A comfort and peace I had never before felt made me want to stay this way forever, not opening my eyes, not moving. The warmth coursing through my body overwhelmed me. I didn’t know what was happening.
Half complaining as I fully woke up, the first thing my eyes saw was a light brown wall, I knew where I was, in Donovan’s room. Then, I lowered my gaze to my body. I was dressed, well, that’s good. Not so good, was the arm around my waist, the warm breath hitting my nape, and Donovan’s chest touching my back. We were curled up together. This is not damn good, it can’t be, I shouldn’t like this. I should jump away from him, but… I don’t, something is holding me back and I know exactly what it is.
The peace this gives me is incredible. The feeling of total fulfillment scares me, but it feels so good… I’ve never felt this way. I felt like crying. What the hell is wrong with me?! And how did we end up like this in the first place?
I turned my head to see Donovan’s sleeping face, at least I hoped so, but there’s the thing, he wasn’t asleep, his eyes were open. The tips of our noses were touching, his breath quickened and I couldn’t help but look at his lips, then I returned my gaze to his eyes and froze, too much depth in a single look, too much heat, too much desire.
“Deni?” Alice’s voice made us separate in a second. Heat rushed to my cheeks when the woman looked at me and him in astonishment. “What were you doing?”
“Nothing,” I quickly replied nervously before Donovan could say something to her. He looked at me amused by my reaction. “I mean… uh… I’m leaving now.”
I walked quickly to the kitchen, looked for my purse thrown in a corner and the memory of my moment with Donovan last night came to mind. Discarding the thought -for the moment-, I grabbed the purse and ran to the exit.
“Alicia! Wait!” Donovan yells behind me. I slowed down, but kept walking to the bus stop. It seemed to have just dawned, what time is it? School!
Donovan caught up with me and walked with me. “Where are you going?”
“Home. I’m going to be absent again and you’re totally to blame.”
“Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed?” He was more cheerful than usual. And me being a grumpy old woman.
“No. Luckily for me, with you by my side.” I stopped and we stood face to face, both of us were nervous about last night’s events, we weren’t acting as usual, we had different postures, I can almost see the white flag between us.
“I promised you wouldn’t miss school because of me again, let’s go. I’ll take you,” he pointed to his car and put his hand back in his pants pocket.
Completely surprised by his proposal and expecting it to be a trap, I shook my head. “I can’t go with the same clothes…”
“I’ll lend you something from Alice, hurry up or we’ll be late.” He gestured towards the house for us to head there.
“You don’t have to do this…” I began to say, but he interrupted me.
“I know, but I promised. Let’s go, Alicia.”
I changed and Alice’s clothes fit me just right, she seemed a little uncomfortable with my presence now. It must have been because of the scene a few minutes ago with her son. Maybe she was jealous.
We waited for Donovan’s neighbor to take care of Alice and once she arrived, we headed to school. We didn’t say much on the way, we were totally uncomfortable and nervous, as if something we said would ruin everything that happened a few hours ago.
We arrived, I got out of the car and a couple of looks caught my attention. They were watching us, many girls had their mouths open in astonishment, others had a frown and pursed lips of anger, and I wanted to get back in the car and never come out again.
“Thank you for bringing me and for talking with me last night and, um… letting me sleep in your bed,” I murmured so no one could hear, he smiled and winked at me. God, that smile is too much for me. Looking at the floor I walked to the entrance, but Donovan took my shoulder to stop me. He has something with stopping me whenever I want to run.
“Do you want me to pick you up after school?” he asked without releasing my shoulder, until I turned around and he ran his hand through his hair. I’d like to be that hand.
“And why would you do that? It wasn’t part of your promise…” I tell him, stepping away just a step from him.
I don’t want anyone to misunderstand things. Enough with getting out of his car, being too close is not an option. We’re not a couple and I don’t want any girl to start acting crazy with me because I took her man, among them, Jessi is there and she will at some point, I know it.
“It’s not because of the promise,” he said so low I could barely hear it.
I should say no, but I don’t want to. What are we doing? Do we both want to spend time with each other? I don’t get it, why do we like being together? I thought he hated people, but with me, he’s acting differently.
“Yes, I want to.”