why I chose this movie right?” he asked, looking down at me with a raised eyebrow.
I shake my head no. It was a lie, I knew but I wanted to hear him answer.
He moved his lips to my ear. “So I could-
His soft murmur was cut off by the sound of my dad’s car pulling up. I jumped at the sound and began to feel panicked. I stood up, pushing his arms that were around me away. He stood looking annoyed. I eyed him, confused. What was he so annoyed about? Maybe because my dad ruined…well, whatever he was about to say.
“My dad doesn’t like it when I have guys over” I say, not that I’ve ever had a guy over before. Unless you count the middle school years when Finn always came over, I don’t.
Finn smirks, then runs a hand though his dark tousled hair. “You say that like you’ve actually had a guy over” he said, then realizing what he’s said he comes closer with an apologetic expression on his face.
I back away from him, feeling as though he’s just slapped me in the face. I can feel the blush creeping into my cheeks from a mixture of embarrassment, anger, and shock.
“Sweetheart-” he starts but the sound of my dad opening the door stops him.
Dad walks in and eyes the two of us, looking slightly confused then his face clears and he smiles at Finn. “How’s it going Finn? Haven’t seen you in awhile” my dad says, making his way to the kitchen.
“Hi, Mr. Ellings” Finn says politely, but his eyes are still on me.
Dad seemed to get that we were in the middle of something and exits the room without another word. I glare at the carpet, not wanting to look at Finn. I was so offended by what he said that I didn’t even talk to him. Is that what he really thought of me? Some loser who couldn’t even get a boy to come to her house and hang out. I felt the familiar wave of rejection wash through me that usually happens when I’m around Finn. I sigh and look up at him.
“Walk me to my car?” he asks softly.
I nod, following him outside. It was dark know, not to mention freezing. I shivered and leaned against my car as he took his time getting his keys out of his pocket.
He finally finds them and unlocks his door. Before he gets in he take a deep breath. “I’m sorry…for what I said. I say stupid things sometimes. Tell me you forgive me, Sweetheart?” his question comes out like a demand and I scrunch up my face.
“Sure, Finn, whatever you want” I say softly, pushing off my car and heading into my house.
He surprises me by walking up behind me and giving me a squeeze. I sigh, feeling overwhelmed by the effect this strange boy has on me. He tilts his head and kisses my cheek from behind. My body tingles a bit and I ignore the giddy feeling that seems to always follow after Finn’s brief contacts.
“Goodnight Sweetheart” he murmurs near my ear and soon he releases me and heads towards his car.
I walk into the house and go to the kitchen, where dad is making dinner.
“So, are you guys Facebook official?” he teases, but I know he wants to know what had happened between us in the living room.
I shake my head no. “No, dad…can’t a boy and girl just hang out as friends?” I ask, waiting for his witty comment in return.
“From what it looked like, he’d be lucky if you ever talk to him again” he said, waiting for my response.
I sighed, I couldn’t get anything pass him. “We’re fine, it was just-”
“A little argument?” he finished for me.
I shrugged. “If you want to call it that” I say, standing and heading to my room. It was more like him insulting me then apologizing, I hadn’t even defended myself. What a loser. I needed to get some back bone.
“I’ll call you when dinner’s ready” he says and I nod.
Why hadn’t I defended myself? Oh yeah, because when it comes to Finn, I have absolutely no will power. I needed to fix that…soon.


Chapter three

Chapter three
I looked around the kitchen, in search of a drink without alcohol in it. So far I wasn’t having much luck. I sighed, temporally giving up, and leaned against the counter. Next to me was a random couple making out. I tried to ignore them even though it was grossing me out. I watched as Eli entered the kitchen, his soft blue eyes in search of something. He smiles as his eyes land on me. I smile back shyly as he walks towards me.
“Having fun?” he asked, trying to make small talk.
I shake my head. “Not really, parties aren’t my thing” I admit.
He seemed to be thinking about what I said because he didn’t say anything for a while.
“Finn…he invited you?” he asked slowly, as if trying to piece something together.
“Yeah, why?” I ask, wanting to know why he was asking.
He runs his hand through his golden blonde hair, shaking his head at the same time. “Just wanting to know why you’re here if you hate parties” he said. His soft blue eyes locked with mine and I looked away uncomfortably.
I don’t answer because I don’t really know what I’m doing here. I feel my face slowly flush.
“Just as I thought” he said shaking his head at me.
I scrunch up my face, confused and curious. “What are you talking about?” I asked, well, demanded.
He looked down at me, his soft blue eyes glowing with secrecy. He gave me a mischievous smile.
“I want to dance, come on” he said, taking my hand and leading me to the living room where everyone was dancing. Obviously he wasn’t going