Life One Summer [On Hold]

Chapter 13

Later that evening I was flopped on my bed thinking about the day's events. I knew that I needed to talk to Travis, and after another hour of telling myself that, I was suddenly outside his door.

Knocking quietly, I heard a shuffle. "Yeah?"

I opened the door slipping into the room and shutting the door, I really didn't want Alice to hear this conversation. "Hey." I said, coming to stand in front of his bed.

Finally after a full half-day of ignoring me he looked at me, "Hi."

I began to sit down on the end of his bed but thought better of it and walked around his room, which I was seeing properly for the first time. There were posters of extreme sports and a few photographs scattered around. Some trophy's stood on a shelf, amongst books and other small items. It was nice. "We, um, we need to talk about earlier." I said finally gaining the courage.

He nodded, and a small smile formed on his face confusing the hell out of me, "Yeah we do."

Taking a deep breath I started, "Travis, I..."

"Wait." He interrupted. Standing up from his bed he came over to me. "Aria, you were right earlier, what I did, it wasn't fair on you. I shouldn't have put you in that position."

I frowned still confused, "It's not all your fault."

He grabbed one of my hands and I felt the spark travel from him up my arm, "Yeah it kind of is. You just broke up with your boyfriend because he was cheating on you, and then I went and tried to make you 'that girl' in my own relationship. I get why you did what you did."

Looking up at him I could see an eagerness in his eyes, my heart fell even further as I realised what he was about to do.

"So I'm going to do it Aria. I'm going to break up with Casey."

"No." I whispered, inaudibly.

A smile encompassed his face as he brought a hand up to the nape of my neck and crashed his lips down onto mine.

The world went still.

The shock and sheer adrenaline of the moment rushed me off my feet and I felt myself deepen the kiss. I felt his hand trail up my back and I ran my fingers across his chest, the intoxicating scent of his skin drawing me in.

But almost as soon as it had begun, the harsh cold of reality bit into me and I pushed as hard as I could. The connection was broken.

Travis frowned, "What...what's wrong?"

I felt the tears brimming as I looked in his gorgeous eyes about to do the worst thing imaginable. "I'm so sorry."

He still didn't understand.

"Travis. I can't do this." I said my voice cracking slightly.

Staring at me confused and hurt, his shoulders dropped, "I."

It was finally time to be truthful. "If you want to break up with Casey, don't break up with her because of me. Travis, I care about you, I do. You've been so good to me ever since I got here. But I just..." I was about to give him the reason. Alice was a really good friend to me and I never wanted to betray her like I'd just done. But that didn't seem right. I couldn't blame Alice for this, especially if Travis thought that it was her problem that was the only thing in the way. They were family, and though I didn't understand it I had to try and protect it.

"You just what, Aria?" Travis asked, a dark tone echoing through his words.

Taking one last look at him I spoke, "I just don't like you in that way."