I'm really sorry for the long wait, thank you so much for the patience and I hope you like the chapter <3
I slowly got out the thick tension in the car, standing before the high school's building and for once I felt ease to be here. Brett had picked me half an hour ago and to say it was awkward was an understatement. We were struggling to ignore what went down last Friday in his room. The almost kiss.
I wasn't sure if he meant it, if he was just caught in the moment or whatever, but it was crystal clear there had been something different. Like a thickness that filled the air and made it awkward no matter how cool we tried to play it. Brett would smile and try to engage a conversation, but I could see the nervous hint behind it and the wary side looks as if trying to gaze my reaction.
"Lys, hold on." Brett's voice stopped me before I could go. I heard his door closing and his footsteps as he rounded the car and I bit my lip, my stomach a knot mess.
The school's parking lot was almost deserted around as the bell was about to ring and everyone was making their way towards the proper classes. I spun to face him, adjusting the bag's strands on my shoulder and shivering at the cold weather. In the time gap while we made our way here, the sky had turned from blue to thick grey, cold, about to pour the contained rain at any moment and I'd been stupid enough to think my black jumper would be enough.
"Yes?" I wondered as he stopped before me, locking the car beside us and slid on hand messily through his auburn hair. He looked nervous, stressed and maybe frustrated too.
"Are you mad at me?" the tip of his ears reddened and I felt my stomach dipping at the sudden blunt approach.
Mad? I was confused and altered, but to be honest, there were a thousand things in my mind, so beside the awkward tension now I wasn't really upset about it. "No."
But Brett gave me a frustrated huff. "Lys, come on."
"Really," I rushed. "I'm not. I'm just..." overwhelmed.
"Look." Brett looked away, brushing his neck and hair again, more frustrated now. "If this is about the other day I'm sorry. I didn't mean to mess this up. I like that we're friends again and now it felt like we're going back..."
"No, no. It isn't like that. I just, I'm a little confused."
"About what?"
Wasn't it obvious? "Brett... you..." I blushed just remembering our last encounter in his bedroom. "I like that we're friends again, but this feels like, I don't know... I just wasn't expecting-"
"Okay, I know." he cut me stepping forward before I could find the proper words and smiled at me, but there was a hint in his eyes. "I got a little carried away. We can forget about that. I'm sorry." Forget about that? So he didn't really mean it, did he? I should have seen it coming now I feel kinda silly. " Let's... let's just be friends and stop this awkwardness, yes? It's so weird to be like this with you. You always talked my ears out."
"Oh..."
"No that it's something bad." he rushed realizing how that sounded and I smiled lightly with him, brushing my arms as more shivers shuddered through me. Brett noticed it. "Hey are you cold? Here." he unfolded his varsity jacket that was hanging on his arm and before I could protest, he put it over my shoulders and it's warm immediately shield me but it felt weird. He grinned. "It actually suits you."
I giggled, glancing down at how it ended in my mid-thighs. "It does not. Won't you need it?"
"Nah, I'm fine." he did look fine, but still I shrugged in my arms. Brett let his eyes took in the huge cloth on me, smirking a little and the bell ran in the building so we made our way there. "Let's do this, you keep it and wear it in the football match next week."
Next week? That was the one against Richmore. The one that got them all stressing. And he wanted me to wear his jumper? The would be like officially being friends. I'd never wore his jersey, basically because he made it to the team when we weren't that close anymore, and still I'd never seen other girls with his jersey.
Yet he was offering it to me.
Wasn't it too much?
But he was trying, he was mending his mistakes, he made up for his time apart, kept apologizing for his past behaviour and last Friday he got me this chance to actually go to USC. If I keep feeling weird about his friendly moves he might as well stop trying.
So I stopped over thinking it, grinning up at him and surprised when he walked me to my locker and my class before leaving for his with a wink.
********************
Today was quite a tricky day, because not only I was slightly unsettled by Brett's new attitude, but I was also on guard, attend at any sign that Connor was in sight, not wanting to cause an awkward encounter after I stupidly kissed him Saturday morning. I kissed him!
