Not Just Charity

Distracted

In the morning Eve woke with an arm thrown protectively around her. Her back was pressed against hard abs, and her hair was ruffled by the deep breathes of Danny sleeping. His arm was strong across her chest, gripping her shoulder. She stared at the muscles of his biceps as he pulled her closer to him, muttering in his sleep.

She checked the clock. Only 4:30, she still had time before she had to get up for school. She tried to wiggle out of his grip, but to no avail. Relenting, she lay back down and let the scent of him encompass her as she drifted back to sleep.

***

Later that morning, after her alarm goes off, Eve slips out of Danny's grip and goes and gets ready for school. She doesn't think he noticed and so she doesn't bring it up at breakfast.

At school that day, Eve has a very boring first block, but then it's time for gym with Gemma! She and Gemma walk into the gym together and put their waters on the bleachers. Then they go to their normal corner and start to warm up for the day.

They are stretching when Danny and a few of his buddies enter. She had forgotten they were also in this class. She's staring intently at the floor, trying to avoid eye contact, when Gemma speaks.

"You know, looking back, it really was a bad decision." She says.

"What?" Eve looks up from the floor in confusion.

"Danny!" She replies, like it was so obvious. "I mean, he's nice to look at! But behind the face, there just isn't much in the way of substance! You know what I mean?"

"Uh huh," Eve finally looks up at Danny, and now she can't look away. She stares at him as he and his friend shove each other. And as the teacher yells at them to stop.

"Idiots!" Gemma says.

"Yea..." Eve says, halfheartedly. They were showing off now. Doing pushups, and clapping each time they came up.

"I can't believe how you sleep in the same house as him!"

Eve looks up in panic, only hearing part of what Gemma had said. "What?!?!"

"Girl! Are you ok?!? You've been acting off all morning!" Gemma looks at her in concern.

"Oh, yeah! I'm fine ... just ... tired, is all." She tries to put on a convincing smile.

"Yeah well..." Eve gets distracted again.

Danny is taking off his hoodie. He looks over at her and Gemma as he unzips it. They make eye contact and he bites his lip. Eve feels her face heat up, and she sees him smile at the sight of her blush. He tosses the hoodie to the side and turns back to his friends, but she can't look away.

The shirt he has on fits snuggly in the sleeves, showing off the muscles in his arms. The same arms that held her so close last night. She has to clench her jaw to keep it from dropping, as he and his friends take turns doing pull-ups on the bar. The teacher yells at them once again and they all go off to get water, laughing loudly.

Their gazes lock just as Gemma taps her on the shoulder, and Eve is forced to look away.

"Let's go!"

"Coming!" Eve follows Gemma as they head over to the group going on a walk.