(CURRENTLY EDITING!) Right Before My Eyes

Chapter 3

"So, how did you all meet?" I ask. The three of us were driving home from the mall with a pile of shopping bags.

"Well..." He seems reluctant to tell me. "Uh, okay, let's see... Tyler and I, we've known each other since we were babies because our parent's are close friends. In high school we met Auggie and then in college, Tyler and Auggie met Landon. When we finished school we all needed a place to stay and... get out of our parents' house's so we rented the place we're in now. A few months ago Landon met Reece at, um, work. Reece was... a new employee. He was looking for a place so we offered him a spare bedroom at our place. Now we're all really good friends."

I nod my head to show I was still listening. The way he kept pausing though, it seemed like he was making things up. I tell myself I'm just being paranoid. We were silent for a few moments after that and then Skyler spoke again.

"I know you've only been with us for a few days but you can be a part of that, y-you know, if you want." He stutters. "I know it's probably weird living with you as the only girl in the house, but it doesn't have to be like that. We won't bite. Right Tyler?" he joked.

"Well, I might but I promise it won't hurt much." Tyler adds. Skyler smirks in the drivers seat. I let out a laugh, then Skyler speaks again.

"Hey, there's a store close by here. Why don't we go get some drinks and bring them back to the house."

"I'm only 19." I admit.

"You don't have to drink. We don't often, anyway."

"How old are you?" I ask him.

"I'll be 21 in a couple weeks. Landon and Auggie are 21. Tyler is 19. Reece is 20." He replies.

"Oh..." I say. At least I'm not the only one in the house who can't drink. I wouldn't want to see Drunk Tyler anyway. I laugh to myself a little at the thought.

-

"GUYS, WE'RE BACK WITH DRINKS!" Skyler yells through the house the second we walk through the door. I didn't really care to get any, but Skyler insisted we go. I never even asked what all he bought. Everyone sits in the living room and begins pouring glasses. Skyler offers me a swallow of whatever he has but I refuse it. Someone turns music on. After a while it starts to feel a little crouded with all of them acting crazy. Skyler seems to notice this and pulls me to the other side of the room, asking if I'm okay. His voice is a bit slurred, but he isn't quite as drunk as the rest of the boys.

 "Yeah, just got a little claustrophobic for a m-" My sentence is cut short as I unexpectedly feel his hands grab me by the arms, and my back is suddenly leaning against the wall behind me. He leans in close to my face, the end of his nose touching mine. Once again, I feel that hot chill go through me at his touch. The feeling is like a mixture of electricity and fire hitting my skin at the same time, for just a moment, and this time I find it difficult to push down the silly feeling that I'm not imagining it. He, also, seems to look at me as if he feels it too, but that's a ridiculous idea. Completely startled, I stare at him. Then after what feels like minutes, I let his lips meet mine for the first time. How can someone's kiss be entirely sweet and urgent all at once?

 When he pulls away, he whispers, "I thought we'd never find you." I give him a very confused look and after a moment he seems to realize he's said something he wasn't supposed to. A look of anger toward himself comes across his face and I swear his eyes start to change color. You're crazy, I say to myself. You're just seeing things.

"What are you talking about?" I ask. He shakes his head and I try to forget about what he said, blaming the alcohol. Then he starts kissing me again, with more desire than sweetness this time.

Regretfully, I pull away. "Skyler, stop. You're not thinking straight... You're only kissing me because you're drunk."

This upsets him. "Am not." He says.

"I'm not going to take anything you say seriously until tomorrow." I tell him.

He backs away. "I thought you knew..."

"What?" I ask.

"Nevermind. I shouldn't have said that." He lets go of me and walks away, leaving me confused.

What did he mean? Knew what?