I felt like groaning and digging a hole that would swallow me forever in embarrassment each time I think back at that moment in my front porch. Of the confusion of his eyes, the rushed getaway... but also of the shocking chills at the brush of his lips-
Okay, no. Snap out of it.
I was pretty sure I could literally die if I bumped into him, that I would faint or blush and babbled and then he would tell me what a big mistake this all was and cut all bonds with me.
I wasn't ready for that. I wasn't able to face him at the moment, but I didn't want him to stop talking to me. I had a crush, alright, an unrequired, totally inconvinient crush on my new friend, aka the brother of one of my best friends.
Which also means that I was currently avoiding Norah for the same reason. Knowing her she would ask and pry information until she was satisfied, and at the moment I didn't need someone to tell me 'I've told you', or to overthink my mistakes on top of my own analysing. And since she and Macy were finally on that cute phase where they were sticking to each other hip I kinda felt like I was avoiding everyone today.
When the lunch period arrived, I'd made a mental plan: I would take my time picking everything up, slowly reach my locker, and as everyone was busy with their business, I would find the furthest corner in the library and had my lunch away from it all. I'd already texted Macy telling her I would be catching up work and by the time I made it to my locker the plan was going pretty smooth.
The hallway was almost empty, only a few late comer like myself were splashed around. I dropped my backpack on the floor at my feet, shrugging off Brett's jersey knowing that the librarian always keeps the heater too high and opened the locker's door to let it there, but out flew a folded paper.
My heart did a little flip as I bent to grab it and distinct some of the rude words scratched there. Each day the same. I didn't know who was putting notes in my locker, but since both Jade and Noel had been suspended and they never stopped arriving I was pretty sure they weren't the culprits.
My bet was on Shannon. I didn't know what I ever did for that girl to hate me. I mean, I didn't know what I made for Jade and Noel to as well, but they at least seemed to have a motive. She hadn't even gotten punished for what she and Jade did to me in the locker room. Shannon was just a hateful girl that finds release in messing with the ones like me. Weak.
I crumbled it in my palm, my chest tightening as I throw it away and blink the moisture in my eyes. Why? Why would she keep up with this act? It was just stupid.
"Now that would be considered misbehaviour." spoke a glacial mocking tone by my side and everything in me shut down. Speak of the devil...
I peaked at Jade through my lashed, considering if it was better to ignore her and get done or if that would make her angrier. But was she angry?
For now all I heard was mocking and boredom as she rested on the locker beside mine, making the hairs on my back rose. And because of my brilliant plan the hallways were almost deserted. Almost. There were a few students around their chatting filled the otherwise silent building. She wouldn't risk getting caught a second time, and she didn't have enough public to put on an act, so what was the real meaning of her approach.
"What?" she grinned almost innocently when I remained speechless and tilted her head so some of her platinum hair slid from behind her ear as she held a book to her chest. "How are you doing, Alyson? It's been a while since we last speak."
It felt too soon. Too soon to be near her, to be talking to her. I just couldn't, but deciding it was not worth humoring her, I decided she wasn't here to fight and turned to my locker, putting all my effort in pretend like I wasn't lightly shaking in anticipation. But apparently she didn't like that, huffing and standing so she towered over me with her few inches taller.
"Cat got your tongue?"
"Just leave me alone."
"Aw, are you still sulking? Come on get over it." she pushed off the locker and I flinched at the sudden movement, feeling my heart leaping up my throat. Which apparently was amusing. "Oh, sweetie, scared are we? Don't worry, I've learned from my mistakes. Besides, I don't need to hit you to hurt you." she smiled twirling one strand of my hair and I immediately pulled it from her. "Oh, come on, take a joke- Is that Brett's jersey?"
The sudden question took me aback until I remember it was in my arms and my guts dipped a bit as I lowered my gaze there before meeting her glare. Okay, now she was mad.
