Road to Evergreen | #Wattys2016

t w e l v e

Jeremy is holding my hand as we make our way to the crowded dance floor. We find a spot in the middle and we start dancing. He put his hand on my hips and we flow in the same rhythm. I'm actually enjoying myself and so is Jeremy. His eyes are brighter than it's usual shade of blue and he is smiling. But, suddenly, out of nowhere, he is lying on the floor, blood pouring from his mouth. I glance behind me, and I find Adam, wild green eyes, clenched fist, and anger pumping his veins. I lie on the ground next to Jeremy.

"Jeremy! Jeremy, are you okay?" I ask, concerned.

He spits out some blood," yeh, I'm fine."

He looks toward Adam,"not cool, Reindl."

He gets up from the floor and flies his fist toward Adam's face. Adam dodges his blow and pushes Jeremy back, until he is on the ground again.

"What the actual fuck Adam?" I yell over the music, very mad.

We made an audience, as everyone is staring at us, making space for the battle. They all start hooting: Fight. Fight. Fight.

He reaches out his hand to me, "come on, let's go,"

"You're crazy that you even think that I'm going with you," I say. Furious.

He sighs and picks me up, puts me over his shoulder and heads out. I yell and flap my arms and legs against his chest, hitting him hard. This is so against my will, I can't believe he would do that.

"Drop me, now!" I order. But he doesn't.

We are out of the house and walking on the pavement as people eye us curiously.

"I don't want to show my ass to the world! I can walk," I demand.

He still doesn't reply. As we approach his car, he opens the front passenger seat, puts me in and climbs to his seat. He locks the door automatically. I feel like I'm a prisoner in my own making. This is so unfair.

"Get me out!" I yell, as I fumble to open the door.

"Dammit, Lesley!" Adam says.

He picks me up, puts me on his lap, and looks in my eyes. I'm too shocked with what he did, that I can't move, speak or breathe. Our gaze lock as he slowly lifts his hand and brushes his finger on my cheek. The hair on my neck rises under his touch.

"You drive me mad. You are so stubborn and stupid and ruthless. You do whatever you like without thinking." He reaches out his hands to touch my cheeks. "But that's what makes me like you," he whispers.

My mind is racing and my heart is beating so fast: one..two..three..four..five..six. We are so close I can feel the heat of his body warm mine, could hear the soft whisper of his breath as he exhaled. I inch closer, and feel his hand encircle my waist. I look up at him, his soft green eyes already locked on mine. He runs his fingertips up my forearm, leaving a trail of goosebumps blooming in their wake. He brings his hand up to cup my cheek, his thumb running along the curve of my cheekbone. I nestle into his hand, feeling his warmth seep into mine. Adam leans in, lips parting slightly, his eyes flitting down to rest on mine. His kiss was soft, but urgent. Our lips move in unison and I can literally feel sparks flying everywhere.

His tongue touches mine and the kiss is wet and hot. He retracts and we are both panting for more.

"You're so beautiful,"he whispers. And I melt. And we kiss again and again and again.

Our foreheads are pressed together as our chests rise in uneven, breathing heavily. My heart is beating even faster than before.

"Let's start again," Adam says.

"Hi, I'm Adam Reindl, and you are?" He introduces himself and asks.

I look in his eyes, confused. An hour ago he was kissing a girl, and now he was kissing me. Is he staying around me because he thinks I'm easy? Is that what my impression was? I feel ashamed and I wish I can crawl under a rock right now. I'm so lost. But I finally manage to say, "So is that your way to pick up girls?"

He looks confused, as if someone slapped him across his face. He is trying to read my face for any emotion or clues, "wait, you mean back there?" He gestures to the fraternity house. "That was nothing! Believe me." He puts his finger under my chin, making me lift my eyes to meet his.

"Believe me, Lesley. You mean the world to me, she means nothing," he says.

My heart aches at the sight of him. His eyes are filled with worry and I can't help but believe him. There's too much honesty in his shades of green. I take a breath and say, "I'm Lesley Parker, nice to meet you," and reach out my hand.

He shakes my hand and doesn't let go, "I think we are over the hand shaking now, don't you think?" He says, smiling.

He holds my hand and plays smoothly with my fingers, locking our hands together. I grin to the sight of this, and so does Adam.