1.1 | daunting medleys

thirty-five | his intent

Tabitha was annoyed.

Her arms were currently wound tightly around Oliver's torso, and he was speeding down the road to her house. Her, Oliver and Axel had decided to meet in a cafe tomorrow with the owner of the venue as it would be Sunday and they had nothing more important to do than saving the orphanage, but the reason for her annoyance was the fact that her house was so close by, and she couldn't enjoy how much she reveled in his body warmth.

His helmet was on her head, and the residue of his fingers lingered on her chin. Tabitha's cheeks were been very hot, as the warmth from his fingers had passed onto her. Oliver was all smiles since they left his house, and his hands held hers as they walked out, earning a hoot from Axel and mischievous giggles from Wren. Tabitha hadn't been left out, she'd sported the hottest blush she could have ever had.

Oliver's motorcycle stopped by the house's gate, and got down to remove the helmet that sat on her head. He always did this, and Tabitha never complained, and besides, judging by the way her heart skipped multiple beats, it was perfectly fine. "I'll pick you up tomorrow, say 10 o'clock?"

Tabitha nodded, and waved before moving away from the motorcycle. "Bye Ollie."

When she was about to walk in, he held her upper arm and pulled her into a hug. Tabitha froze, and her hands were splayed against Oliver's chest as she was unaware of his intent. His hands curved around her waist and his nose skimmed the curve of her neck. The cold must have contributed, as she shivered and let his cologne curl around her. Tabitha let him hug her, and he did. Oliver held her for a long time, and all Tabitha could do was melt in his arms.

"Thank you. For everything. For being there for me." He whispered into the cold evening, and Tabitha blinked back the well of moisture in her eyes.

"I didn't do anything. Axel came up with the plan." Tabitha said. "He deserves this hug, and not me." She giggled.

Oliver pulled from her, and thumped her forehead with a smile. "I'm never hugging him again." He snorted. "But you, You were there when I had that horrible lunch with my dad, and I can't thank you enough for that. It means the world to me Tabitha." She stared up at him, her mouth falling open. Tabitha didn't miss the way his eyes darted to her lips before looking back into her eyes. She committed that look in her mind, how his greys darkened, and how his face had softened. Tabitha knew that it wasn't affection, she was soiled and he was heavenly. It would never happen.

She raised her hands, ignoring how they shook, and patted Oliver's cheek. His cheeks were red, and he kept looking away from her. "It's no problem. It's what friends do for each other." Tabitha ignored the pinch of discomfort in her heart when she called him her friend. I love you. She could only whisper in her head. Coward. He smiled, and she instantly knew it was fake. Under the dim lighting of the quickly setting sun, she could see that his eyes were dull.

"See you tomorrow." Oliver smiled, and her heart stuttered. Then he got on his motorcycle and started to move out.

Tabitha called after him. "Wait! Will you ever tell me what that song is about?"

Oliver stopped, then smiled sweetly. "No. Pierce will be playing it soon, and you'll see. It's a song very close to my heart." He whispered under his breath, and she couldn't catch it but Tabitha's cheeks couldn't help but burn under his scorching gaze.

Tabitha sighed, fiddling with the tassels on her bag. "Call me when you get home. And say hi to Wren and Emily for me." He gave her a two finger salute and rode off, leaving her with smiles and a very hot flush on her cheeks.

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Tabitha watched the last of the cheese melt into the pot that held macaroni and the four blends of cheese that she couldn't remember. The food was spooned into plates, and her grandmother placed a grilled chicken breast on the macaroni. Her plate was filled, and the smell of the breadcrumbs and parmesan on the macaroni made her mouth water. The table was set, and everyone had sat down, just Tabitha and her grandmother left. They quickly took their seats, and everyone began eating, after sharing the grace.

Dinner was quiet, as usual. The poison of unfamiliarity was thick in the air, and the noise of the cutlery was barely loud enough to breakthrough. The food tasted good, and she couldn't help but eat faster, since she hadn't eaten all day. What was particularly surprising, was the presence of her mother, who sat beside her father. They shared awkward glances, and Tabitha couldn't help but think that they would have made a beautiful couple, perhaps in the next life.

"Your father told me that you came home a little after 6. And you didn't take your car, so where were you?" Her mother asked, when they had almost finished eating. Tabitha froze, and picked at the decorative lime on the key lime pie they'd been eating. "Were you at that orphanage of yours? I heard they got robbed. Now you can focus on your studies, right Tabitha?"

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sorry it's short. promised Her_Royal_Cuteness an update. this chapter has to be one of my favorite for many reasons. but y'all wait, tee-hee.