I took one step backwards, but she was faster and gripped on the hem of the jersey, tugging back to I was once more on my original spot. "The 5 is his number. It's always been." her brows pinched, as if having a hard time processing it. "Why do you have it? He gave it to you?"
I wanted to tell her no, I wanted to tell her yes, and rub it in her face, but I wasn't by far as brave to do that. I just wanted her to forget about me and stop acting like it was my fault that she couldn't get what she wanted. And for the way her eyes shine in hurt and disbelieve, I could tell right now she was having a hard time processing it.
She was jealous.
Jade's eyes narrowed. "He's never let anyone wear his jersey before and now he gave it to you?" she put so much distaste, so much disgust in the 'you' that I flinched, shrinking as it sliced through me like knives.
Because, of course, the thought of someone like Brett giving me his jersey was ridiculous, it just didn't fit. Even if it was just as friends, and not how she was misreading it, Brett was one to be with model-like girl like Jade, way out of my league and I regretted there and then even accepting the cloth for warmth.
She scoffed, letting go of it with a scowl. "Whatever. Everyone knows you're his little charity case now so I shouldn't be surprised." A charity case? This is what this was about? The scholarship, the friendliness... Jade rolled her eyes, reading my shock as I once more failed to conceal my emotions. "What's new here? Someone like Brett is bound to feel sorry for you, especially with how close your parents were. I bet his mother told him to be nice to you." Yeah... he did tell me his mother made him drive me after everything. I was his punishment, his charity case. Jade let out a musical laugh, but it was painful to hear as I took that information in. "Aw, poor thing, You thought he was genuinely being your friend? Please. Let's face it, Alyson, why would he feel anything other than pity for you? It's so ridiculous it's almost cute."
Right, that made sense.
Why would Brett be my friend? For our past's sake? We were part of different social realities now and he now was being friendly again? After Jade's accident? No, before that. After he broke my camera and messed my scholarship.
The hallway's walls seemed to cage me and I barely saw Jade rolling her eyes while watching her nails as if completely bored. "Whatever, keep the jacket, it would make your outfit a favor, indeed. What I was here to tell you is that my restriction punishment is over, and the principal wanted me to offer my most sincere apologies to you." she smiled, a perfect grin that chilled my blood and made me unease. She wasn't sorry at all. "I've learnt my lesson and nothing like that would ever happen again. And since we are all besties now, here's some advice: Brett's way out of your league, just stay away."
My face heated up, not only for how humiliating it was to be called out on something so obvious, but also because what she was implying there.
"I-I'm not after him."
"Tell that to yourself and stop being delusional. You're just gonna embarrass yourself." she eyed me up and down and snorted. "More, I mean. Why don't you focus on that creep that follows you around?" Connor. My heart beated harshly at his mention as she snorted. "I mean he's also way out of your league, but it's not like he has anyone else. I'm curious, tell me; if you ask would he jump? Bring sticks? Maybe you can stretch the pity card longer with him-"
"Stop."
"Alright," she grinned at me one last time, straightening her back. "So we're good, then, right?"
But she had spun and marched away before I could even respond. Not like I felt capable of articulating a word.
I stared at my locker, a bitter feeling burning in the pit of my stomach as I went over what she said, what she'd implied... Had Brett really just felt sorry for me? Had Connor? Was that what people think when they saw us together? Was I a charity case?
No, she is just jealous, always trying to get more attention from Brett than what he gave her and she blames me for it. Jade was lying to make me feel unsure.
Or was she?
Still with the varsity jersey in my arms, I closed the locker's door and pressed my back against it, sliding down without meaning to until I was sitting at the bottom of it. My mind was so rushed I barely was aware of my surroundings or the odd looks I was getting from the few remaining students. But even through it all I noticed and it only ragged my heart all the more.
I bent my knees, pressing my elbows on them and creating a screen between me and the rest of the world with the jacket as I brought it over my head, envolving me in darkness. It was big enough to cover me enough for me to pretend the rest of the world wasn't there.
