Time After Time

Chapter 14: Love on the Brain

'Go on, tell him you love him,' the thoughts swirled in Lauren's mind in a frenzy, the world spinning faster than usual as her legs felt like giving way. The silence between them was enough while they strolled through Central Park in the dark, the light posts barely giving them a visual of the pavement. The six shots of whiskey didn't help her vision either. She realized she probably made a complete fool out of herself back there, going back to the bar after her run-in with Jason and Megan.

Seeing them together brought back unwanted emotions she had stored away for a long time, feelings she vowed and promised she would never feel ever again. It wasn't like she was still in love with him, though she was positive that it appeared that way, at least to John. The way their eyes and pity laid on Lauren made her feel like a fool, stupid for believing their lies and putting all her trust in them. How could she sit there and see all the signs of the affair but make excuses for them? She cursed at herself in her mind, wishing she could take back the past five years.

Then there was John, who walked close beside her, his hand firmly intertwined with hers with a hidden smile on his face. Regardless of the silence, things didn't seem awkward between them. She remembered he had his fair share of drinks, not entirely as much as Lauren, but his company was the perfect thing she felt she needed at this moment. It was quite some time since she drank this much alcohol and wasn't confident about how her body was going to handle the rest of the night. Lauren was barely able to walk, let alone think or make conversation at this point. At least she was somewhat comprehending the thoughts in her mind. It made her feel at least-

"Alright then?" The voice startled her, and she whirled her head to the right as John finished her thoughts. He stood quite near, his brown eyes wrinkling into his smile, "For a beautiful night, it's quite a view, don't ya think?"

The truth was, he watched her all night. The way she clumsily moved throughout the crowds of people, the way she carried herself - before and even after the Jason fiasco; her outfit, her hair - she was perfect. He liked the idea of having something or preferably someone to hold on to. John's eyes drank in her every move and made sure to concentrate at times to keep his body from overreacting and betraying his thoughts. He knew he wanted her but just wasn't sure how much until he felt her hand freely slip into his as if she was holding his hand for dear life. In the subtle nighttime glow, he could see the softness of her flawless skin and smell her perfume waiting in the air around him - and it nearly made him weak with wild desire.

"I never realized how far my place was from that bar," she slurred, furrowing her brow, "I'm sorry you have to help drag my sorry ass home."

He lightly chuckled, positioning an arm around her shoulder in comfort, "We're almost there. I've quite enjoyed it, mind you."

"I'm sure you have," she rolled her eyes and laughed, snuggling him a little closer, "You should have stopped me after two."

His eyes had a softness to them, and there was something so welcoming in those rich browns. John felt a little more lost and a little more at home each time they were together, "Come 'ead," he patted her hand, "We're almost there."

Once they crossed the street, her skin tingled where he touched her, and her heart began to beat erratically in her chest, she thought it might fly out. The closer they were to her apartment, she couldn't find her voice. Her cheeks flushed hot, and her stomach was heavy. John's eyes wandered around at the crowd, the clear night sky, and surrounding buildings while hers stayed locked on him. Was this the alcohol talking, or was it finally making her come to her senses? What was coming over her? God, he was so beautiful at this very moment. The way his hair fell a little over those thick brown eyebrows of his, almost covering those almond-shaped eyes in which the glow of the city reflected in them. It was crazy to think that they were once strangers, and now, this was someone who she felt comfortable with, someone she opened up to and trusted, possibly even loved but also wanted so much more.