A/N: 15.04.19

☝️☝️☝️☝️The picture above is honestly what Carter would look like, a cute lil bean (the title of this chapter and the pic are not linked, the title has to do with the context that is down below 👇👇👇 Just in case any of you misunderstood anything)

Double update because it's raining and I'm in a good mood

🚬🚬🚬

Killian and I made it to the park at the same time. He saw me and was probably going to say his usual "Hey Jones" in that husky voice of his and blinding smile, but I swiftly avoided eye contact and turned towards Eshe's older sister who was sitting on a bench.

"Hey, Anna!" I called, jogging up to her. She looked up and as soon as she saw me, she let out a small sigh of relief.

"Carter, I'm so glad that you're-" she paused as she turned to my side, her jaw dropping in shock as she saw Killian. "Well hellooo there hubba bubba."

She started to pat down and quickly fixing her hair as Killian now stood beside me.

"I brought Killian along, he's um, he's my classmate," I said. "I thought that maybe he could help us find Pumpkin."

"Hi," greeted Killian with a warm smile as he extended his hand. "I probably have class with your sister, but I wouldn't know since I never come."

She giggled, probably thinking that it was just a joke.

"Hi," sh said dreamily, batting her lashes like there was something inside of them as she shook his hand. "I'm Anna, Eshe's hot, single sister."

I tried not to groan while Killian just chuckled.

"I think we should start looking for Pumpkin," I said, clearing my voice. I took out my phone and turned it on flashlight mode.

"Right," she grunted, quickly standing up as if she only just remembered the whole reason why we were here. "Oh and here Carter, I brought you a flashlight, it should be brighter than the light on your phone."

"It's okay, you should use it," I said.

Anna rolled her eyes. "You're afraid of the dark so you should be the one the have it " she insisted. My eyes widened, face turning bright red as I glanced towards Killian who smiled.

Yeah, he definitely heard.

"You're afraid of the dark?" He mused, making me shrink beside him as I stared at my feet.

"I-I-I am not!" I huffed in denial, my voice slightly cracking from the lie. Why did Anna have to expose me like that?! "I just prefer it when the sun is out and when I can actually see what's in front of me."

Anna leaned towards Killian and cupped her hand over her mouth, but he had to slightly bend so that she could reach his ear.

"He's a total scaredy cat," she whispered, making me turn even redder. "And don't even get me started with scary movies, he's so terrified of them that he'll stick to you like glue and scream like a girl. Trust me, I know."

"A-A-Anna!" I cried in disbelief, looking at her and trying send her a desperate signals to stop.

"I'll keep in that mind," murmured Killian, definitely enjoying this.

Maybe I made a mistake bringing him here. Wait, I didn't even invite him, he came here on his own accord!

"Pumpkin," I grumbled hoarsely, wanting to get this over with so that I could go back home and sleep. "Let's hurry up and find Pumpkin."

"Alright, alright, but really, take this" said Anna, taking my phone and handing me her flashlight. "Let's go."

As she walked in to the forest, I accidentally met eyes with Killian.

"Scaredy cat Jones, sounds kind of catchy, don't you think?" He beamed.

I swatted him away as I marched forward. "Leave me alone."

We searched deeper in to the forest and no longer had the streetlights to light the way, completely dependant on our phones and flashlights.

While we searched for Pumpkin, I could hear Killian and Anna telling each other random stories and jokes, talking like they've known each other for years. I knew that I was the one avoiding Killian, but I still felt kind of left out.

I guess Killian really did flirt with everyone.

I mentally shook my head, my brows starting to furrow.

Wait, what am I saying? Why do I sound jealous?

While I continued to debate with myself, my ears perked up as I heard a sudden rustling noise. I froze in my steps and started to move my flashlight side-to-side to look around me, squinting my eyes as the noise slowly started to get louder and louder.

It was coming from behind.

"Guy, I think-" but when I turned around, I noticed that the noise wasn't coming from Pumpkin, but from Killian and Anna, who were both trying to unwrap their lollipops.

My mouth widened as I stared at them in disbelief. "Really?"

They both looked up, looking just as clueless as the other.

"Oh sorry, did you want one?" asked Killian, offering me his. I twitched.

"I'm good," I grumbled. But as we were about to continue our search, we all heard a sudden "meow" that came from above. Killian raised his phone and the light reflected two beady red eyes, making me jump in surpise. Fortunately it was too dark for Killian and Anna to notice and I quickly cleared my voice like nothing happened.

