Crescent Temptation

Chapter 4

The truth was that I didn't know. I loved Drew in silence for years. Hoping that someday he would realize that he wasn't just a friend to me. But I always resisted the temptation to tell him. I always kept my feelings inside me as I knew that he didn't feel the same. And now there was John, who kept intruding on my thoughts. Thoughts that I wanted to ignore. I didn't know exactly what I felt for him. Was it just attraction? Because even if I hated to admit it, I was very attracted to him. More than I have ever been to anyone in my life.

"No," I replied. "I don't think so."

"Are you sure?" Drew asked in a strange tone. The problem with Drew is that he knew me well and he realized when I didn't say the truth.

"Listen, I don't know. There was someone who I wanted to be with. But I know he doesn't love me."

"How could you know? Did you ask him?"

"No, and I prefer not to." I cut it short. "And you? Is there someone you like?"

"There is a girl at the gym. I know she likes me and all she's waiting for is for me to ask her out."

My heart ached, and suddenly a veil of sadness fell over me.

"Oh.. and what are you waiting for?" I said, hoping my voice didn't betray me. I didn't want him to realize that he was breaking my heart. I had no right to feel like this. I should be happy for him.

He didn't reply. He took the cup of tea from my hands. "And then there is Brittany." He continued after the long pause. He hadn't answered my question. At the mention of Brittany, I almost choked. Brittany, the cheerleader. She was the slut of college. How could Drew be interested in her?

"Brittany? Are you crazy?"

"I know. But she's hot."

Of course. And I wasn't. She wore skimpy skirts and low-cut tops. She was the dream of every guy. She had long blonde hair, deep penetrating blue eyes, and the body of a model.

"Then go for it if she's what you want. But you're making a mistake. Brittany is not good for you. She'll betray you. You know how many boys she slept with?"

"Yes, I know. But who cares? It's not as if I'm marrying her or anything. When I choose the girl to marry, it will be someone like you."

"Like me?"

"Ally, you're the only one that understands me. You're a good girl and even if you don't believe it, one day you'll make a man very happy. Brittany is a forbidden dream. You know someone to have once in your life and that's all."

I was feeling nauseous. I couldn't even drink the tea.

"Maybe I shouldn't talk about these things with you. I know you don't like her."

No, I didn't like her. Actually, I hated her. I had realized that she was interested in Drew. She flirted with him every time she saw him. But that he liked her too was news for me. He never said anything about her.

"Drew, you don't need my permission to go out with girls. I'm your friend, not your girlfriend." Then why the hell did it hurt so much imagining Drew sharing the bed with someone else? Tears formed in my eyes. I quickly returned to the kitchen. I didn't want him to see me cry.

"Ally?"

"I'm coming," I told him as I wiped hurriedly my tears and tried to compose myself. "You should go," I told him when I got back to the living room. "It's getting late."

"I'll stay with you today."

I shook my head. "You can't lose lessons because of me. I'm fine, as you see." Drew seemed reluctant to leave me.

"Are you sure? Ally, I can stay."

I wanted him to stay. I wanted his comfort because I was feeling very down. What would I have left if Drew had to leave me? Why couldn't it be me, the girl he'll fall in love with? Everything would be just perfect, the two of us together forever. Maybe I should just give him the potion. 

What an absurd idea! I didn't think the potion worked, yet I didn't throw it away. Perhaps deep down I hoped it did. But would it be right to make someone love me if he didn't?

"Yes, I'm sure. I'll see you later, Drew."

Drew left, and I tried to keep myself busy. I cleaned and arranged the drawers. The doctor told me not to overdo it and try to rest as much as possible. But I was feeling fine. After I finished, I started to study. Drew came immediately after school. He brought me the assignments and notes the professors had prepared for me and also had some news.

"You know what. We're having a ball in two weeks."

"Oh."

"You don't seem too enthusiastic."

"I hate parties, you know that. Everyone comes with a partner or boyfriend. Everybody dances and wears beautiful dresses and I don't do any of those things. I won't come."

"You'll have a partner, you'll have me."

"Oh, no. You'll go with Brittany or with the other girl at the gym."

He rolled his eyes. "I made a mistake telling you about them."

"No, you didn't." I countered. "Thank you, Drew, but it's just not for me."

"Oh, come on Ally. We'll have fun. Tell me you'll come."

"No. I don't have money to waste on dresses right now. I'm getting desperate, it's really hard to find a job that pays well. I've been looking on the internet for a job all day but I found nothing good for me. "

Drew put his hand on my shoulder and then hugged me. I closed my eyes and let myself go into his embrace.

"Don't worry about the dress. It will be a present from me. Just promise that you'll come." He caressed my back. His touch was gentle. I could feel his solid body against mine, heat radiated from his body making my breath catch in my throat. Drew and I had hugged many times, but I never felt like this. His hair brushed against my face. I inhaled his smell and desire sang in my veins. What the hell was wrong with me? I realized myself from his embrace, abruptly. Drew looked at me, surprised.

"I'll buy the dress myself. But thanks, I appreciate it."

Drew got up on his feet. He shoved his hand in the pocket of his jacket and took out his wallet. He pulled out some banknotes and put them on the table.

"I won't accept a no." He said.

"But."

"Just a thank you will do and perhaps a kiss on my cheek!" He said with a smile.

I hesitated for a moment. Drew had never asked for a kiss before. I exhaled and then without thinking about it further I got on tiptoes and as I was going to give him a peck, he unexpectedly turned his face and the kiss ended on his lips. It happened quickly. An innocent kiss. There was nothing passionate about it, but it shocked me. Had Drew done it on purpose? I stepped back. My face was flushed, and I looked at him, startled.

He didn't seem so baffled about what had just happened, probably for him, it had meant nothing. He simply smiled at me and then continued to talk casually. I wasn't listening to a thing he was saying. My lips trembled. It hadn't been like the kiss John had given me, but it still had a devastating effect on me. Drew had to leave soon. He was working, and I was grateful to be alone. I closed the door behind him, and then I looked at the assignments Drew had brought. I tried my best to focus, but I couldn't. I kept imagining the moment my lips touched his. I sighed as I tried to shift away from the memory of that kiss. I had kissed my best friend. A chaste kiss, but still a kiss. Why did Drew behave as if nothing had happened? Perhaps I was making a fuss for nothing. Maybe it had been accidental. I tried to drag my attention back to the book I held in my hands and to stop obsessing about Drew. But it was easier said than done. I had been kissed twice this week, and it happened with the two guys that I never thought would kiss me.