Swept Away

Chapter 5

The room was large and spacious, opened out and lofty. The only light that graced the room was the single beam of silvery moonlight that shone through the window pane. It was deathly quiet, but somehow I could feel that he was in here. 

I didn't like how... aware I was of him. It couldn't possibly be normal to feel like I could find him blindfolded in a maze.

I pulled a string and a single lightbulb came on with an eerie buzz.

"Nice updo," I turned at his voice deep and smooth. He was wearing that smirk that made me want to punch him. I let my eyes roam the length of his body freely; noting the way the thin black t-shirt clung to him, showing off what was probably a toned stomach. Further down his worn pair of dark jeans hung dangerously low on his hips, and I just--

He cleared his throat.

"Uh," I blinked. What had he been saying before...? Before I looked into his dark brooding eyes..? Right, my hair.

"Yeah, it was Charlotte's work. I hate it," I haphazardly untwisted and removed bobby pins until my blonde hair came cascading down my back.

"Aren't you less curly? More wavy?" Zion inquired, with little circular hand motions to indicate curls. He took a step closer, fingering a tendril of my hair. He was crowding me, and I didn't like to be crowded. His scent overwhelming me in what was  the best and the worst possible way. He smelt like sharp mint, and spice and the earth after rain. 

I didn't like how much I liked it. Okay, caught-- I loved it.

"Yes," I replied curtly staring pointedly at his fingers all twirled in my hair.

He dropped it slowly, but never stepped back. He was too close. Somehow this change of scenery-- from a classroom to some weird, very empty loft-- effected the way I reacted to him greatly. I was lacking my usual sharp, wittiness for a reason I didn't want to think about. But I knew enough, being alone with him had my thoughts scattered.

"But once again it was Charlotte's idea," I didn't know why I was telling him this. I doubted that he cared.

"I can tell," he nodded looking amused, like he wanted to laugh at me.

"Yeah, well I didn't let her go near my face, or influence my clothing choices."

I couldn't help but think, verbal diarrhea.

"Well," he let his eyes slide over me and my stomach did a weird thing, a series of flips, "this does look more your style."

I scoffed, "Yeah, cause you know my style."

"I know a lot about you," he countered. 

Something about the way his tone fluctuated, and his close proximity made me uncomfortable with the statement. I laughed, trying to sound sardonic, but even to my own ears it sounded... uneasy and hesitant-- lilting a sharply nervous.

"Like, you twirl your hair when you're nervous," okay well that's nothing crazy-- so he's observant.

He reached out his hand to still my fingers, "By the way, I like it when it's down."

My cheeks flooded with colour.

"You have these trust issues with guys ever since your dad left, and your favourite colour is teal."

At this I backed up, my blood running cold. He spoke about my dad. My mind had stopped, my whole body frozen; I was surprised my heart was still beating, but then after what could have been five minutes or a split second my mind started racing. Reeling in high def whilst my heart hammered away in my chest.

I didn't like how confident and casual he sounded as he stated that. Tacking on my favourite colour-- which was correct by the way-- to add a feeling of nonchalance.

"Wha-- what are you even doing here?" I managed.

"It's a highschool party, they don't exactly have a invite list. I mean, c'mon," he lowered his voice conspiratorially, "there's even freshman here."

I narrowed my eyes, "I just didn't think this was your scene. You don't strike me as the kind of guy that shows up to these things..."

He laughed as he turned to leave but not without saying, "I was about to day the same to you."

I heard his footsteps fade and once I knew it was safe, and that I was alone I decided it was time to get out of here. Charlotte had her keys, and if she was smashed, well she knew plenty of people she could get a ride from. Even knowing this, I called just so I could tell myself I tried. However, like I had expected, there was no answer so I ended the call, slipping my phone into my jacket pocket. I closed my eyes and said my trigger word, "Adhortanetesque". I felt the familiar ice cold rush race up my spine and when I opened my eyes, I was someplace new.

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A/N: How's that for a plottwist?! Eh.. eh? Were you expecting that? Cause I wasn't. Just kidding I sorta was... cause I had this already written, but originally this wasn't the plan. Anyway read/vote/comment and such cause it makes me so excited agdhdsjdf

I know these last few chapters have been pretty short but I'm trying to make sure this story has a solid plan so I don't just... stop writing-- this happens to me a lot. Plus I can barely sit and write for more than like an hour or two, so bear (bare?) with me it's moving along slowly but surely. And my updates are pretty frequent so for the few of you reading I hope you can appreciate that (:

To the side is a cover made by the lovely @GwendalynNove. Isn't it preshh? Thanks girl!

~luckyon3 aka Sarah

xx