"Pumpkin!" exclaimed Anna, running towards the tree her cat was sitting on.

"Come here baby, come to mama," she said, making kissy noises to get Pumpkin's attention. But the cat just sat on the branch, ignoring her owner and licking her paws instead. 

"I like her," chuckled Killian as we watched the disobedient cat continue to not give a single care in the world.

"What should we do? The branch is too high for anyone to reach her," pouted Anna.

"Maybe one of us can lift another so that they can climb up the tree and get Pumpkin," I suggested.

"Which one of us is the tallest and strongest?" asked Anna. Without even needing to reply, we both shifted our gaze towards Killian who simply smiled. "And who's the shortest and lightest?"

I turned towards Anna but they both turned towards me, making me flinch.

"I'm a few inches taller than you Anna," I frowned. Anna raised an unconvinced brow so I quickly went to stand beside her, straightening my back as I held my breath. "Killian," I winced. "Who's taller?"

I anxiously watched as he narrowed his eyes, glancing from her to me.

"Anna."

My jaw dropped wide-open and Anna giggled.

"Oh, but I understand if you're too scared to go up Carter. Killian, why don't you lift me instead-"

"Come on Jones, I'll help you up," he said, walking towards me. I frowned, but before I could protest, he crouched down and wrapped his arms around my calves. I gasped, quickly holding onto his broad shoulders so that I wouldn't fall forward.

I could feel his muscles flex as lifted me up, pursing my lips and trying not to get distracted by how strong his body felt.

"Am I heavy?" I asked nervously.

"Light as a feather," he winked. "Can you reach the branch?"

I looked up and raised my hands, wincing as I stretched my arms as far as I could. 

"Yeah, I got it," I said as my fingers wrapped around it.

"Can you pull yourself up?"

I looked down and blinked at him with a sheepish laugh.

"Um..."

But he let go of me and my feet started to dangle as I struggled to even keep myself up.

I tightened my jaw, letting out a loud grunt as I tried to pull myself up but didn't succeed. I looked back towards Killian as my fingers started to slip on the bark.

"Can you please come back and hold me?" I whimpered, scared that I'd fall. He chuckled, standing under me and putting his arms around my thighs to slowly lower me down. Once I was back on the ground, I opened the my hands and frowned at the scratches the dried bark left on my palms.

Killian leaned over but I quickly closed my hands.

"Let me see," he murmured, gently uncurling my fingers. I glanced towards the worried look on his face and felt my heart quicken at how close he was.

"Does it hurt?" he asked sternly.

"No, I'm okay," I said, still surprised by how big his hands were compared to mine. "They're just small scratches, it really isn't anything serious."

"Um, guys?" coughed Anna. "The cat?"

I quickly pulled away from Killian, somewhat feeling flustered. "Maybe I should try again?"

"Forget it," grumbled Killian, handing me his phone. He stretched his arms and rolled the tip of his shoes against the ground before jumping up and grabbing onto the branch. Anna and I stared wide-eyed as he swiftly pulled himself up and started to climb up the thick branches.

He made it to the one Pumpkin was sitting on and gently grabbed her before climbing back down. But his phone suddenly buzzed and his screen lit up.

56 messages?! Just how popular was this guy?!

I didn't mean peak, but I unintentionally ended up reading the message that he just recieved.

Amber: Are you really going to break up with me after last night? And through text?!

Killian made it back down and I quickly looked away, pressing the side button so that the screen would turn off and watched him hand Anna her cat.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Asked Anna in admiration. "Do you work out? I so happen to hit the gym too, if you're ever free-"

"Home," I suddenly blurted. I quickly gave Killian his phone back before briskly walking past them.

"Hey Carter, wait up!" Called Anna.

What was with this unpleasant feeling that I got when he was too close to Anna? Or when he received a text from another girl? I couldn't actually be jealous, could I? I mean, why would I? It wasn't like I saw Killian as my friend or had romantic feelings for him, right? And if I did, then which one was it?

We continued to walk out of the forest, seeing the street lights that weren't too far away.

Why did this emotion feel so... Ugly?

I frowned, shoving my hands in my jacket pocket but my body suddenly stiffened as I frantically started to pat them.

They were empty.

"What's wrong?" asked Anna as I stopped in my steps.

"I um..." It must have slipped when I tried to climb up the tree. "I think I left something."

"Where are you going?" asked Killian as I turned around.

"You guys go on without me," I said over my shoulder as I quickly ran back into the dark forest by myself.