Heart on Fire (Chandler Riggs)

chapter 4 - warmth

THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED.....WHAT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR...DRUMROLL PLZ

        It was 2:00pm and I was typing away on my phone. Danielle and I had kept in contact mostly through texts but we didn't hang out in person because she was on a cruise in the Bahamas for a month. I left Danielle hanging as I hopped in the shower for the mall with Chandler, making it quick so I could lower the water bill. Afterwards, I put on an acne wash and applied light BB cream. Mascara was the last step before I got dressed. I wasn't looking to impress anyone so I kept it simple by putting on flower denim shorts and a black tank top with lace spaghetti straps. I then left my hair in it's wavy state. Before I knew it, my clock read 2:55pm as I was slipping on my watch. Lacing up my shoelaces on my black converse high tops, I heard a vehicle pull into my driveway. I didn't even bother to say goodbye to my mother before heading outside. The black limo, in its entirety, was waiting for me.

A man in a suit pulled the door open for me as I walked over to it, revealing the same boy I had seen yesterday in the car. I sat in the back seat, thanking the man before making eye contact with the guy again. His blue eyes were putting me in a trance and his hair looked soft. He was wearing a t-shirt representing the band, 'The Ramones' and black jeans with Converse. HIs lips curved into a charming smile, which made me want to melt into his muscular arms. I took a wild guess that this highly attractive boy, sitting beside me, was the infamous Chandler Riggs.

"Hey, I'm Chandler." He said, smiling at me. His smile was to die for. He really needs to stop doing that or I'm going to die before we even arrive at the mall. 

"I'm Hadley, Hadley Moone." I said in an unintenionally dreamy tone, which made me sound like an idiot. We both laughed afterwards.

"Middle name?" He urged on, proping his hand on the soft material of the seat of the limo.

I giggled. "Gwen. Hadley Gwen Moone." 

"Beautiful," he replied with ease. I put my head in my hands, covering my flushed face. I soon rose my head.

"What about you? What's your full name?" I asked, as his contagious smile returned to his lips, causing me to smile also.

"Chandler Carlton Riggs." 

Chandler and I talked alot more on our way to the mall, and we bonded more than I thought we would. We liked alot of the same things but had different views. As we reached the mall complex, Chandler put his hand on my bare thigh.

"Listen.." he started. I nodded, to let him know I was listening. "Since you know, you're my girlfriend, now," he put quotations around girlfriend, "there will probably be some cameras and paparazzis around. If I put my arm around you or hold your hand, I'm not making a move, it's just..what I have to do." He said and I smiled in acknowledgement.

"How do I know that you're not just using this fake girlfriend thing as an excuse to make a move?" I wiggled my eyebrows and he laughed obnoxiously. It was like he had no cares when he laughed and he was in pure euphoria. It spread happiness to others. Like me, and I needed the happiness badly.

As we parked in front of the mall, Chandler motioned for me to wait in the car. He soon came around on my side, opening the door and holding his hand out. I took it gladly, smiling as he intertwined our fingers. We strolled into the mall, as Chandler's bodyguard-type guy followed us also. It was a bit awkward, but I didn't mind.

"What's your favorite quote?" Chandler asked as soon as we got in the mall.

I giggled. "What?" The way he said the question humored me, as if it was of serious urgency.

"Your favorite quote. I feel like someone's favorite quote says alot about them." Chandler explained.

"Um...if I had to choose one, it'd probably be.." I paused to think for a minute.

"I think I fall in love a little bit with anyone who shows me their soul. This world is so guarded and fearful. I appreciate rawness so much." I huffed after saying it. "Emery Allen."

His smile was not from something funny or entertaining; it was very genuine and beautiful. It was a new smile of Chandler's I'd just discovered. It was a smile as if he'd uncovered something about me and was enlightened by it. His blue eyes gleamed with emotion. 

Instead, he didn't say anything. He spoke to me with his facial expressions. That was how he reacted and I could tell he was slowly discovering me, piece by piece.

"It's so fluffy!" I exclaimed, throwing my head back in laughter as we passed Build-A-Bear Workshop. Chandler paused, taking his hand out of mine and lazily throwing his arm over my shoulder, pulling me closer. I smiled at the warmth I was suddenly given from his body. 

"Want to go inside?" He asked me, locking eyes with me.

"No, Chandler, it's fine, I jus-"

"Let's go." He interrupted. I sighed before laughing and walking into the store. I picked the teddy I wanted, then I went to fill it up with cotton. I grabbed a handful of cotton before shoving it in Chandler's face, erupting in a fit of laughter. Chandler pouted, pretending to be mad. Afterwards, we got to the naming part. 

"Name him...Carl!" Chandler yelled, crossing his arms.

"Why?" I asked, and he looked at me as if I was crazy.

"Carl Grimes..you know, The Walking Dead? My character?" He informed me, looking to see if I was catching on.

"I don't watch it, sorry." I said with a teasing smile on. "I think I'm gonna name him Carlton. It's cute." I smirked as I watched his jaw drop.

"Aw, please don't."

"Carlton, it is." 

After the mall flew by, we were in my driveway before I knew it. Chandler and I both got out of the limo, and now we were standing on my doorstep.

"I can't wait to see you again," he said, not even a hint of nervousness inching on his face.

"Yeah. The next appearance is next weekend..maybe we could even hang out before then." He nodded, smiling again. I squinted my eyes, looking at a bush in front of my mailbox. I saw camera lens peaking out of the bush. 

"There's someone taking pictures of us," I whispered to him, and he turned where I was looking, catching a glimpse of the photographer before the bandit dived into the plant. 

"Quick," Chandler told me but I wasn't able to process the phrase before I felt soft lips attached to  mine. Warmth radiated from his lips to mine, sending chills all over my body. My hands were gripping tightly on the sides of Chandler's shirt while his hands were on my neck. Our lips moved in sync for a few more seconds before I slowly detached my lips from his. We both were smiling like idiots as I trailed my hand down off of his shirt.

I unlocked my front door, as Chandler snatched me back, planting a nice, sweet kiss on my temple.

"Bye, Hadley Gwen."