Between Two Fires

^.^ Chapter 14 ^.^

Not a word is spoken as we walk away from the Diner, making our way down to the shore. Instead of walking in the direction of my house, as I'd been expecting, Luca starts to walk back in the direction of the party. I still felt shaken up about the Josh situation and I didn't fancy encountering him again tonight. I didn't much feel like partying anymore either.

What, did you expect - Luca to notice? Even if he did, did you expect him to care....?

"Luca, go to the party if you want. I think I'll head home – I don't really fancy going back to the that way...." I say, my feet digging into the sand, refusing to go any further.

"What do you mean...?" He looks confused. I point towards the party up ahead on the upper part of the beach. Understanding falls upon his expression and he shakes his head, "I wasn't going towards the party." He pauses, "There is actually something else I wanted to show you, if you are up for it."

"Where is what you want to show me?" I ask, my voice betraying my curiosity.

"I need you to trust me." He must see my indecisiveness because he adds, "Look - we haven't known each other for long, I know. But can you trust me on this? I think you will like it." The strange blue-green colour of his eyes is astounding to look at even in the moonlight. Unlike mine which require a beautiful day to look any other colour than their usual dull grey. His eyes continue to search mine for an answer.

"I-Uh.." Trust. Could I trust him? Ever since I had met him just a week ago my emotions had been on a roller coaster ride.  I had come here to be carefree and instead I was stuck being careful around him all the time. So could I really trust a person I just met a week ago? No. But could I trust Luca?

Yes.

The answer came to mind without a sliver of doubt but there was no logic behind it. Especially considering we had just spent the last twenty minutes having a go at each other. But with Luca, logic seemed to escape my thoughts.

"I guess I can...Although I think it might be the alcohol speaking," That was the only logical explanation right? I think he thinks It's a joke because a small chuckle leaves his lips. My mouth drops in awe. I hadn't really seen Luca laugh yet – but when he chuckled his mouth spread into a smile revealing his cute dimple on one side. He catches me staring and raises an eyebrow, I look away, blushing.

"Take a picture – It'll last longer." I know he is joking but I can't help but feel even more embarrassed.

Come on Cyan, where are your ever-present, witty comebacks, now?

Looking him square in the eyes I answer, "I would... but I wouldn't want my camera to brake." I give him by best cheeky smile.

Ok – so not the best come-back but it was something...I pat myself on the back mentally.

Suddenly, his expression sobers up unexpectedly. "I want to apologize, by the way. About just now in the workshop... I shouldn't have gotten mad at you or judged you. Its just..."He laughs awkwardly, "I really don't know what to think of you. When I first saw you, confidently singing on stage, I wouldn't have thought you would be so shy in person - like you were that night at the party when my cousin introduced us. Then you do things like jump off cliffs and answer unexpectedly with witty come-backs..."

I shrug and look back at him. He has his hands in his and his eyes are on his feet as he walks. I definitely hadn't expected him to mention the singing so I wasn't sure what to answer, "What can I say – I am full of surprises."

"Makes me think you have a twin and are fooling us all," A rare small smile adorns his lips making my steps falter for a second. Ugh, why did he have to have such a cute smile.