A Surreptitious Relationship

:A Surreptitious Relationship: Chapter Thirty-Three

"Holly, let's go to the mall." 

I pulled my attention away from the television screen and gave Chris, who was now towering over me, a questioning look. "The mall? Where all teenagers hang out? All teenagers from our school that could catch us?" 

He wagged his finger down at me. "Not that mall. One further away." 

"That'll waste gas," I pointed out. 

"It's fine," he told me with a wave of his hand. 

Frowning, I returned my gaze to the T.V. It wasn't that hard to figure out what he was doing. He wanted to get me away from the town so I wouldn't go talk to Aaron. That was also why he hadn't left my house yet. Jeremy hadn't called yet, so I didn't know what was going on with him. If he was still at the hospital, he'd been there for at least three hours. 

"I don't have any money," I finally stated. 

"I'll buy you stuff." 

Sighing, I shook my head. "No, Chris." 

"Come on, Holly. Let's go on a date." 

I resisted the urge to scowl at him. "I know you're only doing this because you don't want me to talk to Aaron." 

He placed a hand on my thigh. I turned to him. He gave me the most serious look he could muster. "Holly Evers, I'm aghast you would even think that!" 

"You know it's true!" 

He smirked evilly. "Even so, I'm not letting you go today." 

"Why don't you want me to talk to him?" 

An uncomfortable expression took over his smug one. He shifted into a different position, pulling his hand from my leg and into his lap. "I told you. I don't want you going because something might happen." 

"It's a public place though!" 

"Holly, please. Just drop it." 

"No!" 

He narrowed his eyes. "You know, stubbornness is not an attractive quality." 

"Neither is being over protective." 

We held each other's hard gazes for a moment, daring the other to break it. Chris was the one who gave up first, a laugh escaping his lips. "I'm not being over protective. I'm just worried about you." 

"I know," I said with a sigh. "I know. I understand. I get it. I just don't like it." Huffing, I crossed my arms. "What if you came with me?" 

He made a face. "No, thank you." 

"You could just wait outside-" 

"No, Holly." 

"Why not?" I cried. "You're being so difficult!" 

He sent me an amused glance. "I'm being difficult?" 

"Yeah! I'm trying to compromise with you so I don't have to go behind your back, Chris!" 

"Why should I help you feel better about yourself when you're going to do whatever you want anyway?" 

I puffed out my cheeks. "Because you love me." 

He chuckled. "It's really hard to be angry with you, you know? However, I still don't want you talking to Aaron. That kid's messed up. No matter what, he won't tell you the truth of what happened." 

"How do you know that?" 

"When has Aaron ever been completely honest with you, Holly?" Chris questioned. "As far as I'm aware, he's only tricked you."