Loved You First (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 18: Paradox

Paris' POV.

The game finally ended at one in the morning with Ian winning and Shane being a sore loser.

"Really guys. We should have had an over-time." Shane whined all the way to the elevator when we decided to call it a night and go back to our rooms. "I mean, I could totally still rock a three-point shot."

We all listened to his ranting, too tired to even shut him up or contradict him. Since Ian was behind me in the cramped elevator, he leaned his head at the back of my head.

I sighed and tried to shake his head off of my back. "You're sweaty."

"Don't worry, I washed my face at the lobby bathroom a while ago." He mumbled and held my shoulders to steady me. I stopped moving around. I let him rest for a while considering he was really tired.

"Hey! Are you guys even listening?" Shane whined. God, are elevator rides usually take this long?

"No, so shut the hell up." Jade rolled her eyes with an irritated look. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't relieved.

"Thank goodness someone said it." Margot sighed.

I saw Shane pout and - gosh, yes finally - the elevator doors opened. "Well, goodnight guys." Charlie said and went to their room with Margot. I gave a small smile to everyone. Jade grunted a reply and Shane followed her to their room, still sulking. Ian, on the other hand, was too tired to reply and just headed off inside our room.

"I'll just shower, okay?" Ian said and headed off to the bathroom. I got him some cold water from the small refrigerator we had in our room and prepared myself for bed.

He finally emerged from the bathroom only wearing a sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips. I gulped and was relieved that he couldn't see me oglin - I mean, staring - at him because his head was bent down, drying his hair. Oh my goodness, help me.

My "view" was apparently short-lived when he got his shirt on. I quickly averted my eyes and shuffled to get the water I prepared a while ago. "Here."

He gave me a grateful smile and drank the water until it was almost empty. I moved to my side of the bed and he laid down next to me after placing his water back on the bedside table.

Now that I knew - and admitted to myself - that I like Ian, it seemed almost impossible for me to control my hormones. But it also made me extra cautious about my actions, especially around him. So without really thinking, I placed an extra pillow beside me to have a "barrier" between us in case I won't be able to restrain myself.

"I'll close the lights now, do you mind?" Ian asked.

"No, go ahead." I smiled slightly. He reached over the side of the bed where the light switch is located and the room was instantly basked in darkness. The only light source coming from the city lights on the other side of the big window and the corridor light from the crack underneath the door.

He slid under the covers and I turned to face away from him. Breathe, Paris. I tried to remind myself that we've been sleeping beside each other for about a week now. I should get used to this but, really all it does is make me crave to be beside him every minute of every day.

"Hey Dory." He whispered when my eyes started to droop after a couple of minutes. The weird endearment made me smile. It makes me feel like something only we two could share. Which is kind of true. But oh well, let a girl have her moment.

"Yeah, Nemo?" I teased, shifting to look back at him.

My eyes widened to see him so close to me despite the pillow between us that just reached up to our chests. Our noses were almost touching, my goodness. I was about to back away but if he's okay with this, why shouldn't I right? Plus, he might think I'm uncomfortable because of our little fight earlier. The last thing I wanted is for us to be awkward and him thinking I still haven't forgiven him.