I'm Yours

Chapter Three

Anna's P.O.V.

Climbing those last stairs is agony. I can feel the pressure building in my stomach, churning out waves of indescribable emotions. The smell is hypnotizing me, fogging my mind like hot breath on cold glass. I run my fingers over the chunky braid hanging from the back of my head. I've never liked anything having so much power over me. My thoughts float back to a couple months ago. His coal black eyes burn through mine, reminding me of the recently closed wounds on my back.

I'm cut from my thoughts when Poppy pushes me forward to meet the first person. Of course she makes me go first. You always send the girl with social anxiety into the group of prestigious, popular people first. A feeling similar to entering a wolves den consumes me as I mindlessly talk my way through teenagers who's names I cannot remember for the life of me. I'm too distracted to do anything but give empty smiles anyway.

Wading through the heavy air, I step slowly towards the one and only Sebastian Olzanski. He's taller than I imagined, setting me off more than I already am. He smiles and waves while bending over to turn off his shoes. They were currently flashing different colours, changing from blue to green to red then right back to green again.

"Sorry just let me turn these off." He laughs, fiddling with a switch on the side of his sneakers.

All of a sudden I get an overwhelming feeling. Like my whole world is behind me, staring me in the back. My breath catches in my throatand I tug at my sweater insecurely, smoothing down invisible wrinkles. The bee-like thoughts swarm and bounce, tempting me to turn around and end this torture already.

But I don't.

"O-ok" I finally manage to stutter out.

I probably look like a jerk. I don't mean to not pay attention, it just comes with being Anna. A head full of thoughts and nothing to do with them but listen. No one else will.

The butterflies take their turn, trying to convince me to turn around and face whatever is behind me. I giggle awkwardly. This whole situation is awkward. Skirting around easily solved problems is tiring. It hits me again, this time stronger than before. The lemons and chocolate call my name. A bright light in a pitch black room. I can't ignore it anymore. I count to three and look up.

Crystal eyes freeze me in my tracks. My breath hitches in my throat. Everything around us fades away. His eyes darken and flash with something unrecognizable. I can't place it exactly. It's overwhelming, the same feeling as touching something that's so hot it's cold.

I'm ripped away from the sparkling blue pools and pulled into a hug with Sebastian. It doesn't feel right. My arms hang weirdly around his neck, forcing me onto my tip toes. I sigh and blow a stray hair out of my face, convincing myself that hugging this stranger isn't as bad as it seems. I guess it's kind of nice. He's soft at least. Very squishy.

A wave of hurt courses through my blood.

I feel another pair of arms wrap around my waist and I immediately sink back into them. Almost like on instinct. It was as if my body just knew what to do. I welcome the sparks of electricity flowing between us, letting their body warm mine. In that moment all the restless worrying disappeared. Whatever I was missing before is right behind me now.

A loud growl rips through the crowd as the arms move me away from Sebastian. It's  accompanied by a loud voice.

"Mine."

The arms tighten and a sigh escapes my lips. I don't know what's happening but I have never felt safer. For seemingly the first time in forever it feels as though I can breathe without looking over my shoulder or without calculating what I'm going to say next.

I don't know what made me say it but a soft "I'm yours" escaped my lips.

I hear, well more like feel, him take a sharp breath. He crushes me to his chest, easily towering my small frame. I turn around and burry my face in his chest as he does the same to my neck, taking a deep breath. This is what a real hug should feel like. Warmth and happiness. He makes me feel so small but unlike Sebastian, I love it. I don't have to strain to fit into his body. We just match. The sense of security that accompanies his arms is overwhelming. Something tells me that he could always protect me.

I hear a cough behind me. The spell breaks and I look around. Shocked faces and dismayed expressions stare dumbfounded at our little scene. I jump back and out of his arms. The cold surrounds me and I hug my arms around myself, longing to be back in his arms but I can't be.

I'm Cinderella and the clock has just struck midnight.

Reed's P.O.V.

Sebastian pulls her into a hug and away from my eyes. Seeing her snuggled up to him caused a wave of hurt to course through me. I look to the carpet, trying to avoid watching her wrap her arms around his neck instead of mine.

Then I feel discomfort. Hers. He was causing that!

I wrap my arms around her tiny waist, protecting her from him, as I growl.

"Mine!"

She sinks back into my chest and let's out a breath. Her petite frame is easily swallowed by my towering one, her head barely reaching to my shoulders. I feel the electricity flow between us and I tighten my arms around her. I will protect her, no matter what.

A soft whisper escapes her beautiful lips.

"I'm yours."

I take in a quick breath as she turns around and pushes herself into my chest. I close my eyes and sink my head into the crook of her neck. I breathe in her lavender scent. I've spent almost a year waiting for this moment. Waiting to find the small girl currently wrapped in my arms. Her fingers softly gripped the fabric of my t-shirt, accidentally brushing my stomach through the material.

I don't even know her name and I'm already in love with her.

I hear a far off cough but I know that it's probably right behind us. I could care less. They can wait. God knows how long I've waited. She tenses at the noise and pulls her head up, looking around at the crowd that has accumulated. Her eyes go as large as saucers at their stunned faces. It's like a force of nature tears her away, that's how fast she jumps out of my arms.

The cold surrounds me as well as the hurt and sadness that pours from her being. I see tears form in her eyes before she drags her friend away and out of my sight.

No.

It will not end like this! She's mine.

Forever.

I close my eyes, wishing that time would rewind just a few seconds back. If I knew she was going to run I would've stopped her. I would've said something, calmed her down. I would've done anything to keep her in my arms.

I feel nails drag up my arm as well as the ice cold fear coming from the thought of her being vulnerable. That anyone could hurt her. I turn to the girl running her claws along my arm and gently push her off. I have no time for other girls when mine is somewhere crying her eyes out and I'm the only one who can calm her down. I glare at Sebastian one more time and run down the stairs, people echoing my name after me.

All I care about is her.

Don't worry baby girl, I'm coming.