Freedom -On Hold

Freedom Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

Natalie pounded her fists down on the lunch table. "I can't believe you! Going to Cynthia's party and then avoiding Tyler's kiss?"

I rolled my eyes. "You make a big deal out of everything,"

"And you roll your eyes way too much,"

I fought my instincts to not do it again.

I, too, can still not believe that I told Natalie about what happed with Tyler. I knew she'd just over react and make a mountain out of a mole hill, but she was one of the only people I could talk to about it.

Natalie stood up and walked away from our lunch table.

"What? Where are you going?" I yelled after her, confused.

"I'm shunning you until you kiss him!" She yelled back, over her shoulder.

I couldn't help scowling. Natalie abandoned me so I could spend time with Tyler. I wasn't sure if I should have been thrilled or offended.

As if on cue, Tyler sat down in front of me.

"Hey," He smiled shyly.

"Hey," I felt my cheeks warm a bit, so I looked down at my food tray.

He must have noticed me looking down because he reached over and touched my hand.

His actions only made me blush even more so I hunched my shoulders and hid my face behind my hair.

"You look like a turtle," He remarked, laughing a bit.

I giggled, but didn't change my position. I heard him stand and I knew he had moved next to me when I felt his hand reach through my hair to touch my chin.

"Shy all of a sudden?" His thumb caressed my chin gently.

I didn't know what to say.

"Hmmm?" He leaned awfully close to me, but I knew he wouldn't kiss me here, in the cafeteria.

I could only see the glimmer from his eyes through my hair. He reached over and moved my hair out of my face.

He grinned. "Now I can actually see you,"

My lips turned upwards and before I knew it I was giggling.

But what started out as a giggle turned into an endless stream of mad laughter. People for other tables turned to me staring.

He was laughing, too, in a matter of seconds. I felt like the whole cafeteria was staring at us, but we didn't care.

I laughed so hard I felt a six-pack coming on and I almost fell over. He grabbed my shoulder to help me steady myself.

After a few more minutes of laughing, we finally settled down. He took my hand and pulled me closer to him.

"I love your laugh," He smiled. "It's contagious,"

I smiled, too. "So is yours,"

I could tell by the look in his eyes he was trying so hard not to kiss me. His eyes kept wandering down to my lips, but he would always force them back up to look me in the eyes. He looked so nervous and unsure.

"I'm trying to think of something witty and smart to say to get you to laugh again," He smiled shyly.

I laughed and his smile widened. This was a side of Tyler I hadn't seen before: the shy, awkward Tyler. Of course, I thought it was completely adorable.

The bell rang and he let go of me slowly, as if he really didn't want to but he had to.

He touched my neck. "Can we meet up after school?"