The Undercover Bad Boy

Chapter Twelve - Just Friends

Chapter Twelve - Just Friends

I shoved my house key into the lock. Because it was rusted and old, I had to jiggle it around until I heard the familiar sound of the lock clicking open. I was very aware of Zach’s uneasy presence behind me. I insisted that he come inside and get cleaned up.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” he enquired for the millionth time.

“Yes, Zach, now shut up,” I assured him, swinging the door open.

He snorted. “Aren’t you lovely?”

“I know I’m amazing,” I replied, sarcasm dripping from each word I said.

 I motioned for him to follow me into the bathroom, where my family kept some of the basic medical supplies, like bandages, pain killers and disinfectant. I grabbed a few things and made him sit down on the kitchen worktop.

I switched on the radio that sat next to the kettle. Eighties music filled the room, the type my mother enjoyed listening to while she was cooking. I soaked a piece of cotton wool in disinfectant.

“This isn’t necessary,” he said, swinging his feet on the counter like a little kid.

I ignored him and proceeded to lift his chin up with my index finger and observed his wounds. There wasn’t anything serious, just a few cuts and bruises here and there, his cheek was swelling slightly. I dabbed the cotton wool onto his skin carefully, trying clean them up a little bit.

He was playing with a strand of my hair, examining it with an inquisitive expression.

It didn’t feel weird being this close to him. It felt natural.

He had abandoned his glasses on the table and his hair was even more dishevelled than usual. I noticed that his black denim jeans were all ripped and almost torn to shreds around the knees. I couldn’t tell if they were meant to be like that, or happened during the fight he had gotten himself in. “I swear you wear skinnier jeans than I do,” I stated.

“Skinny jeans and leather jackets. It’s all part of the look, darling,” he winked, readjusting his dark hair.

“All part of the look,” I repeated, amused.

“That’s right, Hale, don’t you forget it.”

“The best thing for your cut lip is-”

“A kiss?” He broke in, smirking like a madman.

I cleared my throat and sent him a half-hearted annoyed look. I felt my heartbeat accelerate inside of my chest, I could feel the blood pumping through my veins wildly; the idea of having his lips against mine had consumed my thoughts.

Alex, get a hobby. Now.