It's Just A Game

Chapter 28 Icing And Kisses

Myah kissed me on the cheek. I touched the portion of my face where her lips landed. Surely, my face heats up not in embarrassment. I stood there frozen as she made her way out unto the backyard. I've kissed and been kissed before by girls I flirt and date with but the simple gesture twisted a knot in me. It's beginning to loosen up. I should not be liking it but damn I couldn't help what I'm feeling for her.

I've been smiling lately ever since moving to New Harold High and joining the basketball team. I got drawn the first time I saw her in the library. She looked so naive and serene yet her eyes have secrets and pain. I wanted to be angry and grumpy but I couldn't just do it. I can be amused, annoyed and mad at Myah but she crept into the tiny spaces in my heart and melt it right away. How dare she does it unconsciously?

Watching her with the rest of the boys during the introduction made me groan inwardly as she smiled at them but stared at me until it turns into a full glare. Maybe it was my fault too. I was being rude and judgmental to her. Totally uncalled for.

I took a deep breath aiming to shake off the intensity of Myah's action. I felt happiness roaring out of my heart this very moment. Having her in my arms sent my soul skyrocketing to the stars. Touching her hands calmed the monster hiding in the deepest part of me. I don't want her to see that side of me.

It took almost five minutes before I followed Myah back to our small group. Some of the visitors have already gone home after seeing the Roswell couple exited the party to attend to Mrs. Roswell's ailing mother.

Myah was holding on the necklace while having a hushed talk with Zareena who has this swooning look painted all over her face. I walked toward their direction and was intercepted with Luke handing a bottle of beer into my grip.

"You like Myah. Don't you?" He suddenly asked, moving away from them and looking into the night view from a distance.

I took a swig and swallowed hard. Luke's serious tone needs to be addressed with an equivalent serious response. "Like? Yes, I do." I gave him an honest answer.

"It's pretty obvious, man. You have the reputation for being difficult, Landon but with Myah, you become readable." The team's center chuckled before emptying his bottle. " Paul and I treasure her so much. Protected her in every possible way. I've seen her grew up and she has been a sister I've never had."

"Why are you telling me this?" I shrugged momentarily.

"Just want you to know that if you ever hurt Myah, you know who's going to run after you and kick your ass hard," Luke smirked yet the words hung with deep meaning.

"I welcome the threat, Graham." I reached to tap his left shoulder.

"Take care of her. She's fragile no matter how tough she wanted us to see her." Luke's bowed head tilted in my direction. "¿Intiendes mi amigo?"

I nodded to confirm and Luke draped his arm around my shoulders and maneuvered me back to the team."Man,you're so serious! I almost forgot I'm talking to the real Luke. Loosen up!"

He laughed with me and did the usual fist bump. "I mean real business, Chase." And found Zareena right away on the other arm. He excused his girlfriend from the conversation with Myah then signaled with a head nod for me to swoop in.

"How's the party so far?" I asked Myah as her face lit up with a genuine smile upon seeing me.

"A blast," she commented blushing and sipped on the drink she was holding with the other hand automatically reaching for the necklace. "I like it a lot. Minimal visitors. Just my parent's close friends. Few relatives. And the entire team."

"I'm happy to hear it from you." I didn't know I was holding on my breath that long and exhaled as Myah looked up to me.

"Are you bored?" Her eyes glinted with uncertainty.

"No, I'm not," I answered right away.

Myah nodded sheepishly. "You had a serious conversation with Luke a moment ago. What was that about?"

"It was nothing. It wasn't serious actually. It wasn't about you." The last part came out wrong. Damn. I'm blurting out words without thinking when I'm around her. I have this habit of automatically pinching the bridge of my nose especially when I'm unsure or annoyed. 

She laughed sarcastically. "Why would I think of myself being the subject of your talk?" There she goes. All fired up. My fault.

"That's not what I mean, Myah. Don't get all worked up." I reached for her shoulders and she flinched at my touch. "I'm sorry."

"Fine." She sighed after mumbling something to herself.

"Hey, Myah!" One of the Marino twins called out. It was Xander. "You need to blow the candles on your cake." finished Xanthy.

The rest of the group agreed and huddled while Phil lit the seventeen tiny candles with a lighter. Jessie crazily started the birthday song. Seth and Dave applied some beatbox on it. "You are all silly, guys!" She managed to say as she automatically fitted into my side. My right hand traced her back and landed on her waist while hers on my waist gripping the hem of my shirt. 

Jameson and Allen held the one layered chocolate cake in front of us as the flame started to dance with the occasional evening breeze.

"Close your eyes, Myah. Make a wish." Allen instructed as he settled below the cake making the team laughed in the process. She did oblige and closed her eyes for a couple of seconds. She looked so beautiful.

When she opened her hazel eyes, I almost got sucked in. Myah starting blowing the candles until all seventeen got extinguished with multiple blows.

Zareena reached for the cake out of nowhere and her pointer finger dipped into the chocolate filled icing. Her eyes shone mischievously. "Happy birthday, best friend." She said wiping the icing on Myah's left cheek.

The shocked expression changed into a bubble of laughter as Myah dipped her entire hand without a thought on the cake too and reached to wipe it on her best friend's nose. All hell broke loose. As everybody joined the cake commotion. I held Myah's wrist as we run towards the comfort of the house to avoid more icing on ourselves. Luke almost caught me but I escaped his grasp. We stopped by the kitchen panting, trying to regain balance. She looked up at me leaning on the sink. "You got icing on the side of your mouth." Myah was trying to control another set of laughter.

"You too as well." I pointed it and she did the sexiest thing by licking it with her tongue. I don't know what came over me. I pulled her by the waist closer to me and kissed her with all might. The chocolate icing tastes sweet but her lips tasted even better. I lingered on her lips and was waiting for her to push me back but found her arms circled around my neck.

The night just kept on getting better too.