The City's Allure

Chapter four

Chapter Four:

The house was empty of course. Jer was still at Athena's and my aunt and uncle were lord knows where. Trying to ignore the strange feeling of emptiness creeping around the house, I turned on the light and walked towards my room.

I was exhausted as I changed my clothes and took off my makeup. I practically fell into bed as I inhaled a deep breath and submerged myself completely under my covers. I relished the feeling of the warmth and sunk deeper into the mattress, completely ready to fall asleep.

****

My eyes snapped open. My breath was coming in quickly and I struggled to catch it. A small ball of sweat trickled down my forehead and I sat up in bed. I was too preoccupied with trying to untangle the vague memories of my dream to notice that my window was creaked open. My eyes shot to the right as I caught sight of this occurrence. Everything eventually slowed down and the scene I found myself dawned upon me. Outside it was still dark, I checked my watch. 03:45 The devil's hour, Lovely.

I shuffled under the covers and quietly slipped out of bed. Approaching my window I took hold on the handle. It was one of those full size windows that took up a whole place in the wall, Like a second door and outside I had a tiny little balcony on which I stored all my plants. The wind was harsh and I could feel it pushing up against the glass, making minute bashing sounds. I twisted the handle and suddenly both doors flew open. The wind running through my hair and invading the rest of my room. My door, that had previously been a smidge open, was slammed shut violently and I was left alone with the raging night sky. I stepped out onto the balcony and looked around, too scared to care that anyone could see me.

My long t-shirt played along with the wind and the warmth of my legs welcomed the breeze. I turned my head to the left and almost screamed at what I saw. Upon further inspection it wasn't the actual thing that scared me, it was the sheer astonishment.

Rome.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I whisper-shouted.

Casually leaning on the wall, cigarette in hand stood Rome. The asshole didn't even look at me, he just frowned while glaring into the distance and took another long drag. Finally he set his attention onto me and blew out a puff of smoke. His dark eyes roamed over my body, shamelessly, stopping at my bare legs for an exceptionally long time. After an excruciating number of seconds, he took a step forward and looked down into my eyes. He had a sort of inquisitive look as if there were a million questions on the tip of his tongue.

" Rome, what in the seven hells are you doing here?"

He smirked. The little bitch SMIRKED at me.

"I like the reference." his voice rolled through the air

" That doesn't answer my question."

He looked up to the sky and sighed a deep breath. I found myself staring at him, mesmerised by his aura, by him. I was so thankful that it was dark, because when he looked back down on me, his beautiful eyes piercing into mine, I swear I turned bright red. I would have died inside twice before letting him see me like this. He took one step closer. The only thing between us was the wind. The warm, low, whistling wind.

"So Emilia, what are you doing out here?" He had the audacity to question me.

"Me. ME. What am I doing out here?" I whisper shouted again.

He just smiled again. I hated it; his self confidence and pride. I hate the way his face lit up and somehow looked even better. All of it was working me up, little by little.

"It's so easy to rile you up." He grinned, arrogance dripping from his tone.

" What is your problem?" I snapped

" You pretend to 'care' and walk me home so your pretty little ego doesn't get hurt, fine. But now, you're on my balcony, smoking, knowing damn well that if my uncle finds out and thinks I'm the one smoking I'm done for" I took a deep breath, I wasn't done,

" And when I dare to ponder why you're here, you ask me what I'm doing in my room?".

Silence wavered over the two of us, seeping into my ears.

"Are you done?" He chuckled

I didn't want to say anything. On one hand I felt like I'd done a damn good job at putting him in his place and his ignorant butt got what it deserved, but on the other hand, the embarrassment was slowly finding its way to my cheeks, turning them a brighter shade of red than before. Maybe I was just super emotional tonight and I'd completely overreacted.

Still, I stood looking up to him with my mouth shut, hoping he wouldn't be able to feel the tempest of emotions racing inside me.

" The party got shut down by the cops" he continued

" Joe and your cousin both ran off to a second one, probably hoping they'll still be able to get some"

" That doesn't answer why you're here Rome"

"I'm getting there." He sighed, still smirking at me.

"I got bored, didn't feel like going to the party so I looked for a quiet place to smoke." He turned his full gaze to meet mine,

" That's where you bumped into me. After that I realised I was locked out of my house, so I thought I'd pay you a visit"

I gulped. Uncertainty wavering at my emotions.

" Didn't know you'd attack me though." He added

"Unbelievable" I muttered. Who did he think he was?

I felt another shiver climb up my skin, deciding it was still too cold to be out here I walked back into my room.

The heat greeted my senses as I walked towards my bed. That idiot could stay out there all night, but I was getting some sleep.

Or so I thought.

He followed me in, throwing his cigarette over the edge.

I turned around, realising he'd never been in my room. The moonlight shone through the slit in the blinds. I watched him use the little light that was available to him to look at my room.

'Nice little place you got here.' He prodded

Rolling my eyes one last time, I decided to be a decent person, and just for one night I would put our differences aside. For one night I would forget his ass of a personality and be 'amicable'.

I spun around on my heel, now facing him. The dim glow of the street lights outside behind him seemed to wrap around his strong features, highlighting his jawline, his neck.

Fuck. I caught myself just in time and looked away.

' So' I started, ' can I get you something to drink?'

' I'd love a whisky.'

' Anything not illegal for our age?'

' Its less illegal for me than it is for you.'

' Rome.'

' Got anything to eat?'

' Sure.'

I sighed and turned around to my door, opening it up to the rest of the empty house. I began my descent on the creaky wooden stairs, feeling his form close behind me. Maybe it was the lack of sleep at this point but I was determined to make the best of this midnight snack we were about to share.