Trapped

Popcorn

Zoe’s POV

“Zoe!”

The voice sounded all too familiar, but a little part of me wanted to believe it wasn’t who I thought it was. We both just stood there, waiting for the other to make a move. Finally, I decided to break the silence, but not in an uplifting way. “I’m sorry, umm I’ll leave,” I turned around to go back to Louise, but the guy grabbed my arm and turned me around to face him.

My worry was then confirmed as he stepped under the light to reveal himself. “Zoe, let me explain.”

“Alfie, I thought you said you didn’t smoke! Why did you lie to me?”

He sighed, but it wasn’t because he was sorry, it seemed more of annoyance. We were alone, Alfie and I, in the back behind the building. There was only a small light that shined on both of us, yet it was still dark. I tried to examine Alfie’s face for any sign of worry or regret or sorry, but his face remained straight with no emotions. He had both my arms in his grip, making sure I wouldn’t be able to leave.

“I know I said I didn’t smoke, but as you clearly saw, I do. I can’t help the addiction, little one. It feels good to just have the smoke in you; it clears my head of things. Besides, I can’t tell a young, beautiful, sexy girl I just met that I smoke! No way! I would never get dates that way! Noooo. See, I don’t want to turn you off right when I meet you! Where’s the fun in that? If I told you I smoke, then we would have never danced and never talked and have our little confession session over there.” He pointed to where we were sitting and laughing just moments ago. “I wanted to meet you and get to know you, but we couldn’t let a small little cigarette get in the way, now could we?”

He smirked at me, his eyes resting on my lips. I was a bit confused, but I couldn’t help but smile back at him. His argument was so sly and cunning, I almost let it go. However, I still had questions running through my head, and I was still trying to get over the fact that he lied to me, regardless of his intentions. “That’s sweet Alf, but I don’t think lying to me is the way to go. That’s just as bad.”

I tried to scold at him, but that stupid smirk would not leave his face. I caught my lips beginning to curl, but I forced them to remain stiff and commanding. His hands slid down my arms until my hands were cupped in his warm, large ones. The touch of his warm hands on my icy skin sent chills throughout my body, leaving a tingly feeling inside of me. He pulled my arms up to his chest as he looked into my eyes. I couldn’t read his expression; the dim light didn’t allow me to, but his charming voice was enough find me reassurance.

“I am sorry for lying to you. I probably shouldn’t have done that.”

I rolled my eyes and look away, “Yeah, you shouldn’t have.”

He abandoned one of my hands only to bring my head back to face him. He cupped my chin and tilted my head upwards so our eyes would meet again. “I promise to never lie to you again. I simply can’t just let you get away from me so easily, little one. No, I can’t, so then, as our beloved Harry Potter once said, ‘I must not tell lies’.”

I giggled at his reference, remembering our little conversation over our love for that book. “It was engraved on his arm, Alfie!”

“Oh, well you still get the point,” he chuckled at his mistake and the air became friendly and less dense.

“Umm, Alfie, since we’re not, well you’re not, lying anymore, you don’t drink or do drugs or any of that right? Was that part true, or was it all lies?”

Suddenly, the relief in the room disappeared, bringing back the serious tension. Alfie quit laughing, but that smirk of his never went away.

He walked closer to me, his hands still holding mine, and spoke softly, “I might smoke, but I’m not that guy. I absolutely hate drinking. My old friend was a drunk, and now he’s in jail for manslaughter, a car accident. I would never do that. I can’t bring pain to those I love all because of a stupid decision.” His face was masked with a simple smile as he moved his thumb along my hairline, pushing some of the free strands out of my face.