Like A Blinding Light

BOOK 1: Chapter 2

Ivan's POV

"... love you."

I just got off from the elevator and was running down the hall to my apartment when I heard the voice of a girl who was standing right outside the unit across mine and Matt's.

"Hope to see you at dinner tonight," the girl said with a hint of teasing in her tone.

Noah, my neighbor since freshman year, was shaking his head while smiling at the girl.

I usually would not pay attention to a scene like this as it was none of my business. But perhaps I got a little intrigued since this was the first time I've seen Noah having a girl over his apartment in all the years that we've been neighbors. Not that I keep track of his affairs, of course.

Or maybe I was just drawn to the sight of the petite, caramel-skinned girl who was wearing shorts, tank top and a pair of psychedelic rubber flip-flops.

She suddenly reminded me of a bright, sunny and carefree time at a beach on a fun summer vacation. One I hadn't had for some years now.

"Thanks for the coffee by the way!" The girl said mirthfully.

"Anytime, Sab." Noah winked and grinned at the girl.

Sab.

I couldn't see her face yet. I wondered if it also exudes the same vibrant energy as her body was doing right now. I was probably waiting for her to turn around that I unconsciously stopped walking forward.

The girl giggled. Even her voice sounded bubbly and playful. She stepped backwards, waving her hand to Noah as he closed the door.

Failing to notice our closing distance and the way she was going towards me, I jerked when she bumped against my chest as she suddenly turned around. She wobbled, but I quickly caught her elbows to steady her.

I felt her body stiffen. For a moment, I thought she'd move back, but she didn't. She just stood still while I stared at the top of her head which was covered by straight, dark brown hair. I felt my body tensed as I became aware of our proximity. She smelled of peaches and cream with just the right balance of sweetness and subtlety. I felt her smooth skin under my fingers as I realized I was still holding her.

A surge of unfamiliar emotion rushed through my body; it was difficult to identify as it was also hard to not acknowledge.

She wouldn't look at me. Instead, she took a deep breath-- a little too deep, I think-- that it felt like she was sniffing me. I got turned on by the thought, there was something carnal in the picture. And as if on cue, I felt my sweat trickled down my neck.

Then, a sudden realization probably hit her and perhaps thought the same thing I did because I heard her gulp. Was she affected by this too? I chuckled at the thought that we could probably be feeling the same right now.

If she would just look up at me already.

I was about to bend down to meet her gaze when she suddenly looked down and stepped back, making me release my hold of her elbows. "I'm so sorry. I should've really watched where I was going," she said in a low but panicked voice.