Shy

Kit

I look high and low for her everywhere. It's not like she's hiding, and it's not like I don't have an excellent height advantage, so I'm understandably frustrated. Michael's friends keep pestering me to do shots, to have another beer and I oblige them to a certain extent. I have to, it's my birthday they've come to celebrate.

I politely decline as soon as I start to feel slightly wobbly, determined to find Clara.

I've checked the downstairs, I've checked every room upstairs. I peek out the front door and decide the only place she can be is in the back garden. I manoeuvre my way through the crowded living room and slip through the kitchen towards the garden.

I see her almost immediately, her lovely yellow cardigan not nearly enough to keep the cold from her. I then notice Jared, leering at her from the other side of our bench, his hand caressing her leg. I overhear him calling her gorgeous and scowl, knowing that he's right but hating the fact that he's saying it like that.

My heart aches at the sight and I feel furious at him for daring to even speak to my soulmate. I push open the door, determined to stay somewhat calm.

"Come on, babe, I know you want me." Jared says cockily, leaning forwards.

"No, I don't." Clara says urgently, leaning away from him. I spring forwards just as he does and push his shoulder back. I grab his costume and pull him up, my eyes only seeing red at this point.

"She said no, Jared." I utter coldly, trying to keep a grasp of my self control. Jared swipes off his mask and recognises me, probably realising that his place on the football team may hang in the balance if I tell his coach about this.

"Whatever, man. Look at her, she wouldn't have been any..." He scoffs and I cut him off before he can say or do anything more offensive.

"Get out, now." I mutter and Jared rolls his eyes but slopes back inside anyway. I watch him go, my attention now turning to Clara. My beautiful, terrified looking Clara. This is the closest I have ever been to her and it's fair to say I am freaking out.

I exhale shakily, wanting the ground to swallow me whole. I desperately want to run away, to get as far away as possible but I can't leave her, not now. She looks so frightened and confused.

"Are you okay?" I ask tentatively, needing to know if she's alright.

She looks at me properly and a small smile fleetingly crosses her face. Probably the irony of our costumes.

She nods vacantly and I realise that she probably doesn't know who I am. I relax a little at the fact. She raises the cup in her hands to her lips and I quickly cover the top with my palm, her lips just moments away from touching me.

I swallow harshly, trying to think of something else.

"I wouldn't drink anything he gave you." I warn, gently prising the cup from her hands and disposing of the liquid. Jared doesn't always play fair and the thought that he might...I shake my head.

I return to her side, unsure of what to do now. She shivers lightly on the bench and I automatically remove my jacket, moving forwards to slowly lay it over her shoulders. My hands shake as I do so and I quickly retract them as soon as I can, scrunching them into fists as I breath uneasily.

I take a tentative seat next to her, fidgeting with my fingers anxiously.

"Thank you, for helping me out I mean." She says quietly and I look at her through my tinted glasses, still too much of a coward to remove them.

"Anytime." I reply shortly and easily, knowing I'd do it again and again in a heartbeat. We sit in silence for a moment and I smile to myself.

Not really the way I pictured speaking to my soulmate for the first time, but speaking to her is a joy nonetheless. I don't want her evening to be spoiled by Jared and his wandering hands, and I don't know if its the liquid courage or the slick 50's costume, but I feel bold.

"He was right, you know." I utter suddenly, glancing at her quickly. She looks offended and I immediately clarify my statement.

"You do look gorgeous this evening." I state, standing up and brushing off my jeans. She blushes and I hesitate a moment before holding out my hand for her. Gorgeous is an understatement but I can't think of that right now because if she takes my hand, this will be our first touch.

She lifts her hand and delicately places it in mine.

Sparks flit through my hand and my stomach flips as I gently curl my fingers around hers and help her up. I smile broadly, unable to contain the happiness coursing through my veins.

I could be happier, of course. She doesn't have a clue who I am and that fact makes me sad, but I try not to focus on that point too much, as her hand is firmly wrapped around mine for the first time of, hopefully, many.

My reverie is soon broken as I spot Saskia making a beeline towards us. I reluctantly release Clara's hand and she moves forwards towards my sister as I slink back into the crowd.

I watch her interact with my sister, turning to find that her companion is no longer there and looking vaguely puzzled. My leather jacket is still wrapped around her shoulders and Kia looks at it familiarly for a second. I hold my breath, hoping against hope that she doesn't say anything.

She shrugs and gestures to her drink before tugging Clara into the kitchen. I sigh and slump against the wall, knowing that the rest of my evening will be taking care of the two girls who love to make my life hell.