Work in Progress

Chapter 56: Hallways

*ELI'S POV*

Yesterday couldn't have gone any better. The woman I love loves me back and is now my girlfriend, her family supports us, and they've invited me and Aunt Tessa for dinner on Friday. I mean, that's a big deal right? I know they've met each other already but this time is more formal. Not like the meeting they had at the hospital, which I don't want to imagine. Aunt Tessa is still grilling me about how I made her meet her future-in-laws in such an unpleasant way.

"Hey, you ok?"

"Huh?" I'm shaken out of my thoughts as I feel the hand I'm holding gently squeeze mine. I look up at Sam and see that we've already arrived in school. She insisted on picking me up and not letting me go on my bike until... well until forever I guess. "I'm fine. Just thinking about stuff."

Sam looks at me worriedly. "Are you worried about what people are saying? I'm still Samantha Anderson you know. One look and I'll have them running with their tails between their legs." She huffs the last part.

I laugh at this. "No, I'm not worried about what people are saying about me. I couldn't care less. And no offense babe, but I think they've noticed how much of a softie you actually are." Shit. I should not have said that.

I brace myself for the death glare I'm about to receive but instead get surprised by Sam blushing. "Umm... babe? Why are you blushing?" She blushes even more and I begin to realize why. "Are you that mad at me that you're turning red... Babe?" I smirk.

"Shut up. Let's go, we're going to be late." I chuckle as she exits the car and starts walking towards the building. I follow behind her and shout, "Babe, wait for me!" earning a few stares and snickers from people.

***

Classes went by fast. Or maybe because I wasn't paying any attention. I was too busy staring at Sam or playing with her hands whenever she'd tell me to stop staring at her. I could hear people whispering about us along with whatever new theory they had about the incident. But I just shrugged it off. I hope that Sam isn't that bothered about it either. I should ask her later.

Lunch time rolled around and we're sitting inside the cafeteria with Jane and Kate. Some people would approach us and start asking questions about the incident but I just wave them off with a joke. But there's only really so much snooping I can take and come up with a joke for. I didn't even notice my leg bouncing until Sam put her hand on my knee to calm me down.

I look at her apologetically. "Are they bothering you? Just say the word and I'll stop joking around with them."

"I'm fine. I'm more worried about you." Sam smiles at me softly and immediately all my worries melt away.

"I don't really like random people approaching me and asking personal questions. But I guess that's the price of looking way too hot. I can't hold that against them."

Kate snorts at this while Jane does a gagging sound. Sam just narrows her eyes at me while trying to hide a smile. "If that's the reason why they're coming up to you then I better show them why they shouldn't."

I raise an eyebrow and smirk. "Oh? And how are you going to do that?"

Sam slowly leans in and bites her bottom lip. Thoughts of me biting it instead amongst other things pop up in my mind. I quickly push them away knowing that that show is for our own eyes only. Speaking of eyes, I'm staring into the most alluring forest green eyes I've ever seen and they're coming at me at the most painfully slowest pace. Not being able to take it anymore, I close the distance and place a hand each on Sam's neck and waist, pulling her as close to me as possible. Time fast forwarded and then slowed down again. It was as if we were in an endless loop of stars being born and collapsing in on itself as a black hole then being born again. It was a beautiful birth and rebirth.

If I had my way I would kiss Sam all the way to class, during class, on the way to our next class, during that as well, and-- well you get the picture. But alas, I can't always have my way so reluctantly I pull away. I rest my forehead on Sam's as we both look at each other and smile stupid.

Our moment is broken by Kate saying, "That was the hottest kiss I've ever seen and I've watched Portrait of a Lady on Fire." I laugh at this and kiss Sam's reddening cheek who then glares at Kate.

***

To say that I couldn't wait until classes were over is an understatement. I'm basically dragging Sam by her belt loop down the hallway so that we could get to her car already and I could kiss her senseless. And we were so close to the exit until some rando blocked our way.

"Excuse me." I try to say as politely as I can but I know Sam can hear the impatience in my voice from the smirk on her face.

"Hello, Elizabeth." Elizawhatnow? I turn to face this random chick holding us up.

"Her name's just Eli." Sam corrects her before I could. Rando ignores her and just smiles at me.

"You're quite the celebrity, Eli. Best be careful. If the attention ever gets too much, I'll be happy to share it with you." She flicks her hair over her shoulder, winks at me, then walks away.

I look at Sam confused. "Was that a threat or a helping hand?"

She scoffs at me. "I'm pretty sure she wants to give you more than just a helping hand."

Sensing my girlfriend's bad mood I quickly pull her into a hug and peck her lips. "Now why would I need a helping hand when I perfectly have these..." I hold her hands in mine. "And these..." I trace my fingers up her arms. "And these--" I hold her face and place a kiss on her lips. "--perfectly--" kiss "--delicious--" kiss "--lips" kiss.

I hear her groan into the kiss and I can't help myself but revel at the fact that I was the reason for that. I pull away and look at her with a glint in my eyes. "Come on. There's a lot more where that came from." I take her hand and pull her with me basically half running to her car.

A/N: Things are heating up (in more ways than one). Has anyone watched Portrait of a Lady on Fire? Here's the kiss Kate was thinking about