The Animal Inside

Chapter Seven: Reaction

He brought his face closer to mine, and kissed me. I was too shocked to do anything. My body instantly tensed. Suddenly, my instincts took over, and I pushed Lock away from me. He went flying across the room, landing hard on his back a few metres away. I gasped, and rushed over to him.

“Lock? Lock? Are you ok?” I gushed. He opened his eyes groggily, and his gorgeous blue eyes met mine.

“That... was... some... push,” he managed to say, his breath short. He had trouble putting a sentence together. Oh god, I gave him a concussion, I thought in horror. His eyes started to close again.

I panicked. Please don’t pass out, Lock, please! What if I had given him a serious brain injury? What if I had killed him? His breaths became longer and deeper, as if he was asleep. I thought about slapping him, but that would either do nothing, much like some of my punches from earlier, or it would break his nose. I decided to yell at him instead.

“Lock? Can you hear me?” I shouted. After a moment, Lock’s eye opened suddenly.

“Of course I can, woman. Calm down, I’m fine” Lock said, sitting up. All sense of confusion had gone from his eyes. He seemed like normal old Lock again.

“Are you sure you’re ok?”

“I’m fine. That was an amazing feat of strength.”

“Thanks... I think.” I stood up, offering Lock my hand to help him get to his feet. Even though he said he was fine, he still seemed a little unsure of himself as he stood up. He stumbled, and I stretched my hands out, placing them on his shoulders to steady him. Once I was sure he had his balance, I went to remove my hands, but Lock placed his hands on mine, holding them there.

“I’m sorry. About before I mean. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I don’t know what happened.” Lock seemed embarrassed.

Feeling awkward, I turned around and darted off to the locker room get changed into the casual clothes I had brought with me. Once changed, I sat on a bench, trying to gather my thoughts. What was I going to do?

* * * * *

When I arrived back at my dorm room, I threw my bag aside and flopped down on my bed, sighing loudly.

“What’s up?” My head snapped up. Gaia looked over at me from her desk, a worried expression on her face. I hadn’t noticed her when I came in, but I had been in my own little world.

“Oh, nothing.”

“Doesn’t sound like nothing. Nobody sighs like that without a reason.”

I walked over to her side of the room and sat down on the satin duvet that covered her bed. She turned in her chair to face me.

“If I tell you, will you promise not to tell everyone?” I asked tentatively.

“Sure. What is it?”

I took a deep breath.

“Lock kissed me.”

“WHAT?” Gaia yelled at me.

“Calm down, calm down. Jeez. It’s not that big of a deal.” I said, trying to curb Gaia’s enthusiasm. It didn’t work.

“It’s not that big of a deal? Lock kissed you! In what world is that not a big deal? What happened?” she demanded.

I relayed Gaia the events of the afternoon. She was on the edge of her seat, riveted by my every word.

“So, are you two like a thing now?” she asked when I had finished.

I thought about it. It was a very good question.

“I’m not sure. Don’t get me wrong, I like him. But I’m not sure if I like him in that way.”