Damned If I Do Ya, Damned If I Don't

Chapter Seven

I knock lightly on Phil's door. He opens it, dressed in a white button-up shirt that’s almost too small for him.

“Trying to impress me?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Not at all," he chuckles, bowing me in. His house is small, the living room mostly taken up by a horrific white leather sofa. Seeing nowhere else to sit, I slowly lower myself onto it.

“Is this sofa even allowed?”

He glances at me and chuckles. “I was able to get it for cheap"

He turns on Plug In Baby by Muse and sits down next to me.

“Once you get used to it, it's quite comfy.”

I roll my eyes and smile, everything still feels kind of awkward. Everyone’s house has a certain smell, but his smells like dryer sheets.

“This song is booring,” I say, getting up and switching it to A Party Song by All Time Low. I don't sit back down, instead I make Phil dance with me. I know I’m not the best dancer, but Phil has to have at least three left feet.

After a few songs, I fall onto the sofa, out of breath. Phil falls right beside me.

He starts towards me, as if to touch me…  I move away a little.

"Oh c'mon," he wines, and tries to pull me back, closer to him. I don't want to seem catty… But I resist. I don't want to get...touched. I finally give in and let him pull me onto his lap. He smiles and find myself looking into his eyes. I can feel myself blushing, and I know I shouldn’t be.

“Katie… Is this too much?”

"N-no..."

I'm not totally sure how I feel… Phil and I are friends…

He smiles, and before I know what's happening...

He leans in and kisses my cheek. His lips are light, and soft on my delicate skin.

I started to giggle, but I cut myself off.

“What?” he asks, pushing me lightly.

“I just wasn't expecting that…” I say, and I sit up and kiss him again…

Maybe I do like Phil…

***

I wipe my sweaty palms on my dark skinny jeans. I take a deep breath and push some strands hair out of my face, and continue to stare at my notes.

“Please don’t call our group…”

"Jessica, Becky, Kate, and Jacob, why don’t you present first?" the professor insists, smiling.

I stand up and walk towards the front of the classroom, my group trailing behind. I can feel the eyes, watching my every move.

“Maybe they can do the talking…”

Once at the front of the classroom, I turn and face my peers. Most of them have looks of utter boredom on their faces, and one girl seems to be asleep. I glance towards Phil, but he’s drifting off too… I thought he’d at least pay attention. Then out of the corner of my eye, I spot Dan. His wide smile gives me the courage to begin.

“Cats have been around for ages, in Egyptian times they were worshipped…”