Scrambled

Chapter 6

I walked into the warm shop and stopped in my tracks for a few seconds. What had i gotten myself into? What if he was joking? Okay, calm down Violet. He's here so just open your eyes. I took a peek and almost tumbled over because Peter was right in my face.

"Woah, easy there." he said catching me.

I blushed a bright shade of red as he led us to our table. It was at the far corner of the shop.

"So, what can I get you?" he asked handing me a menu.

I looked at it quickly and shook my head.

"You don't want anything?" he asked looking surprised.

"Uhm, I'm not into tea."

He tipped back his head and laughed. It was utterly adorable.

"Then why did you agree to meet in a tea store?" he asked with a halfsmile and one eyebrow raised.

I shrugged trying to hide my smile.

"Why don't you like tea? I thought all teens were so hipster nowadays that tea and milktea was all the rage."

"Well, when Alice's father adopted me after Alice told him to complain about my adoptive father to Children Services, he brought us to this fortune teller who read our tea leaves and sensed 'a disturbance in our future.' Or some psychobabble. I've hated tea ever since."

"That's a shame. So why don't we just chat?" he said smirking.

"That's a great idea."

We began talking and laughing so much I felt I would pee in my pants which is quite embarrassing to admit, I suppose. But hey, i was having the time of my life. I involuntarily shivered. I easily got cold but of all the things, I forgot my jacket. He saw it though and stood up. He walked over to my side and took off his jacket. I felt time go by agonizingly slow as he draped the jacket around me. I muttered something like 'Thanks' but I couldn't concentrate and I accidentally let out a shaky, little sigh. He smiled and I just thought that this was what love felt like. I put my arms through the sleeves and set my hands on the table. I rubbed my arms to feel warmer.

"Hey, Violet?"

"Mmm?"

"You still feelin' cold? I can help." he said.

He shifted in his seat and said: "Okay, close your eyes."

"Is this necessary?" I asked but I shut them anyways.

"Just trust me," he breathed.

My heart thudded nervously. it was beating as fast as a rabbit's foot. Thud, thud, thud. Then BAM!

I felt his lips gently brush against mine. After a split second I stood up abruptly, knocking over my chair.

"I have to go," I muttered breathlessly.

I rushed out of the store and made a run for the house but I few blocks away someone grabbed my wrist and spun me around with surprising strength. I bumped into the chest of the stranger who was Peter. I tried to pull away but I was trapped in his bear hug. I looked up at him.

"Let me go," I said squirming.

"Wait," he said breathlessly, "Please don't go."

He said it so gently that i stopped squirming. I looked down.

"I don't like being touched," I murmured.

His grip loosened a bit. 

"It's not time yet," he said quietly. He tilted my head up, "Please. Stay."

I shut my eyes and he leaned down and kissed me again. I let him. It felt so good? I have no idea. I don't remember much, did I respond? I think I did. But I pulled away after a while which was way too long. 

"I'm so sorry. I have to go." and thinking better of it, I left him a short kiss near the lips so he wouldn't follow me. And thank goodness, he didn't.

Kisses, relationships, what was happening to me?

When I reached the door, something felt so wrong.