Touch & Go

5. Holy Ground

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"I left a note on the door with a joke we'd made."

- Taylor Swift, Holy Ground

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January 21st, 2016

DIFFERENT. Doped. Diverted. Delighted. 

I continued to smile to myself as I made my way to the cafeteria. Yesterday had left me thinking about Theo and where these unexpected events would leave us. My life had been quite uneventful when it came to boys, save Adam.

When I picked up an apple from the food counter, an idea made its way to the back of my mind. I might be able to pull it off. And I don't want Theo to be the one making all the moves.

I bit into my apple and moved towards his wing. I could only hope he wasn't in his cubicle, furiously typing away. Once I saw the coast was clear, I made my way to his desk. Checking the drawers, I looked for post-it pads. Maybe they would be our thing?

Eddie Teddy, you've got yourself a date at Starbucks. Our spot at 6 today?

This was something I'd never done, but I felt oddly at peace. This was a strange kind of satisfaction. I knew he was the star kid, I was taking my chances. Even though I loved the background, the spotlights weren't new to me.

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THEODORE'S PoV

My whistling stopped the moment my eyes landed on an unfamiliar note on my board in my cubicle. I smirked as I read it. I had never expected to see this side of her. It was like she had a varying spectrum of behaviours and each one was contrastingly refreshing.

I had four hours to finish today's work.

~~~

I finished half an hour ago. Who could blame me? I was excited. Only a tad bit though. Okay, maybe more. I was thankful I was wearing my favourite blue plaid shirt today, not that I knew I was going to see her, right?

She was not only showing different sides of her, but she was bringing out mine too. I held her note in my hand and pushed open the glass door.

She was seated right where I had found her that night. Not to forget, how much I loved calling this corner "our spot". Maybe it was because I felt special, no, it was certainly because I felt special.

I placed the note in front of her, pulling her out of her daydream.

"I believe I've got a date, yes?"

She smiled at that, abashed.

"Yes sir, do seat yourself."

"Right after I get my own drink." With that, I stood to get my caramel macchiato, giving myself enough time to think of a topic. Pets. I'll talk about pets. Girls love animals.

But the plan went out of the window when she looked into my eyes after I had taken a seat. There was a slight upward curl to her lips, which was anything but mischievous. We sipped our drinks in silence until I couldn't take her mental-analysis anymore.

"What exactly is going through your head right now?"

Her bubbled laughter followed my question.

"You're more than a pretty face." I'll ask her more on that later.

"Pretty face? Please, I'm a threat to humanity." Whatever happened to sounding smart, Knight.

Her ringtone saved me from further humiliation and I silenced myself. She didn't even speak anything and handed the phone to me.

"Hello?" I spoke into the device.

"Yes, ma'am." I said after Grace's instructions had ended and returned the phone to Iris.

"What did she say?"

"Told us to use protection." I was never going to tell her and she knew it.

She looked down as colour rushed to her cheeks even though she knew that wasn't it.

"I'm not spending our entire first date in here, c'mon, let's get moving, bashful." To which she smiled and followed.

Silence ensued again and I, in the moment, held her warm hand in my cold one. She didn't pull it back, and continued staring at the path in front of us. I continued staring at her face instead.

"I love the dimple in your cheeks when you smile. You know they say about cute girls with dimples."

"Corny lines don't work on me, Theo."

"Damn it!" And I was glad the mood was light.

"I really do like you." She quietly said.

"But you don't want to get into a relationship." I figured that out.

"Yes. I don't know how to handle one."

"That's quite alright. As long as you don't ignore me, we'll be fine."

"If you don't mind me asking, Theo. Why did you break up with Kate?"

I scrunched my nose and pretended to gag.

"I didn't like her very much. And she was mean to my nephews."

I knew it was wrong not to open up to her, when that was the first thing she'd done. I knew I was going to do it when it felt right.

"It's a good thing I'm good with kids, then." She smiled sweetly at me and stopped in her tracks.

"Theo, I want to tell you something." I placed my ear next to her lips curiously.

"Theo, I... I don't know how to say this...but I don't think you can catch me!" With that, she took off and I ran after her.

A minute after chasing her in the park, behind benches and lampposts, she squealed when I caught her waist. I didn't let go of her and the tension between us skyrocketed.

"Can I kiss you, Iris?" I whispered as seductively as I could from behind her.

"You're warm." She stupidly replied.

I chuckled and twirled her around, so that I could face her. Placing my forehead on hers, I looked into her hazel orbs.

"You're beautiful."

She looked down again, and I placed my hand on her chin, making her look at me again.

"It's true." And with that I kissed the corner of her lips. I continued to tease her until she grew flustered and finally held my face in her hands, forcing me to stay in place while she took charge.

Her lips were anything but soft this time. Passionate. Rushed. Hard.

She didn't run out of breath and I continued to respond feverishly. Her hands curled in my locks and mine held on tightly to her waist. She was warm and I was cold. She was innocent and I was sinned. She was Iris and I was Theodore and yet somehow, we were all we needed in the moment.

"You're my first kiss." She silently told me, with blushing cheeks and star-lit eyes. I hadn't expected that in the least. She was beautiful inside out. And I was sure she'd had boyfriends. But I knew she wasn't lying. I was soaring, and I didn't plan on landing anytime anytime. Her kisses left me high.

"And you're my first drug."

Looking at her charmed expression, I smiled and kissed her again. And I couldn't help but think, corny lines did work on her.

~~~

Major plot twist coming next chapter!

Love, Sirrah.

ps. edited :)