Illicit

Chapter Nine- Absence

Logan awoke with a jolt as he had a strange dream involving Naomi. One that made him worry about her. Taking his phone from its charger at his side, he found nothing agreeing with his dream. He laid back down and let out a deep breath before finding it was three in the morning. He decided to go for a run as he found it impossible to sleep. Changing into his sweats, he snatched his keys and moved about his route with loud music blasting in his ears. By the time he returned, it was an hour until school and he quickly showered, shaved, and got into his car, keeping his phone clutched at his side. Having a bad feeling, he moved towards the school and moved to his first class.

By the end of the day, she was nowhere in sight. Worried, he had the principal call her to his class but found no answer. Upon calling her home, he found the drunkard to answer the phone. He spoke of how he had not seen her since Friday night after she went to a party. Knowing of her track record with her latest party, he grew nervous. When school ended, he quickly got into his car and drove around town until it grew dark and he found this to be a difficult task. When getting to his apartment, he sat on his couch then jumped up and began pacing. He found it impossible to stay still. He tried to call her several times to find it to go straight to voicemail. He shut his eyes tight and looked out his apartment window to find nothing by the darkness of night.

"Where are you Naomi?" Suddenly he got a knock on his door. Moving to it quickly, he saw her standing there with a suitcase at her side.

"Could I stay here for a little while?" She asked with a smile before he pulled her in with a large hug. Surprised, she smirked and fit her head on his shoulder before he pulled her back.

"Where were you? I so worried."

"It's a long story...do you mind if I come in?"

"Of course!" He pulled in her suitcase before she sat on the couch. "Do you want anything."

"I'd kill for coffee!"

"Okay. No problem." As he moved to the kitchen, she decided to follow him to the bar and sit on the stool. He was surprised on how quiet she was as he turned to find her sitting there. He passed her the cup before watching her take it in with a large gulp.

"So...what happened?"

She paused before tracing the top of the cup and looking back to him. "So...um...My uncle decided it would be funny to take my camera and he saw the pictures I took...of myself...for you."

"Oh Gosh..."

"It gets worse..."

"He smashed it right beside me." She lifted up her bangs which showed a scar. "I spent four hours at the hospital because the glass from the lens was near my temple and any wrong move..." She paused. "I came home..." She paused as tears filled her eyes. "I came home to find him with Kirsten. Apparently they were together for some time...She was showing him pictures of her trip she took over the summer and..." She stopped. "I lived here when I was younger. I moved about four years ago and came back this year-apparently enough time to be forgotten..."

"I'm so sorry."

"The worst part of it...he hit me and she laughed...she said how she dealt with me as an excuse to see him...She was the only friend I had..."

"That's not true."

"How can I be friends with someone I have feelings for?" Her eyes matched with his as he reached across the bar and to her hand.

"The same way we take pictures..."

"From behind the lens of everyone else..."

He moved his finger to her cheek and wiped away a tear. "You shouldn't cry."

"I'm sorry-"

"You shouldn't apologize-"

"I'm." She chuckled. "I'm scared..."

"About what?"

"Losing something that isn't even mine..."

"I am."

She looked up to him and moved from the bar. "If I do something can you promise to not stop me?"

He nodded as she moved to him and pushed him slowly against the counter as she placed her hand on his waist.

"I..I know you deserve someone academic and beautiful...but could you suffice for me for tonight?"

He moved his fingers underneath her chin.

"You are the smartest and most beautiful woman I know. Also the most mature..."

Not able to resist her urge any longer, she wrapped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him in for a lengthy kiss. One that led him to place her against the cupboards on the opposite side of the kitchen. His lips moved to her neck as she brought her fingers to the base of his shirt before he stopped her.

"I'm sorry. I do have to stop you there..."

"Got it." She said with a smirk as she pulled him for another kiss.