Game of Sinners

Chapter Seven - Fire

"There's an opposite to déjà vu. They call it jamais vu. It's when you meet the same people or visit places, again and again, but each time is the first. Everybody is always a stranger. Nothing is ever familiar."
― Chuck Palahniuk, Choke

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Frank and I were quiet driving through the familiar corn fields. The tension between us still simmered in the silent car but I wasn't concentrating on it at all; my mind was elsewhere entirely.

Taylor had kissed me.

And I had kissed him back.

My hand absentmindedly brushed my still buzzing lips, the scene replaying in my mind over and over with each time becoming more perfect and more magical. I didn't expected the kiss at all to be honest. I hadn't even considered he liked me like that.

When his lips first met mine, I froze. I didn't want to kiss Taylor, at least I thought I didn't when I saw his head leaning down to mine in the parking lot.

But then I saw his blazing eyes; full of one message that I read loud and clear, trust me. I felt the gentleness behind his strong arms that encircled my body, the comforting heat of his chest coming off in waves to warm my chilled skin, everything about him lulled me to relax and forget about everything else, and so I did.

The way I felt about him was something that I couldn't explain. It was like being surrounded by hundreds of tea lights, each flicking a soft yellow that bathed me in comfort and warmth like nothing I had ever experienced.

I didn't know whether this would change our friendship in a positive or negative way, but I hoped everything would work out okay between us. I mean, I wanted everything to work out between us, even if I saw his eyes swirl green for a split second when he held my hand.

It scared me how the colour suddenly appeared in a flash on Taylor's face. It was the same intense look Leo gave me when he was telling me about his own fairy tale, something I never wanted to see again from anyone; especially not from Taylor.

I shoved those eyes and the encounter with him out of my mind. I was never going to see Leo again and that was the end of that. I vowed never to call at the address written on the piece of paper, even if my life depended on it.

"Alex, I just want to apologise for my past actions." Frank began softly, breaking the silence between us and sending surprise through me. "Looking back on it now, I was too harsh on you. I blamed you for something that was entirely out of your control and even punished you for it. That was very wrong of me to do so Alex."

"I just wanted you to be safe above anything else, that's all I wanted. But I'm afraid that desire clouded my judgement as to how I see you as a person; not only a strong loving girl who wouldn't wish harm on anyone, but someone who I consider my own daughter. You don't have to forgive me immediately however just know that I regret my actions to you every single day." He finished, somehow quieter than he started looking straight ahead at the road.

For a few moments I didn't know what to say. Realising I needed to say something to stop Frank's form sinking any lower, I forced my mouth to communicate the emotions churning up inside of me.

"I forgive you Frank. I understand that you had my best interests at heart, even if you were a little harsh." I saw his whole body relax at my words and Frank glanced over to me, his glowing silver eyes only visible in the darkness.

"I too apologise for not sticking to your rules for that night. The whole incident could have been avoided if I simply stayed with Taylor and not dunk anything."