I needed some peace, a moment for myself and to breathe; clear my head of all the bitter thoughts. I needed a break from it all.
Why me? Why wouldn't Jade let it go? I wasn't even interested in Brett anymore, I barely talked to him. Why couldn't she let it go? Her threats, her words, Brett's weird attitude, the stupid hurtful non-stopping notes...
I close my eyes and took a deep breath, but it didn't exactly ease the growing frustration in me. Still, I took another and another and so on until the air trapped between me and the jumper grew warm with carbon dioxid.
Why?
When was this stopping?
How could I-
I felt the heavy cloth being tugged from my head and I gaped up to whoever it was that disturbing my little moment of failed meditation. What I wasn't expecting was the pair of dark eyes staring back at me, a curious hint behind the usual coldness there.
My heart fluttered, excited by his presence and for a moment forgetting I was in fact avoiding him as well and butterflies erupted in my stomach.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing." I tried to snatch the jacket back to cover myself, not ready at all to face the world yet. And much less him, but Connor wouldn't have it and it tugged it further down so it slided onto the tops of my knees and I had no choice but to acknowledge his presence.
He was still keeping his distance, but he was a lot closer than I would have expected and there was an angry twitch in my guts as our last encounter rushed to me. I hadn't even dared to think about that kiss. My heart fluttered just at the memory and my face heated as I looked away.
In the span of forty-eight hours, I'd been doing my best to pretend nothing had happened. I didn't know why I've kissed Connor or what even led me to believe in that moment that it was a good idea, because it certainly wasn't. It probably was the worst idea, to be honest it hadn't lasted long; but I'd definitely like it and I didn't know how to go back from that. Now I couldn't shake out of my head the feeling of his lips on mine.
My first kiss.
And it was with cold-hearted, rude, insensitive Connor.
Connor.
Why did I have to go and do that? And how was I going to play it cool now? There was no freaking way to get through this.
"So?" he pressed, crouching before me, completely unaware of my inner turmoil and making me all flustered with his mere presence.
"I've told you, nothing is going on."
He scoffed, amusement glittering in his eyes. "So you're just in the middle of the hallway for fun?"
"Yes."
"Bullshit. I was literally ten lockers down. I saw Jade."
Had he heard her too?
"So?" I sighed, tugging on the jacket we were both holding and this time he let it slip through his fingers. I took advantage tucking it to my chin, a crushing feeling of vulnerability roaming in my chest. "She was having one go at me. Shock."
"So what?"
I peaked at him through my lashes. "What what?"
"What are you gonna do?" he huffed in annoyance. "Sulk? Cry? Feel sorry for yourself?" I gaped at his snap, my traitorous eyes moisturing at his sharp tone. "That's what you do, right?"
"Connor-"
"What are you gonna do, Alyson?" he insisted instead, merciless and my chest ached all the more. There was something more than hurtful with him was voicing my own insecurities and shames. But also, there was something specially hurtful that it was him saying it. And that I knew exactly what he wanted from me.
"I can't fight back-"
"So you're just gonna let them walk over you?" I expected anger, frustration, but his voice was flat as ever, completely detached as if he didn't care at all. And it only added to the weight he set on my lungs. His head tilted. "Over and over. Push you around?"
"Connor." I cried, hiding under the jacket again before he would be able to see the tear that finally spilled. I'm pathetic.
Jade knew it, Connor knew it... did he think of me as a charity case too?
He made a sound of exasperation, tugging at the jacket again, obviously in an effort to push my buttons even more. Still not ready to look at him I rested my head against the locker behind me, glaring the ceiling instead and noticing how the few students left were already making their way down the hall and towards a place to lunch. Great, now it was just Connor and me.
"You're avoiding me." he deadpanned and my heart picked up.
So he's noticed.
But he said it so calmly I ended up wondering if he was actually mad or just didn't care.
Did he? I couldn't tell. And this was Connor, he wasn't one to openly show his true emotions, so reading him was out the table before I even dared to try.
