Run Away With Me

Chapter 3: Everybody has something to hide.

You know, I've never been the best conversationalist, I try, but I'm not. For me, it takes no more than five minutes for the conversation to die and become awkward, but that also depends on the person I'm talking to.

If you're a person I need something from, I can talk you to death, otherwise, bitch bye.

With Nao, there's no question of trying. It's either you shut up or get smothered with silence. And it does not help that we're currently walking. If we were in a car, whisking by a scenery, the silence wouldn't be so sickening.

"So Nao, what's you favorite color?" My answer is the woods' silence and the wind's whisper. I suck my lips into my mouth, completely thrown out of my comfort zone.

When you think you finally have someone to talk to.

I stare at the ground, thinking up another conversation starter. "Are you thirsty? Want some juice?" I take out the bottle of beverage out of my bag, shaking it in front of his face. He gives me a side glance before turning back. I frown, crossing my hands across my chest.

Then be like that, you mute, deaf, and emotionless prick!

I can't let him be like that!

I want to socialize, I want to talk, I want something! I'm a werewolf for goodness' sake and on top of that, a rogue. Nobody wants to hang out with me full-time, the only reason why Nao is doing so is because he needs something from me and doesn't know my ailment, but when he does figure it out, bye bye. So I want to at least make the best out this arrangement.

I glance at him, then at his hands that are swaying by his side. A bulb lights itself up above my head and I take his hand. He turns his head towards me and jerks my hand out of his.

He reacted! That's the most I got out of him since we started walking. Lord, thank you.

I grab his hand again and lock our fingers together. He in turn shakes his arm like crazy, trying to get this bug off of him, but I'm relentless. Moments later I find myself on the ground, giggling, but my hand still in his.

"Let go," he mutters, his eyes shadowed from my perspective.

"Then stop ignoring me." I lay my head on the hard ground, ready to remain here until he agrees to my command.

"I'm not ignoring you." I give him a dead look.

"Ignore, verb, refusal to acknowledge or take notice of, disregard intentionally," I site, "Nao, that's exactly what you're doing."

"I hear what you say." He crouches down and slips his free arm around my waist. It doesn't take much for him to have me on my feet.

"Then reply."

I wait for him to say something, since he appears as if he's about to do just that. "I don't want to." Oh, a case of I-don't-like-using-my-mouth-or-vocal-cords-titis. Usually I appreciate people who go the extra mile to do this, but not this time.

"Do you not like talking?" He nods. "Do you find me annoying?" He shakes his head. "Do you have a serious problem with me holding your hand?" This is a legit question. I was once nearly killed when I bumped into a supernatural who despised the very thought of someone touching him. Nao shakes his head again.

"So this is my compromise." At this point of time, I'm ready to search for contact with a bull. "I won't bother you with talking, so then I'll hold your hand."

He doesn't refuse and I beam as we finalize our agreement. The scatter of freckles on his cheeks holds my attention before I find my eyes on his neck, then his shoulder, then... I forgot he's naked.