Like falling off a cliff.

Chapter Two

James

My mom left for work moments after our brief introduction and I took the chance to peel off the layer of secrecy that acted as a barrier around her, protecting her; from boys like me. Boys that would instantly be attracted to her beauty and act as a book worm to find out every ounce of detail there is to know about her.

I had to stop, but I couldn't. I stepped closer to her and curved the corners of my lips into my signature smile; she turned bright red.

"You don't have to be shy, I won't bite" I reassured her, my words coated with a layer of sarcasm.

Bella pouted and crossed her arms whilst taking a step back and looking at me from head to toe, as if she was sizing me.

"There's nothing to be shy about" she replied, her voice humming with confidence. I smirked, coming to the realisation that I might be wrong about the whole 'shy girl' act.

I backed away slowly, looking directly into her emerald eyes, trying not to break the chain that had locked our eyes into place. This time, it was her turn to smirk, followed by a soft laugh; before she turned around and walked into the kitchen.

Ashley ran past me following Bella into the kitchen.

"I'm hungry!" she whined. This should be good.

I stood leaning on the kitchen door and ran my hands through my hair, smirking at Bella. She instantly rolled her eyes when she noticed my presence.

"What would you like to eat, sweety?" Bella's tone changed, transforming her back into the innocent, shy girl I thought she was.

"Pizza!" Ashley's shrieked; I rubbed my ears to emit the sound back in.

Bella turned to face me, "do you have any pizza in the deep freezer?"

"You're the babysitter, go check!" I walked away leaving her stunned.

"Jerk" I heard her mutter.

I knew she'd come back and ask for help, I knew she wouldn't last very long with Ashley. Just the thought of succeeding made a grin wash over my face, complimenting my already smug attitude and completing the look.

I sat on the couch and waited.

5 minutes..

10 minutes..

30 minutes..

Where was she?

I reassured myself by thinking that she and Ashley may have had a slip up and a little argument which is why she hadn't came looking for me yet; she was busy trying to calm Ashley down. I tried reasurring myself.

After almost 45 minutes of waiting, I could finally feel the annoyance flowing through my veins.

I speed walked towards the kitchen, only to find Ashley and Bella laughing, eating and talking.

"Thanks for telling me the food was ready" my voice sounded venemous.

"Well, I clearly remember your mom telling me that I was Ashley's babysitter, not yours; so make your own damn food!"

"You know, you can't act like you hate me forever, I know you're dying for people to know you as my friend"

"Erm, excuse me? I don't need to be known as the title of 'James Prince's friend', I have a name sweety and I sure as hell don't want to be your friend" Bella snapped, her hands curling into fists.

"Yeah, well, we'll see who comes running first"

* * * * *

All evening she ignored me. Even when I walked straight past her, straight past her view, she didn't blink an eye.

If she wants to play games then I'll bring out the cards; but she needs to remember that you need at least two players to make it work, or else, you fail and Bella, you will fail.

* * * * *

Bella

I felt like I was suffocating; the room seemed like it was getting smaller and smaller. I've never been claustrophobic, but, the symptoms were starting to kick in.

He was so close, inches away from my face.

"Why don't you just drop the act?" he whispered.

I tried convincing myself that there wasn't an act and that I genuinly didn't like James because of his ego and rudeness but the thoughts kept escaping my mind.

Did I find it funny to string him along? Did I find it funny when he got mad?

I tried to escape from his grasp but his hands were firmly tight around my wrists and his body was sandwiched against mine, sending shivers down my spine.

"Why don't you just admit that you're playing a game with me?" again, he whispered.

"How do you even know there's a game worth playing?" I smirked and pushed past him. He let me slide out of his firm hold without hesitation.

Was this a sign of defeat?

I finally thought I was a safe distance away from him but I was wrong. His hand clasped around my wrist again and my head turned to face a grinning James.

"I know you would love to play games with me. Face it, babe, you can't fool me"

"Firstly, don't call me babe, and, secondly, why don't you find someone who'll actually flirt back with you instead of making me feel the need to throw up?"

James stood there for a while and didn't say anything; as if he was digesting everything I had just said to him and he was mentally trying to rebuild his ego.

He just looked at me for a while and then slowly a smirk crept onto his face. Without dishing out a comeback, he turned around and ran up the stairs and never came back down.

This time it was my turn to try and grab his attention, but, everything I tried to do seemed to be failing me. I exaggerated every movement I made; every step and every touch was so forced to make as much noise as possible that it almost hurt. The ache for attention physically hurt.

Was this some sort of sign?

My thoughts were suddenly distracted by a loud knock on the door. I quickly walked out of the empty kitchen to see who was masked by the oak door but instead I was met by a melody of footsteps running down the stairs, pushing me aside whilst he opened the door, revealing a tall, blonde girl; her figure so thin, she could pass off as a real life Barbie doll.

James didn't wait a minute before he lifted her up so her legs wrapped around his waist with such ease, like they had done it so many times before that it had been perfected.

Then came the bit that caused my jaw to hit the floor, almost creating a crack in the awkward atmosphere; he kissed her.