Fighting Back

Chapter 8

I know it's been a longggg time since I updated. But, here it is!
Read the previous chapter if you have to walk down the memory  lane.
Happy reading!

                           ♡♡♡♡

Matt's P.O.V~

"One hot chocolate and a coffee", the waiter said as he placed them in front of us.

Stephanie kindly thanked him before grabbing her cup. She placed the mouth of the cup against her lips and cautiously took a small sip of her coffee. She looked so content and a small smile lingered while she looked outside the window. The smile turned into an adorable frown, with her bottom lip protruding out when her glasses were misted as she tried to take another sip.

She put the cup away and tried to remove her glasses, only to find it knotted in a strand of hair. She huffed in annoyance as she tried to entangle the knot, only to make it even messier.

"Here, let me help you", I chuckled as I leaned towards her to fix the problem.
I ignored her stiffness when my hand touched her hair. It looked quite simple and within seconds, her glasses were free to go.

"Thank you", she said.

"No problem", I replied.

I felt extremely guilty for hurting her. I thought it would be funny to see her react that way, but damn was I wrong. Instead, the unusual feel of guilt seeped in me.

"We're too silent. Kind of getting awkward, don't you think?", I asked and instantly regretted it.

"I love the silence. Not awkward at all", she replied not sparing me a glance as she continued looking outside the window.

Well, that wasn't weird at all.

"People talk during dates, you know?", I said.

The least she could do is look at me.

"Date? I thought this was just an apology", she asked as she looked at me confused. She is even more naive than she looks.

"Uh, did I wrongly assume it to be a date?", I asked.

"I thought you don't do dates", she replied. "I assumed you skip the date part", motioning her hand elevated upwards, "directly jump to making out and then proceed from there", she said with a clipped smile.

"Well, I don't always do that. I could make some exceptions", I said winking.

She rolled her eyes.

"How's that nose by the way? I've done a pretty good job at it", she asked smirking.

She can be a devil sometimes.

"I patched it up. It'll look hot as before in a few days", I replied.

"I didn't know a nose can be hot?", she said and burst into laughter.

"Darling, everything about me is hot", I said as I moved closer to her. She seemed to realize the change in atmosphere and immediately pulled back and cleared her throat.

"So what do you love doing, apart from anything that deals with books", I asked changing the topic.

She chuckled and placed the now empty coffee cup before replying.

"Well, I swim", she replied.

"We could go swimming together sometime", I wriggled my eyebrows suggestively to which she just smiled.

How does she not understand my flirting? Every dismissal of hers is like a stab on my chest.

"I really am sorry though, for the prank I pulled up. I didn't expect you to take it that serious", I apologized.

"If you are done with the hot chocolate, can we leave?", she asked as she slung her bag on her shoulder.

I looked back at my cup, just half empty. It was very clear she wanted to leave, so I half-heartedly left the steaming, tasty hot chocolate and grabbed my keys.

                           •••••••••

"We've reached your destination, Ms. Summers", I said when I came to a hault in front of her house.

There was no response from her. Her arms were wrapped around my torso and her head rested against my back. When I removed my helmet and listened carefully, I could hear soft snores.

Who even sleeps in a motorcycle ride?

I couldn't control my body rumbling with laughter, which woke her up. She had a little drool on the side of her mouth and her confused, sleep dazed eyes looked around to figure out where she was.

"I'm home?", she asked and she looked so adorable.

"Yes, you are. Not a lost puppy anymore", I said with a small smile.

She got down from the motorcycle and placed the helmet on the seat.

"I had a wonderful time", I told her.

"Me too. I'll see you at school tomorrow", she said and walked towards me.

"There is little something on your-", I said as my hand went to wipe away the drool. I wonder why I wasn't disgusted doing that.

Her cheeks reddened with embarassment.

"I didn't realize I fell asleep. I was exhausted after all the drama and crying and-", she ranted off.

"You don't have to explain yourself", I told her. I didn't realize my hands had cupped her face and our eyes had locked. Her hands were nervously fidgeting while she held the eye contact. The redness on her cheeks hadn't come down.

"See you tomorrow", I said not letting her go just yet.

"Yeah..see you", she replied which I could barely hear, not taking a step back.

She closed her eyes trying to get a control over her eratic breathing and I couldn't stop myself from leaning forward.

"Is it okay if I-"

Her lips brushed mine lightly and I was taken by surprise. Here I was, thinking I have to make the first move.

She froze against my lips and started to pull back. I pulled her back to me and deepened the kiss. Our lips moved in synchrony, my hands tangled in her hair and her hands locked behind my neck. We finally had to pull away to catch our breaths and I rested my forehead against hers.

She sucked in a deep breath and finally opened her eyes and looked at me.

"See you tomorrow, Steph", I said breathlessly.

"Drive safe", she said before she turned around and walked towards her front door.

I couldn't stop smiling like crazy and waited until she reached the door. She looked back at me and smiled shyly before unlocking the door.

Tomorrow is going to be exciting.