Irradiated

Chapter 29: Too Much to Take

It took me some time. It took me a hell of a really long time to figure it out. Why did I make a strange promise to a stranger in Sweden? I had a crush on her. Why did I care so much about her in Germany? She was beginning to really grow on me like a long-lost companion. Why did I do so much for her in Belgium? I liked her a lot. A lot. Why was I sitting in a jail cell with her in France? Crap, I loved her.

Her cheeks went pink. "L-love... me?" I shrugged.

"Oh, definitely. It took me a while to figure it out, but when I finally started to consider it, I couldn't deny it." I stuck my hand in my hair, resting my head against it. "I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Why are you sorry?" She asked, her voice cracking. "I love you too..." I quickly looked back up at her.

"Angeline, did you kiss your mother with that mouth?" I asked in a hurt voice.

She giggled. "I'm serious, Mathias." Her eyes softened. "You accepted me without even knowing me. I trust you with my life even if you may just be the death of me. And in all honesty, you're the cutest guy I've ever met." She laughed. "But I have my imperfections too."

"And that's what makes you perfect." I said lightly, starting to believe what she was telling me. How the heck did I go from almost hulk-smashing our cell bars to confessing my love when I hardly had any idea what love actually was anymore?

She leaned over and kissed my cheek, holding my face with one of her hands. I felt her lips make contact with my skin and the warmth quickly spread across my whole body.

"A-Angeli..." I stuttered, alarmed. Our gazes locked. "I... I actually felt that..." She looked at me with a puzzled expression at first, then her eyes widened.

"Your nervous system!" She exclaimed, a smile plastering on her face. "It's working! This is great!" She hugged me, little laughs escaping her mouth. I smiled, finally able to feel her close to me. Her warm body reached mine as I wrapped my arms across her back, returning the hug.

"Perfect timing, body." I grinned, burying my face against her hair. It tickled my nose, but I didn't mind. How could I? I then groaned suddenly, a sharp pain overtaking my shoulder.

"You okay?" She asked, concerned. She pulled away and looked at me with an expression that matched her voice.

"Don't worry. When I fell, I hurt my shoulder. The pain's starting to kick in." I held my breath as I noticed how close she was to me. I could see the dark blue lining of her irises looking back at me. Her eyelashes matched her auburn hair color, signifying that this was her completely natural hair color. It was simply breath-taking, nothing less than beautiful.

My thoughts were interrupted by her voice.

"Sorry," She apologized sheepishly. "I wouldn't have made you fall if I could've avoided it. They treat us like bags of garbage..." She grumbled her last sentence.

I reached my hand towards her cheek and slowly ran the pad of my thumb across it. "That doesn't matter. We will get out of here, even if my life depends on it."

She gave me a cocky smirk. "And where's this sudden determination coming from?"

"When did I not have it?" I questioned in return, raising a brown eyebrow.

"Touché, American. Touché." She stood up, leaving me sitting on the ground. I stood as well, but remained leaning against the wall.

"Actually, I'm partially Australian from my dad's side. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!" I chanted quietly. Angeli shook her head with a grin as she reached the bars and began to inspect the key hole.