Opposites Attract

Chapter 4

Chapter 4;

Eric p.o.v.

The walk back to mine wasn't awkward, at all. I knew she was upset so I tried to make her laugh whenever I could.

I even somehow managed to trip over and landed on my bum, (not on purpose, I might add). She helped me up, still laughing hysterically.

I'd tickled her in revenge, and she'd squealed, drawing attention to us from passers by. I can't believe that I'd missed out with this amazing woman because her parents hadn't 'authorised' it.

Even in school, I knew she was different and I have to admit, I'd had the biggest crush on her - still do, a little bit.

Soon enough, we got to the flat and I let us in. I'd only been on my way back here anyway from meetings about my music.

J had stayed on for another meeting and to record a few new songs but I'd wanted some time alone - although I didn't mind hanging out with Kate now, at all.

"Wow, you've got a nice place!" She smiled as she looked around. I thanked her with a smile, taking us into the kitchen. The flat was quite big I suppose.

As J and I were both earning a fair bit, doing what we did, we were able to afford a decent place. We'd decided to keep the decoration simple - white with a few bits of colour.

We settled on pasta for lunch. It wasn't very exciting but it's pretty much all we had in as it was J's turn to go shopping and he'd 'forgotten' to last night when I'd been in yet another meeting. I sighed as I realised I'd have to go later on.

We'd argued about who was cooking what, but had settled on me cooking the pasta and for her to chop and cook the sauce. It'd been going well until she'd accidentally split a tiny bit of sauce on my tshirt.

I didn't mind in the slightest but she apologised profusely and even offered to wash it, which I'd politely declined.

Kate asked about me and J living together, so I told her. Me and J share this flat, and it's like sharing with a brother.

We'd known each other since primary school when my family had moved here, to the UK, from Sweden after mum got divorced from dad and got a job here, and I guess we had bonded over it.

Mum had gone on to re-marry and have my half siblings, Noorah and Arvid about a year or two later. J's also Swedish but he'd moved here years before I had, when he was only tiny (not even 2), so he didn't remember much about living there.

J's family still lived close by, but mine had moved back to Sweden when I was 18. Mum, Noorah and Arvid moved back to Sweden when mum's marriage to my stepdad had ended, but I was settled and couldn't bare to leave.

That's when me and J decided to get a place together - it was half the rent and still close to his family if anything ever went wrong. Plus, I had the income of my music - that meant I was able to afford to actually live on my own (or with J).

Obviously I missed my family, but I was able to visit (or they would come here) as often as we wanted thanks to my music.

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"You do know that my parents are going to go crazy if they find out about this, right?" Kate laughed as we were sat on the sofa after eating. She'd relaxed now and seemed much happier, smiling constantly.

"Does it matter?" I laughed back. "We've had fun, right?"

"Yeah, we have." She smiled. She suddenly looked at the clock and her face dropped. "Damn. If I don't leave now, I'll be late for work." She got up and swung her bag on, but stopped abruptly - I was holding her coat hostage.

"Come on, I'm sure you're owed some time off?" I tried to persuade her. She thought about it for a few seconds before awnsering.

"Well I am, but I didn't plan on telling you." She smirked.

Knowing I was winning, I made one last attempt. "We have ice cream in the freezer and bad films?" I sung, a smirk firmly in place.

"Damn you, Saade." She laughed, dropping her bag again and dialling a number - presumably her work.

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Kate p.o.v

Eric was trying to distract me as I called work. I tried to ignore him and sound ill as I spoke to them. "Yeah, I'm suddenly not feeling very well." Eric made the single stupidest face I've ever seen and I had to stifle a laugh. "I'll see how I feel tomorrow."

He came towards me, threatening to tickle me. I shot him a 'don't you dare!' look but he ignored me. I managed to quickly say goodbye and hang up before he got to me. I tried to escape but it was no good - he pinned me agaisnt the sofa and was absolutely merciless.

We were sat watching a bad film an hour later and I was amazed at how easy it was. Even when we were in school, I could tell that he was different.

There had been no awkward silences today and I had almost forgotten about my parents and Josh.

Well, almost. My phone rang - it was dad. Eric was calm and quiet as I awnsered. "Hey dad. Uh, no. I'm at a friends house." I shot Eric a worried look. "Not Ali's, no."

There was a brief pause on his end before he asked me of I wanted to come to another one of his dinners in a few nights.

I declined, saying I had plans with Ali and that I was working - I really couldn't bare another repeat of last night. We said goodbye and I breathed a sigh of relief when I hung up.

"A dinner? What's wrong with that?" Eric asked, genuinely confused.

"Well, we had one last night and they were trying to fix me up with some snob called Harvey."

"Harvey?" he asked, raising his eyebrow. I nodded and there was a brief pause before we both burst into a fit of laughter.

"I take it you didn't agree to a date then?"

"Oh god, no! He makes my skin crawl!" we laughed.

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I helped him to clean up before I left - he washed and I dried. We put the stuff away - well, I tried but he had to take over as I kept asking him where things went. By the time we had finished and I went to leave, it was half 5.

"Are you sure you don't want me to give you a lift back? It's not far and I don't mind." He offered.

"Thanks but like you said, it's really not far." I smiled as I shrugged my bag on. "But could I get your number? Just in case." I smirked.

He laughed. "Of course!" I handed him my phone and he handed me his. We saved our numbers and handed them back.

"Well, I guess I'll see you soon?"

I nodded, feeling my cheeks start to heat. I was honestly excited about seeing him again, not caring that I wasn't supposed to.

I went to give him a quick goodbye hug, but he held me in place for longer than necessary. He released me and I had the biggest smile on my face as I walked away, back to my flat.