Citrus [completed]

Chapter 12

Blair pounded on Eden's door, excited about our group game night. She looked close to bouncing on her toes as she waited for Eden to open the door. It was a common occurrence for Eden to throw game night. The only difference tonight was Vanessa was tagging along for the first time. The door opens with a flourish and without ceremony, Eden waves us into his house.

Blair flies in and I follow behind at a slower pace. Glory had beaten us here and waved from her spot in her chair in front of the coffee table. Eden collapses onto the floor with a huff instead of one of the few chairs. Eden's place was more man cave than it was a house. There was a large TV off to the side with multiple gaming systems hooked up. There was an old couch that looked like it came from a junkyard, Eden called it garbage chic. I called it garbage, considering one of the legs had been broken for years and he had yet to get rid of it. A large blanket rests on the end of the couch. There were already food wrappers discarded on the coffee table by Eden.

Vanessa slowed down as she looked around, taking it all in. I sit down, probably ungracefully onto Eden's couch, shoving an old coffee can from the cushion. Blair rounds the corner with shot glasses in her hand, ready to start the night. It's not long before Eden and Blair argue who gets what shot glass, and I wait for broken glass.

Vanessa stands off the side, awkwardly trying to decide where to sit on her first trip to Eden's. The rest of have preferred seats. I watch as she fidgets where she stands before a smile steals across my face. Vanessa takes a second to notice me motioning her over before she stands in front of me as I look up at her. She curiously looks at me as I smile up at her and pat the leather seat next to me. Her eyes dart from where my hand pats the cushion to my eyes.

The couch was average-sized, nothing too big but with the cover on the other end it completely took up two cushions, therefore leaving two seats left on the couch. The logical step would be to move the cover, but Vanessa wouldn't want to impose on Eden. Eden would move the cover without hesitation, but it wasn't occurring to him as he argues with Blair. I would not move the covers because I saw an opportunity to annoy Vanessa.

Vanessa bites her lip, hesitation sliding over her face. It was that seat or the floor. I couldn't help but smirk as I leaned further back into my seat.

"What?" I ask, tilting my head, "Are you scared of bumping elbows?" My tone is innocent, but I let my eyes declare my challenge. Either she ditches her "good hospitality" and asks Eden to get rid of the covers or she sucks it up. Part of me wants to see how far I can push Vanessa. I know she loves a good challenge.

Her eyes flared. They say that they won't back down.

"I'm not scared of anything, Jamie," With that and a toss of her hair, she lowers herself onto the small cushion next to me, angling her body towards me to fit in the small space.

I quickly forget the small victorious feeling that runs through my chest when I notice just how small the seat was. Vanessa's side is plastered to mine. Our legs were touching from knee to hips, the slight lean in the couch causing Vanessa to slide into me. Her bare arm rested against my shoulder.

I couldn't help but stare at her. Where her glasses rested on the slope of her nose, the bare flash of dark brown freckles that graced just under her eyes, the strong set of her eyebrows, the way her hair curled around her shoulders, and the way her lips sat curved slightly up. If the feeling of Vanessa wasn't enough, the smell of her shampoo drifting up into my nose would be. The scent of it is pure Vanessa, it's a soft scent but noticeable.

As if she can feel me looking, her head turns, and her mutinous eyes capture mine. Both of our eyes widen, surprised by how close our faces are. Vanessa's breath tickles my cheeks. My heart beats out of my chest as I try to swallow, my throat suddenly dry and my palms clammy. I distantly realize that this was a terrible idea while being a terrific idea.