One Step Closer

Chapter 10 - It's Where My Demons Hide.

I know it's been sooooo damn long since the last update, but please forgive me, I WAS HAVING A WRITER'S BLOCK. So, I hope this compensates for the delay! : )

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Diana's POV:

A car ride never, ever felt so suffering! I would even prefer having a cow sit on my face right now, to having to sit with James in his car.

Yeah..after my Godzilla scene, my Mom left for work, leaving me with James. Like a Hyena trying to grab food at the slightest chance, James kept staring at my mouth while I tried to ignore him and complete my fruit-loops.

I am still in a sour mood, when suddenly something from earlier pops into my mind. James Bald 007. With no care of my surroundings, I start to hoot with laughter at the mental image of a bald James playing soccer and flirting with hobos at school.

Not until a warm, strong yet, gentle hand on my thigh, stops me from thrashing around, do I realise that I've been kicking the dashboard very hard and the gearshift slightly in the process.

Shit.

When I turn my head to look at James, I notice something that I've never imagined I would see. A genuine, sweet, small smile is playing on his lips and I can't stop the way I stare at his face. *Awkward*  Feeling my cheeks warm up to a blush, I pull my legs back down and sit in an uncomfortable ramrod-straight posture.

Would I ever stop embarrassing myself?! No. Ofcourse. It just had to be James and his highly decorated car?! Yes. Ofcourse.

In a vain attempt to kick the awkward moment in the car, I ask James if he has any music to listen to. He gives me a knowing look which included a glint in his eyes and an almost absent smirk. Whatever dude. I'm not that dumb to sit and ogle at you all day. (Even though you are drool-worthy!)

Wait. What?

He shuffles through the folders behind the vanity mirror above his head and places a CD into the player.
And not so long after, I find both of us humming to the well-known songs in our own way. Until..

'Demons'. This song. That part of my life. Struggle. Anxiety. Darkness.

Unconsciously, I start to back away from the speaker and fold my legs and brace myself by hugging my knees. Not long ago, this song was a melancholic beat that was always blasting from my iPod.

".. if you want." I turn just in time to James, noticing he was talking to me while I reminisced my past. I reply politely, sounding meek, "I'm sorry, what was that?"

James glances at me with a concerned look and repeats himself. "I said you can change the song if you want. You don't seem very comfortable with it. Your whole demeanor just changed in a moment. What's wrong, Ana?"

I look away from him and gaze out of the window. This is not the time to regale my memories and lash out at the unfortunate mishaps, at him. I take a deep, calming breath and say, "No. It's fine. Just... it's a very reminding song for me. It's okay." With this, I flash him a small smile.

Though he looks unconvinced, he thankfully lets the matter rest. It's not like I had to tell him everything anyway. And why would he want to know it? He is not here to listen to sappy or sad tales of mine.

'Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide'

James sings out this part too enthusiastically, and very efficiently and I turn to look at him. Wow! Enjoying the song that much? Let's make it rain on his parade...

"Oh my god. Stop singing, you cow! You are making my ears bleed!" I start hitting his shoulder lightly, aware that he is driving.

"What? You don't like my free private concert?" he says, as if hurt. "Well, if you don't want me singing privately for you, I think I can come up with other things to do. And if you are lucky enough, baby, you can see where my demon hides." he says just as another song starts to play, with a smug expression towards his pants.

I take a moment to understand why he is coy about his de... What the fuck!

"OMG. Have you never heard of TMI?! I definitely don't want to see your demon and I hope someone slays it off!" I shout with my eyes scrunched in disgust. Though the thought seems good... No.

At this, James has the gall to burst out laughing and I notice that I've been blushing like an idiot all this time. Gah! Why does he have to be so... flirty with me ? Surely I had him convinced that I would play my part of the deal. Why even put the effort of flirting and all the shit?

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James' POV:

I don't think I can laugh enough at her for her reaction in this moment! Damn! The flushed and shy, annoyed expression she had when she just realised what I was referring to. Hahaha!

Making another fruitless attempt at controlling my laughter, I take a glance at her. Lost in thought, with a small almost-absent frown, the back of her index finger pushing her full lower lip between her teeth. This reminds me when I watched the way she ate her fruit-loops. Hell. I just couldn't look away from her full lips and the way they moved. They just felt so... inviting.

A shiver runs through me and I barely notice the red light and apply the brakes in the nick of time. What am I thinking?  What is she thinking? Concerned, I ask her. "Hey dreamy, what's going on in that head of yours?" She seems startled and cautious all of a sudden. Okay, what is going on? I better tread carefully now.

"Diana? What's wrong now? Tell me." I ask in a more demanding way. Whatever it is, I want to know. "I was just wondering, why would you take all this trouble of getting to know me? Why me?" she has a clueless expression, curious eyes, that ask me for a real answer.

How can I answer her, without letting her see my own demons which I so effortlessly hide from others? But right at this moment, I feel vulnerable... to her, to her sweet, innocent question.

Maybe I could just give her a glimpse of what I've not shared with anyone. Maybe, judging by her reaction to the song earlier, she too has demons that she didn't yet face. Maybe, just maybe, we can share...

No. This is too soon. Why am I even thinking about all this now? She wanted to know why I asked for a chance to get to know her? Fine.

With my signature smirk, to block her out, I say, "Well, like I said earlier, try and trust me on this, you'll get all your answers later.." that's if I realise if I have an answer myself  ".. and what's wrong in having some fun while we are at it? The getting-to-know part I mean. What harm could you get out of my innocent motive?" I pout and wriggle my eyebrows at her and there... the enigma that she is, blushes and looks away.

This should be interesting, and I think Collin will be way too interested with her to kick my ass for ditching him yesterday. Time for some game now.