Flaws

Chapter 4-Calm yourself Liv

Chapter 4-Calm yourself Liv

I gazed into his angular handsome face for one moment before pulling away from the strong embrace. I could feel his eyes on my face, feel the burning heat of it.

"Sorry Chris you took me by surprise" I apologised. The corners of his mouth twitched and his eyes smouldered me. Despite myself, my heart began thumping against my ribcage. Calm yourself Liv.

"Don't worry about it Liv. Are you alright though?" He asked with his usual dazzling smile.

"Fine" I smiled wryly. There was an awareness in his eyes that had never been there before when he looked at me. Before he was friendly and warm, but somehow aloof. Like he would happily talk to me, but would abandon me for any better offer.

"Well that was weird" Sara said as we walked away from him.

"Yeah it really was wasn't it? I'm not just imagining it" I replied.

"The way he looked at you...well it was like he" she drifted off as she lost confidence in what she was saying and I jumped on it:

"What?" I urged.

"It doesn't matter. It's just me being silly" She said and though I was dying of curiosity as to her opinion I supposed she would give it to me another time.

"Don't tell Lana about this. She'll just think I'm going backwards" I said and Sara held up her little finger jokingly:

"Pinky promise?" She whispered and I placed my finger against hers with a laugh.

"Yes. Pinky promise" I sighed.

.....................................................

The rain came erratically at first, just a drop here and there. But when Spencer and I stepped outside to walk home the heavens seemed to open, drops hit us like tiny bullets soaking into our clothes.

"Run Liv!" Spencer cried, grabbing my hand and pulling me along.

"I'm trying!" I shout back, squinting as the rain hits my eyes. Truly it is a struggle, my short legs are tiny in comparison to his long muscular ones.

He let's go of my hand and runs ahead of me and calls over his shoulder:

"Hurry up slow coach!" I grunt and exert more effort. Still I cannot catch up with him and just when I think I will run out of juice he stops midrun, catching me by surprise. I knock him flat against the pavement, and he gives a groan of pain.

"Jesus Liv" he curses and I'm about to retort before I recognise the feel of his body against mine, how his lithe muscles are soft and yet unyielding, how it gives off a heat that is like fire. Then I notice he is looking at me too, an intense penetrative look and blood rushes to my cheeks as I see how close we are. I push up off the ground and stand up.

"Little help?" Spencer wheezed, bringing me out of my reverie abruptly. I laugh and offer him my hand to pull him up, he takes it and I feel a flash of something before I retrieve my hand :

"Whoops butter fingers" I teased and Spencer flashes me a look of mischief:

"You're going to regret that!" He exclaimed, jumping from the ground and making a grab for me. I turn on my heel and run, knowing I am close to my house, but I can feel his approach behind me.

I laugh like I haven't in a long time, and the melodious sound is music to my ears. I remember only one boy had used to be able to make me laugh like that, but no longer.

I run into my driveway as Spencer catches up to me, grabbing me by the waist and throwing me in the air. I struggle against his arms, which though thin, hold me securely in his embrace. I feel his hot breath next to my ear, tickling me.