"Am I?" I shrank into the locker behind me, not daring to look up at his stormy eyes as my mind went over and over our short kiss and beating me over how I should have known better.
I didn't want things to change, but someone as emotionally detached as him won't take my display of emotion too well.
It's not that I avoided him, I just didn't go to the church's ruins to skate like we'd done the past weekends nor text him at all; and since I was always the one going out my way for him, we just hadn't seen each other.
Because he didn't seek for me either.
That alone should be articulate enough and I got the message.
I lifted one unstable shoulder. "I didn't think you would want me around anymore."
"Why? Because you kiss me?"
I blushed harder, uneased that it was brought up like that. "Uh, yeah." I lifted the jacket back over my head, but he tugged it down once more and I frowned, yet quicker than I could think he whipped his hand and snatched it out my hands altogether. I hugged my knees to my chest instead and huffed, still unable to look at him. "What do you want?"
"You need to stop hiding."
"I can't anymore. You took the jacket away."
Connor sighed heavily, moving from his crouched position to sit in front of me. Yet, what took me completely aback was how he rather than cross his legs, he spread them out in a V so that I was sitting in the gap, knees bent slightly with his arms resting on top of them. The distance like this reduced all the more, leaving his face a mere foot from my own and my cheeks burned at this close proximity.
Last time we were this close I grew reckless enough to kiss him.
My eyes darted around on their own accord, taking in the way the hoodie tightened around his broad shoulders and the fell loosely around his body. Today he was wearing tight dark jeans and wear away snickers. I noticed too his black nails and the rings on his fingers, making me aware that I never returned the one he let me borrow and that I was actually wearing now. Which made me fiddled with it, making it twirled around my thumb.
His attention shifted there as well for a hot second before staring intently back at me. "So what happened?"
I looked away again at his deep tone, self-consciously. "Nothing. Jade came in and mess a little with me, that's all. She said some things and left."
"And you can't tell her off because..." Connor left it hanging, waiting for me to finish the sentence for him.
My fingers dug painfully in my arms. "You know why. It would make things worse."
"Worse? What, would she had you sulking by yourself in the middle of a hallway?"
"Connor."
"You know what? I'm really sick of having to pick the slack."
So I was a charity case, after all.
And I still went and kissed him.
My breaths ragged, hurt and annoyed he had to go and point it out.
"I've never asked you to. If I'm so much of a burden I'll stay clear of your path." I was going to either way after the stupid move last weekend. But his words angered me in a level I hadn't expected and something pinched my chest. "And still, pick the slack? You hit Noel, alright. And you did tell Jade off that one time; b-but you're not picking any slack. I'm the only one struggling here. With them, with this and with -with your ten personalities!"
"My what?" he asked, back to being amused.
I hugged my legs even closer; wishing for the earth to open, swallowed me and hopefully won't let me go anytime soon. "You're so moody. One moment you're cold, then playful, and then snapped at me over nothing. I'm always tiptoeing around you."
He hummed, letting go of the jacket and it fell at his side, but we were so close I didn't dare to move grabbed it again, knowing the lightest movement would have our legs brushing in this tiny space he'd created. And still I didn't want him to pull away. I was that messed up.
My heart skirted some more when he smirked a little. "I think you're doing well so far."
"You're not funny." I casted my gaze down.
"I'm not joking either."
Right... I pursed my brows. "Why are you even here? I mean apart from messing with me, of course. You're locker is nowhere near here."
"You're avoiding me." repeated Connor, as if that was explanation enough.
"Yes, and you're seeking me. That literally never happens."
His brows pinched, hinting a baffling surprise behind it all. "That's not true."
Not true? I scoffed. "I am usually the one picking slacks and making us work. If it was for you, we wouldn't even talk. You won't even talk much not unless I pry and still make it look like I'm bothering you." Except for now, I realized. Today he was feeling quite talkative. And so was I. I actually didn't know why I was letting this all out, but guessed the frustration finally got the best of me, and all in, if our friendship was doomed I might as well come clean. Except for that night when we had a few cute moments and the morning when I took it to far, it was like I say: he allowed me around, but didn't seem exactly fond of the idea of me getting to know him. "I'm not saying we aren't friends. It's just that this, us, it's so one-sided."
