Between Two Fires

^.^ Chapter 13 ^.^

Before my brain has time to fully process the fact that Luca had been the one to rip Josh off of me, he turns to me and looks me straight in the eyes. His eyes are filled with anger and something else – worry? – as he looks at me. It's in that moment that I notice the tears streaming down my face and just how shaky I am feeling. I had never liked anyone seeing me cry so I make an attempt to wipe the tears away and hide my face behind my long hair.

I feel a hand wrap around mine before I am being pulled away from the commotion and when I look up, I realize Luca is the one helping me get away from the crowd which had began to gather. I can't bring myself to question him so I follow him silently all the way to the Diner. The music from the party is now feint in the background. Instead of taking me into the Diner, he walks around the Diner – to a small building which looked to be about the size of a big bedroom from the outside. He unlocks it easily and opens one of the double doors, pulling me in behind him.

The door closes behind us, the loud thump echoing slightly in the small room where we stand. Luca comes to a stop and we stand in silence. My eyes start to adjust to the darkness but I cannot make out any of the objects inside the room. My heart almost jumps out of my chest when Luca suddenly turns around, his fierce gaze now directed my way. He takes a step towards me and I take a step back. My eyes have adjusted to the darkness just enough so I can make out Lucas' features. 

His face is tense and I can still feel the anger radiating off him. Although his posture and slow movements are threatening – like a beast hunting down its pray – I don't feel as if I am in imminent danger. He takes another step towards me and I follow suit, taking another – much smaller might I add – step back. The look in his eyes makes breathing harder – intense and angry - he looks straight into my eyes leaving me unsure weather I was right not to be scared. The worry I had seen there earlier is long gone.

Although my feet automatically make a move to take another step back, I don't get very far. My back meets the rough wooden wall, leaving me with no room to step back any further. By the small glint in his eye I can tell he knows this too. He takes one last step towards me, closing the gap between us.

His hands come up and slam on either side of my head in one quick, swift motion causing my breath to catch in my throat. "I did try to warn you to stay away from him.." I can feel his breath tickling my face, sending a shiver down my spine. His deep voice is barely above a whisper making it audible only due to our close proximity. His gaze softens slightly, probably noticing the fear in my eyes. The worry I had seen earlier surfacing, even if its just for just a second, "Are you ok?" His eyes inspect my face and then trail down my body. I am not sure how he can tell in the dark, but his shoulders relax once he see's I don't seem to be in any physical pain.

If this would have happened any other day, or maybe even with anyone else, I would have pushed him away and stood my ground. However the alcohol made it harder for me to control my emotions, leaving me vulnerable to my surroundings. I did not recognize myself this way, my usually happy but tough exterior was gone – in its place all that was left was a frightened girl at the mercy of her emotions. And Luca was the last person I should be around when I was this vulnerable.

His presence – which affected me even when I was sober – was causing my emotions to jump all over the place, leaving me unsure of what I was feeling and what I SHOULD be feeling.

I knew I should feel scared right now, but I wasn't sure that I did. I knew I shouldn't feel drawn towards him, but I did. I also knew that I should push him away right now and ask him who he thought he was to tell me who I should and shouldn't talk to, but I didn't.

"B-but he was drunk. Plus, I-i'm fine." My voice comes out quiet and vulnerable. Trying again, I attempt to make my voice firmer, "Josh probably didn't mean to do-"