His Eyes, His Smile.

Part 9

The absence of James in my life made me start to crave affection. All I wanted was James to pick up his phone or for him to be near me. Some days I couldn't even get through without breaking down just at hearing a song that reminded me of him.

One morning I got up in a feeling of angst. Walking to my closet I stood in front of it contemplating my outfit for the day. James had always wanted me to dress modestly so other guys wouldn't stare at me too much but today I felt rebellion in my bones. I pulled out a dress from the back of the closet.

"Wouldn't you just love it if I wore this." I mocked out loud as if talking to James.

The dress was low cut and was only just long enough to barely cover my bum. It had slits along the sides of the torso with lace underneath. It clung tight around the boddess but flowed down at the bottom. The color was a deep romantic red with black ribbon trim at the edges. I felt like I was teenager rebelling against my parents.

I zipped on a pair of tall black high heel boots that came up almost past my knees. Looking in the mirror I felt, honestly, like a bit of a hooker but I didn't care. With a slather of some red lipstick and winged eyeliner, I finished off the look. As I headed out the door I added my final touch of tousling my wavy locks up a bit before getting in the car.

When I walked into my physics lecture, all eyes were on me. It felt so weird to be the center of attention but the comments from everybody filled the attention void that I had developed. My eyes flittered over the staring faces until they met a certain dark pair of alluring brown ones: Cody's. I walked over to him and sat in the seat next to his.

"Hey, long time no see." I said flirtatiously putting my hand on his leg.

A devilish feeling came over me as I imagined how James would feel right now if he saw me with Cody like this. Although he wasn't here, I wanted him to hurt like I did seeing me with someone else and every flirty move I made felt like revenge.

"Wow hey there Alice! Y-you look great!" Cody stuttered, staring at my bare thighs, letting his eyes start to wander upwards to my exposed chest.

"I thought I'd try something new today." I laughed back.

Having Cody notice me made a smirk come across my face. James would want to tear Cody apart by now and the thrill of power was exhilarating

Our lecture dragged on for two hours and I noticed Cody's attention continue to switch from me to the professor every once and awhile.

"That's it for today everybody.. See you tomorrow and Alice uh could you see me in my office after please." Mr Keller announced, ending the class.

"See you later." I winked, putting my hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah for sure." Cody replied, his cheeks flushing at my touch.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked standing in Mr Keller's office doorway.

"Uh yes have a seat." He said closing the door behind me.

"You really attracted some attention today, eh?" He asked staring blatantly at my cleavage. "Well.. I just wanted to tell you I noticed too.. And well.." He grunted, making an advance at me.

"Mr Keller! What are you doing?!" I exclaimed.

"I thought.. maybe.. I have some money.. I could pay you if you like." He stumbled huskily, trapping me into the seat I was in and trying to force a kiss on me.

Pushing my hands against his chest I got out from underneath him and started to scream.

"Mr Keller! Stop!"

"Oh don't be afraid Alice." he sneered, pinning my up against the door, his hand going up my dress. My eyes held terror and my stomached flopped, disgusted and terrified of what he was doing.

Mr Keller wasn't an old man but he was probably in his forties. He was quite tall and in good shape for his age and I could feel his strength through his persistence.

"Stop! Please!" I cried loudly again trying to get away from him.

I felt his rough, cold hand against the skin of my abdomen. His hands were searching and I knew they wouldn't stop till they got what they wanted. Continuing to try and escape I banged on the door, sobbing for help.

"Let me go!" I yelled, kicking him straight in the stomach with all my might.

He winced with pain but it wasn't until I kicked him hard again that I got free from his grasp. As soon as my hands were free I opened the door as quickly as possible and ran out into the hallway.

The queasy feeling in my stomach made me dizzy. Spotting the nearest bathroom, I ran in, finding an empty stall and threw up, tears streaming down my cheeks. I felt dirty, disgusted and alone. Running back out into the hallways like a deer in the headlights, I searched the crowds for Cody. I needed somebody to talk to and he was the first that came to mind. Spotting him near the cafeteria, I ran up to him sobbing and mumbling words, throwing myself into his arms.

"Woah! Alice, what happened?! Are you okay!" Cody exclaimed putting his hands comfortingly around me.

He took me out to my car, sitting me in the passenger seat to calm down. After I waited awhile, I finally could form coherent words and told him everything through spurts of tears. His expression was locked with concern and surprise as I finished.

"I always knew he was a creep, that bastard!" Cody hissed angrily, his eyes blazing. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to stop that dirty son of a bitch from hurting you, I'm so sorry Alice." Cody apologized.

"I-it's okay, it's not you fault." I croaked, my voice exhausted from screaming.

"I'm taking you home Alice, you're really shaken up and it's the least I can do. Tomorrow when you're feeling better we can talk to the authorities about him okay? I'm so sorry this happened."

"Okay."

Cody drove me home in my car and tried to keep me in good spirits all the way there.

"Are you sure you're going to be alright here alone? Because I can stay if you want!"

"It's okay, I think I'll be fine. But thank you so much for being here, it really means a lot." I replied, giving Cody a big hug.

The feeling of our bodies against each gave me a wave of warmth and comfort. Coming out of the embrace I smiled into his loving, brown eyes. Unexpectedly I leaned closer to him and kissed him gently on the lips. Kissing someone who cared felt so good and I don't think anything could've stopped me. A burning desire came upon me, my hands getting tangled in his hair. I didn't want to stop kissing him, it just felt so good. But when I opened my eyes and saw mine and James' little shabby flat, I began to feel guilty as I thought of him.

Cody pulled away from me, out of my grasp. "I-I should go.. I have to walk back to the bus stop.." Cody said stuttering through his words.

"Goodbye," I blushed. "I can't thank you enough for being here for me today."

Turning away without a reply Cody disappeared around the corner. Biting my lip, I remembered the taste of his cherry red lips. After everything, he made me feel so good, so comforted.

The last thought on my mind before falling asleep that night was how lovely it would be to have Cody there with me, sharing my big lonely bed. As I slept, I couldn't help but dream of us together.