"But you kissed me." he deadpanned me once more and my cheeks burned.
"Yes." I hid my face against my legs, feeling my pulse racing everywhere and he was too close for me to think properly. "I'm sorry, okay? I get it."
There was a thick moment of silence, but apparently Connor was having it to press as far as he could. "What do you get?"
'Way out of your league.'
"Let's just forget it ever happen. I get that you feel uncomfortable and I'm sorry." it was now that I realized Brett had said something quite similar to me this morning.
This kind of feeling really complicated friendships. It complicated mine with Brett a few years ago, and it was already making this weird with Connor now.
Apparently I wasn't able to have a best friend without developing a crush.
"I don't want things to be weird now, so let's just... just forget it, yes? If that's what you want I'm fine with that. Or..." I swallowed painfully when he remained silent. "Or if you don't want anything to do with me anymore." I was his pitiful charity case after all. "I'll get it if that is what you want."
"What I want?" he repeated and I shrugged, dreading the topic already, but at least I couldn't get more humiliated then this. "You really think this is what I want?" he let out a long breath and I pursed my lips feeling my chest both tightening and easing incomprehensibly.
"Aren't you upset?
"Do I look upset?"
"No..." I picked at the straps hanging from my jeans knee holes. "But you never really speak your emotions. You could be, for all I know."
"Alyson, why would I be here if I wanted nothing to do with you anymore?"
Well... That actually makes sense.
I sneaked a peak over my knees, something missing finally seemed to click together. Connor came here, to talk to me. And for all the reasons above that was baffling enough.
But still, the other day I completely went out my way and kissed him. And he wasn't backing down? The butterflies in my stomach morphed into fire-breathing dragons as I contemplated the possibilities of that option, eying him carefully.
Connor's head tilted. "Do you really want to forget about it?"
No. "I-I'm not..." No! "Do you?"
"No."
I breathed easy at his easy answer. As if there wasn't even an ounce hesitation. "Me neither." I felt myself smiling. "I don't know what this means, tho."
He huffed, pulling himself up. "Why do you always complicate things?" and he held his hands for me to take. I frowned and took his hand so he helped me lifting from the ground as well.
"Why do you have to be so ambiguous?" I huffed back, but more amused than frustrated now that part of the immediate anxiety had dissipated. Still, I blushed, completely aware of the cold locker brushing my back and the thousands of chills like fire under my skin from our still joined hands. "Why did we stand?"
He shrugged, but just looked back at me and I giggled nervously at the smoldering intensity in his dark, deep eyes.
Well, all in all, I should just get it all out of my chest and let it be whatever it'll be.
"So..." I cleared my throat, letting my eyes wander through the deserted hallway before settling back on him with somehow new found courage. There is nothing left for me to lose here, and fight my shyness away. "I made my move." which was just another way of saying 'I kissed you', but without me completely flustering and getting so self-conscious. Yet it comes out as a breathless whisper, my heart beating a thousand times per second. "I'm pretty sure you already know by now, b-but I do like you."
He hummed, tilting his head and my breath hitched with the move that brought his face an inch closer. "Can you say that without stuttering?"
Could I? I felt my pulse picking up as I gulped. "I... like you."
His mouth twitched pulling with it at the tip of my stomach. "Aren't you cute?" but despites the little smirk and smoldering feeling in his eyes, it wasn't really reassuring. Instead, I could feel my heart shrinking.
"Connor." I blushed harder bringing my hands up to cover my heating cheeks, but he took my wrists softly prying them away and I huffed, chills spreading from his warm palms against my skin, making me buzz as disappointment swirled in my guts. "T-that it? Aren't you gonna... say it back? Say something?"
Of course not.
In my opinion, we'd definitely had something going on, but maybe Connor didn't like me like that after all. Maybe he just liked our friendship as it was and was willing to pull my slip behind us for its sake?
