Hostage

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Six years ago.

Roxi's POV

"What am I most afraid of." I echoed, stuffing my hands in both pockets of my coat. "That's a very difficult question. I'm afraid of a whole lot of things." I chuckled, and even though I didn't see his face,I felt him smile.

Him, being the stranger I'd spent hours of every single day with for the past two weeks.

From what I'd learnt,he was Will Olsen,and he was eighteen. He was currently a student of Oxford university and was only home for his fathers memorial. He had a step brother and before me, everybody else called him Liam because he hated the name William for some reason. Also,I knew he didn't like it when will and Will were used in the same sentence. He hadn't said it to me directly but I'd noticed him flinch a few times when I did.

"But-" I paused,suddenly feeling my smile fall out. "If I had to choose,I would say what I'm most afraid of is loosing those that really matter to me." I answered quietly and then turned away,pretending to gaze at something in the atmosphere. I felt him halt to look at me so I turned my face to the other side,feeling heat crawl up my cheeks.

"Have you lost a lot of people you care about, Roxi?" He asked, taking me completely off guard. I felt my feet come to a halt too,chewing on my inner lip.

"No."

He nodded and then resumed walking, urging me to follow.

"Who is your favorite person in the world?" He asked again, throwing me off guard for the second time. It wasn't supposed to be a difficult question and the sincerity in his eyes assured me that he meant no harm by it.

I swallowed and threw one of my million dollar smiles at him because I was certain that I would choke on my next words if I didn't.

"My father." I pouted,pulling my gaze away. But even then, I could still tell that he was watching me.

I didn't think he knew but he had a slight issue of not knowing when to look away.

"What about you?" I grinned, turning around fully so I was walking backwards, my body facing him instead. He scratched the back of his neck and then smiled a very boyish smile and in that moment,I couldn't help but notice the pair of adorable dimples on each side of his cheek.

"I didn't have one." He crossed his arms. "Until now." He added in a manner that was barely audible,as though he hadn't intended for me to hear it......but I did. I felt heat crawl up to my cheeks and I momentarily glanced back because I didn't know what to say.....or if I was supposed to say anything at all.

"Hey,you have to let me know if I'm walking into a pole or something,okay?" I asked, obviously trying to change the subject. Thankfully, he smiled.

"You don't have to worry about that, Roxi. I'll protect you." He grinned,causing me to chuckle.

"That's the most cliché line I've ever heard." I tucked some loose strands of hair behind my ear.

"Really?" He stopped walking, causing me to stop too. "Does I'll be your knight in shining armor sound better?" He was grinning from ear to ear at this point. I opened my mouth to say something but then I halted.

I knew the exact buttons to push.

"A knight doesn't sound so bad." I smiled,taking a step towards him. "In that case,Will Will willingly wield my shield?" I grinned satisfactorily. For a second, he stood completely still... and then he burst into laughter.

It wasn't the 'I just heard a good joke' kind of laughter. No,it was the other one. The 'I just heard a ridiculously bad joke' kind of laughter.