Close The Door

Chapter 13- In Plain Sight

I bring him close to me, craving him more. I don't care about what the world thinks in this moment, I only care about him. He wraps his arms around my waist, and mine around his next, as we feel the tension heat up. We navigate our way towards his bed, where I lay down and with him on top of me, not breaking the kissing. I instinctively rub my hand on his chest, picturing it with precise detail from when I first saw it, except I was close to it. I could feel his heart pacing in sync with mine. The passion rivals that of the night I spent the night with him. I'm so encapsulated in Ash's mouth that I don't notice my phone vibrate. Ash stops, and I look at the phone to see Mallow is calling me. I answer the phone. "Hello?" I say. "Babe, are you on your way back?" She asks. "Yeah, Ash and I are heading to his room real quick, he wants to bring his alcohol," I lie, with Ash getting to see how bad I am at lying and laughing quietly to himself. "Okay, just be careful. I'll see you here. Food's almost ready," she says. "I can't wait, we'll be there soon. Bye," I say, and she hangs up after saying bye as well.

"So where were we," Ash says with a hint of mischief. I see him smirk, and I can't help it but I feel myself blushing. Was this what was actually meant by 'sealing the deal?' Was I meant to know what that meant exactly in terms of our relationship?

"Ash, as much as I want to continue, we should head back. But also, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing each other more," I say, with a blush growing on my face. He smiles. He grabs the bottle of tequila that wasn't finished a couple night ago and a newer bottle and slipped them in his bag.

He's so carefree, but I'm an anxious mess. The only good thing is that the bottles in his bag are separated by something in there that he won't tell me about, and aren't clashing against each other. We get past the main doors and out of the building.

Once we reach my building, I feel relieved that no one suspected anything. Ash thinks I'm just paranoid. While that couldn't be further from the truth, I despise being called out for it, especially from someone who I could kiss again just to shut them up. To avoid any elevator encounters, I suggest taking the stairs since the walk isn't far up, even though my legs are exhausted. He agrees, so we walk towards the stairwell, and once the steel, windowless door is shut, he grabs my hand for a moment, and I feel like we're dancing on a flame-lit tightrope. It's quite thrilling, but terrifying, and he feels the same. Yet, he continues. This isn't the same Ash who was scared, or is trying not to be.

We reach Mallow's room, and the once tasty smell from earlier had evolved into a positively indescribable scent, my mouth waters, and my stomach lets out an inviting growl, awaiting for the food that my fake girlfriend prepared for us. The room is now feeling a little cramped, with the addition of Lana, Chloe, Sophocles, and Kiawe with the already existing Mallow and Misty, and now Ash and me.

Since there isn't room on the table for all of us, some people, literally only the guys, elected to sit on the floor. We're all scarfing down on the meal, which is the best thing I've ever had. Mallow's cooking rivals that of Chloe's, if not superior. "Mallow, this is the best thing I've ever eaten. No offense, Chloe," I say, and I hear Mallow giggling as Chloe shows a loving gesture with her hands. She laughs regardless. "This really was delicious, Mallow. I say if school doesn't work for us, we should open up a restaurant. Goh and Ash can vouch for me," Chloe said, as Ash and I nodded our heads in support. Mallow's face lights up, indicating her happiness towards the positive reception towards her meal from Chloe and me. Ash, who relished his portions, chimed in as well. "I agree, both you and Chloe have stellar skills. I'm jealous, all I can make are sandwiches, but I somehow set something on fire," he says, and in unison, we all laugh. I feel so happy. Years ago, I never thought I'd make so many friends, and neither could Chloe.

Once we all had a bowl, Ash pulled out the alcohol from his bag and all but Mallow and me had some. Ash turned to look at me. "Are you sure you don't want any? The burning sensation goes away after a while," he said while he sent me a wink, almost as if he was suggesting something else. My eyes widened, hoping no one else saw that, but to my surprise, no one did. "You know what, fine. Pour me a shot," I say, and he grins, as if he was expecting that to be my answer. He carefully pours a small amount in a shot glass, but despite me telling him to put it at half, he fills it up to the brim, chuckling evilly. 'He wants to kill me tonight.'