It would make sense, but it was also heartbreaking because I quite literally just confessed.
And at that he said it was cute. Really what a girl wanted to hear after such a daring step. Way to blow my already precarious confidence.
"N-never mind." I gulped, convincing myself the embarrassment and sense of humiliation wasn't stronger than the relief of letting it out. He deserved to know -in case he didn't already with my unrequired kiss. Connor just didn't see me that. "I get it."
His amusement faltered for a second, even in that small gap for emotion that he allowed lately when it was just us there were a tone of different shades and right now he looked torn. "You don't."
"It's fine." I forced out, determined to put it pass us and stop this humiliation. "I get that you don't-"
"Alyson." he looked down to our hands and I melted as his thumb grazed the black ring I still hadn't returned. Shards of electricity flew under my skin and I could have sworn the air had gone thicker around us, heavier. "I'm not good with words" Connor keep talking slowly, huskily, as if he was struggling with each syllable and tasting its sound carefully. "And I don't feel comfortable speaking about feelings."
There was no doubt in me that what he was saying was true for the twitching in his muscles. And I knew him. In this past months I got him from scowls and cold stares to slowly open up. Besides Norah, Trevor and -lately- myself, Connor mostly kept it all to himself. So it made sense that he now looked like it pained him simply chosing words.
"What does that mean?" I whispered, drowning in this powerful environment as he gave an unimpressed look, like pressing me to fill the voids he seemed unable to speak. Connor wasn't upset about the kiss, he was bad expressing his feelings, I just confessed... My chest tightened. "So you like me?" it came out so low I first wasn't even sure if he had heard it and his dark eyes seemed to soften.
He likes me.
Connor Mendley... likes me.
My head spun, every inch of me growing aware of his presence before me; of his hand still wrapped around both my wrists between us, softly yet unyielding... of the cold surface of the locker pressing against my back as he'd somehow stepped forward making me move backwards with him and like that he stood making the rest of the world fade around us.
I shivered when his other hand casually twirled on of my dark strands of hair, letting his knuckles grazed my collarbone and immediately after allowing his fingertips to ghost over that same sensitive skin.
I was most definitely confused now. Buzzing, allured, baffled. His shocked expression when I kissed him in my porch hovered behind my eyes even through the thick tension building around us like mist.
I'd never felt like this.
With anyone.
Like I could literally melt if his hand moved further against my skin... which it did.
"But when I kissed you-"
"You took me by surprise." I felt my skin tingling under his touch as he grazed my cheek. "You do that a lot." His hand spread slowly around the base of my neck, his fingers curling on my nape as his thumb pressed lightly over my collarbone, igniting fireworks as his breaths collide with my lips hotly. I could feel the world spinning and I grabbed on his forearm when he let go and bent his arm to press it right beside my head, my back pressing the cold locker. "I demand a retake."
The bubbles in my chest became almost painful in anticipation, almost making me laugh at his words if I wasn't this complete mess. But I was just standing a couple inches away from him, I wasn't really able to say anything, not a sound leaving me for the longest time as I took in his words and my eyes feel to his lips.
So close...
A retake?
I tried looking back up at his smoldering yet neutral expression -everything expressed through his eyes, but his mouth seemed to have my full attention, and my stomach twitched.
"Well," my heart fluttered and I felt his pulse maddening against my fingers around his wrist. "You've never struck me as one to ask before doing something."
Connor piercing stare remained intense for a couple seconds, and unreadable look on his face. And then there was a twitch in his jaw and he said: "True", right before closing the distance between us and pressing his lips against mine before I could even understand what just happened.
********************
QUESTION: Any idea for next chapter?
I'm sorry for the long wait, I was ending my other story ONCE UPON A BET and dealing with exams. I'll try to start updating regularly this story again. Thanks a lot for being so patient and let me know what are your thoughts on Brett, Jade and especially Connor and Alyson.
Don't forget to comment, vote and share.