The Hidden Sun

Chapter XV

 When I was finished running, I found myself at the school. It was then that I realized I had no way of finding Jessie. Having no idea what time it was, I sat down in front of the gym doors and tried to think about my options.

I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew someone was shaking my shoulder. Only half awake, my arm flew out and tried to hit them. Coming up empty, I laid my head against the wall and tried to fall back asleep.

Not even three seconds later I was flying through the air. I immediately put one hand on my racing heart as the other grabbed for anything solid to keep me from falling. I found that my fingers tangled themselves into something soft and warm. It took me a moment to realize it was the back of someone's head and I was probably causing them pain. Slowly, I released my grip and grabbed their shirt instead.

"Put me down," I half demanded; although my voice didn't sound convincing at all. I was too tired to fight.

When I didn't receive a response, I looked up and tried to identify my kidnapper. All my eyes focused on was the sharpness of a male jawline. While it wasn't a bad view, it didn't help me with the problem at hand.

Suddenly he looked down at me and I was gazing into Chris' emerald eyes. His features looked calm and serious, but I could hear his heart pounding just as fast as mine. I bit the inside of my cheek and turned my head away as I realized I was staring. This was so awkward.

I shifted a little to see if he would give up, but Chris just held me tighter and started up the stairs to his office. This went on the whole way until he finally set me down and closed the door. The room suddenly seemed crowded.

He walked over to his desk and set down a cup of coffee. I briefly wondered how he carried it with me in his arms. It seemed fresh too. It made my mouth water just thinking about it. I hadn't had a proper cup in a couple of weeks. Not since we had moved into the woods.

In that moment I looked up and realized he was in the middle of asking me something.

"W-what?" I asked. I know, so clever.

"What are you doing here?" He asked again. I could tell he was slightly annoyed. Probably about having to repeat himself.

"I have a meet," I replied nonchalantly.

I watched as he visibly took a deep breath. "What are you doing here so early?" He finally asked. He was definitely annoyed.

"Well.. Jessie had an early morning... so she had to drop me off." This is why I don't lie.

"Uh huh," he replied- clearly not convinced. "Ok, so why didn't you drive yourself?"

"Um.. Well... my car is in the shop. There was something wrong with the brakes I think." I paused trying not to think about how dumb I sounded. "I'm not really good with cars," I explained. I knew I needed to change the subject so he would stop asking questions. The only problem was how.

"Why are you here so early?" I finally asked.

I could see him fidget in his spot before he answered.

"Paperwork." He couldn't even look me in the eyes. I failed to keep the smug smile off my face. At least I wasn't the only one lying.

While silence filled the room he picked up his coffee and took a sip while I tried not to be obvious about eyeing it. It looked so good!

"You know, it's really not nice to stare," he taunted. "Do you want some?" He asked it with a smirk on his face. That should have been my first clue.