Alone

Chapter 10

We sat in silence for a few minutes. He angled his body towards and watched me; I didn't bother acknowledging him, it would be a waste of energy. The staring was unsubtle to say the least, it was unnerving and goosebumps arose on the back of my neck.

I sighed, "What?"

"Nothing. I'm just trying to figure you out." He said honestly. 

"Take your time then." I knew that arguing would get me nowhere with him. I slumped down in the seat and made myself comfortable enough to doze off.

At least that's what I tried to do.

There's no way I would be able to do that, I'm always flustered by the effect he has on me. But he didn't have to know that, I would pretend however long he wanted to stare. He would eventually get bored and start the car, and victory will be mine. It was a fool-proof plan which I was sure would work.

Several minutes passed since I had reclined my seat and settled down, my mind was in overdrive, though. He was a real fucking creep, how long did he actually plan to sit and stare? My question was answered when I heard rustling besides me. Finally, he decided to give up; I fought hard to keep the smug smile off my face.

But I was wrong.

I felt his hand cup my cheek while he caressed me gently, the warmth of his hand a stark contrast to my cold face and I unintentionally leaned into the warmth of his hand. His hand left my face; and I almost brought his hand back to my face, but he startled me when he tucked a lock of hair that lay on the side of my face, behind my ear.

His hand continued to leave a light trail from the side of my face to my jaw and then back up to my cheekbone. A shiver went down my spine from the feeling of his soft, feathery touch. His hand went back to cupping my face and his thumb continued to caress my cheekbone.

"Why do you hide behind those iron walls?" I tensed up. "They hide your beauty and make you weak." He sighed and retracted his hand. 

I struggled to breathe. What did he mean by that? I was so confused and didn't understand what he was referring to. I needed to know. I opened my eyes to find his face close to mine; he had shifted closer to me. Before, I was resting against the car door, but my body had unconsciously moved towards him. He was like a magnet that attracted me, full force.

I met his intense gaze and was taken aback at the emotions that swirled in them. His eyes landed on my lips for a split second before coming back to rest on my eyes.

I snapped out of the hypnotic daze and immediately pulled away. Pressing my body to the car door, I tried to create as much space as I could between us, but it wasn't enough and it was suffocating me. My heart was racing, and it was getting hard to breathe. I focused on trying to catch my breath; he gave the me space I needed. 

Once I eventually calmed down. He decided to break the silence.

"Eli, will you be my friend?" I couldn't do this. I wanted to go home. How was he so nonchalant?

"What?" I murmured, trying so hard not to lose it.

"Will you be my friend?" He asked quietly this time, like he was scared to face the inevitable rejection.

"Did you stall because you wanted to ask me that?"

"Uh-huh."

"Why?" 

"Because I was nervous." And the infuriating asshole was back.

"You're making it so hard for me not to punch you. Try to sound convincing if you want me to believe you. You didn't seem nervous when you were staring at me like a creep." I spat. He just shrugged in response.