A Billion Stars

Chapter 16

"Is that better?" Ricky asks as I drink down a bottle of water. I nod and stop drinking, sighing heavily. "Major hallucination back there." I admit and he laughs, pushing his hair away. "It happens, can I take a drink?" He asks and I nod, giving him the bottle without thinking twice. When his lips touch the bottle though, everything feels like it's in slow motion and I look up at him as he drinks, sorta like I just realized what he was doing. He seems to realize too, and his eyes are trained on me as he lowers the bottle. Suddenly, my thoughts are invaded with the moment from last night, it all comes crashing back. His lips on mine, his gentle touch and his mind-numbing presence resurface as his eyes hold mine and his mouth parts just a little as he takes a step closer to me. I just know he feels the energy between us and just as he reaches forward to hold my hand, someone bumps into me. "Woah sorry!" I immediately say, turning and breaking the moment between Ricky. When I turn around though, I see someone dart away and something about it feels familiar again. I feel Ricky's hand on mine and I'm taken out of my thoughts. "Nins, hey, you good?" He asks and I nod, though I'm still examining the crowd. "Hey what's up?" He ask, moving much closer and picking up my hand. "I just thought I saw someone." I say and his eyebrows knit together as he looks up and around, just as he did after we finished riding the Ferris wheel. "That's the second time you've said that, are you sure you're okay?" He asks and I drop my shoulders. "I'm fine, I think." I say and he looks unsure. "Who do you think it is? Do you know anyone here?" I shake my head and bite my lip. "No but just yesterday-" he cuts me off and squeezes my hand. "No. He's not here. And if he is, I'm calling the police." I frown and involuntarily move closer to him. "What if he is though, what if-" Ricky's body moves impossibly close to mine and he wraps an arm around me. A warm, protective arm. "Then I'm here and you're not alone. But God knows I'm not letting you keep getting sucked in by him and if he's here, it means he's downright stalking you and that's grounds for harassment charges." I nod and he looks around. "Keep letting me know if you feel uncomfortable, but until then, I'm taking you to the best ice cream on Santa Monica pier." I laugh, his ability to change the mood quickly and positively not lost on me. I loop my arm around his waist as he starts to lead me away. I notice his arm doesn't drop, the intensity of his hold doesn't loosen and his closeness doesn't decrease as we walk and my heart starts to beat just a little faster.