"𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬"

𝟔. "𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬"

I gradually opened my eyes, sat up and stretched my limbs. Then I turned my head, expecting to see Jerome, but he wasn't there.

I touched my lips, and my eyebrows creased. Why did he kiss me? I guess he was scared and looking for comfort. I rubbed my forehead and realised something.

I kissed him.

My eyes widened with panic. Then I heard some clattering in the kitchen. I swallowed heavily, pulled my shirt down and got up to see what was going on.

I walked out of the bedroom and saw Jerome cooking something on the stove. He hadn't noticed that I was awake. At least not until I moved a chair, and it squeaked quietly.

He turned around with a spatula still in his hand. His eyes lit up when he saw me, and he grinned widely. I swallowed heavily and looked him up and down.

He really is incredibly handsome.

His hair was a ruffled mess, and it was falling over his beautiful green eyes. And his perfect smile made me actually lose feeling in my knees.

I found that to be thoroughly ridiculous, but it was, honestly, how I felt because of him. And then something dawned on me, and my chest burned a little bit.

There is no way he looks at me the way I look at him. It would be too easy for him to get any girl he wants, and there is no way he wants me. I've been told I'm nothing special enough to know that.

"Morning, Ginger." I finally spoke up with a weak smile.

"Morning, Grey." He rasped, quickly turned around and flipped the pancakes on two plates.

His morning voice made me freeze for a second. But then I quickly got a grip and sat at the head of my table. He came up to me with the breakfast and set it in front of me.

Then he sat down, shifted his chair closer to me and leaned towards me. My heart stopped when I realised he wanted to kiss me, and I immediately moved away.

I did want to kiss him, but I didn't know what it meant for him. And I couldn't ruin what we had. And I was scared he would realise that I have no idea what I'm doing when he wasn't half-asleep.

"I-I'm sorry." I muttered under my breath and pulled my head down.

"W-we c-can't." I frowned and hunched my shoulders.

"Why not? We could last night." He seemed to be disappointed.

"Wait." He stood up abruptly. I winced and looked up at him.

"Did you only kiss me because you felt bad for me?!" He accused and pointed his finger at me. My eyes widened.

"What? No. It's not that." I mumbled nervously and scrambled to my feet. 

"I mean, I did feel bad for you, but, uh..." I started rubbing the back of my neck. His face fell.

"Oh, my God!" He chuckled humourlessly and pushed his fingers in his ginger locks. I winced with surprise.

"I am so stupid! I thought you actually liked me." He looked away from me.

"Guess I was wrong, huh?" He muttered to himself and quickly stepped towards the door. I swiftly grabbed his bicep, trying to keep him from leaving.

"I'm so sorry, Jerome. Please, don't go." I pleaded. He gently seized my hand and took it off of him.

"We can talk about it. I, uh..."

"No, thanks. I gotta go. See you around, Grace." He said coldly, left and slammed the door behind him.

***