Between Two Fires

^.^ CHAPTER 16 ^.^

Cyan's POV

After Lea's call, the walk back is quiet. A slightly awkward silence envails us leaving me prey to my own thoughts. My mind repeats the almost-kiss over and over causing my cheeks to keep their red tinge even throughout the ten minutes we had already spent walking. I try to alter my focus onto something else and I become aware of a slight pain building up with every step on my hip. I try to walk as normally as possible in order to keep Lucas' pace. I could see my house just up ahead and I would have to have a look at my hip before bed but now was not the time to complain.

"You alright?" I feel his close proximity before I see that he has come to a stop in-front of me. Shocked, I make the mistake of looking into his eyes – the deep blue colour taking me back to our almost kiss once again. I take a step back, accidentally putting all my weight on my right foot hiding my wince by looking down, causing my long tendrils of hair to cover up my face deliberately.

"Yes, I'm fine." I look towards my house and see a small figure approaching us from its direction. "Is that Lea?" He turns his attention from me to the small figure coming our way. I put my hand up to wave and accidentally bang my own hip as I settle it back down by my side. "Ahsshh!!!"

I feel Lucas' eyes on me before I feel his hands. Before I can stop him, he has my top lifted slightly, only enough to see the bruise forming on my hip, the obvious print of the fingers which had forcefully held me earlier making me shudder. Just as fast as my top was lifted, its dropped back into place and Luca is leaning against the lifeguard post, his fist digging into the sturdy wooden frame.

"That son of a-" His fist lifts into the air but I grab his arm before his fist can spiral towards the wooden post.

"Hey-heeeey," I try to keep my own voice from shaking and take on a soothing tone. "Its ok – its just a bruise it'll disappear. I am pretty sure he is in worse shape." I feel his fist un-clench in my hold.

"He deserves it. You don't" He mutters hotly.

Why is he so mad? My own thoughts surface but are soon cut off by another voice.

"Hey – what are you doing standing around. I called out like - a million times." Lea's usually cheerful personality isn't there. Instead she looks tired and worried making me feel bad for keeping her waiting for so long. She looks me over, her hands coming to rest on my shoulders. "Are you ok? I was so worried after what happened.."

"Yeah I-m fine---!"

"She isn't" Luca cuts me off, finally turning his attention back onto us. "Her hip is bruised from his fingers." He spits out the words angrily and although his tone is calmer, the underlying anger is still evident in his stiff posture and short answers.

"It's just a small bruise, it'll fade away." I try to keep my own tone confident and cheerful but this time I keep my tone firm, holding his gaze and challenging him to say otherwise.

"Fine – whatever." He sighs and storms off towards his house leaving me confused, worried and a little frustrated at his sudden harsh attitude towards me. 

Once in the house I walk straight to the couch.  My butt has barely touched the couch but I could already feel Lea eyeing me as she sat beside me, legs crossed and body facing in my direction.

"So..." She wastes no time.

"So....," I answer. She gives me a pointed look. Well - I guess playing dumb wasn't going to work. I roll my eyes. "Now I know why you wanted to sleep here instead of just going next door. Fine –" Not wasting any time, I recite all the events which had happened since I had left the party. The only thing I leave out is the location of the 'secret place' telling her we just went further down the beach to a place where he likes to go with his sister. "I really don't understand him. I mean he seems like the typical guy which thinks with his d*ck which makes me want to hate him but then, other times, he is fun to be around.  Also, why did he get mad just now?" I finish off and throw my hands up in the air in frustration, my thoughts tumbling out of my mouth.

Lea's mouth forms a big O shape, "He took you to their spot?" She barely pauses in between questions,"You almost kissed?!" Guess she is stuck on that fact.

"Well, yeah. You told me I should kiss an Australian guy didn't you? Its no big deal. Although I've decided I don't want it to be your cousin. He already gets enough lip action from every other girl." I keep my voice even and emotionless trying to keep the earlier feeling of temptation and excitement away from my thoughts.

Although what I had just told Lea was true, and I did regret the almost kiss, it had felt right at the time. The attraction had been evident and the need to feel his lips on mine had drawn me towards him.

"You keep telling yourself that... but your words tell me that you at least like him enough that you are conflicted about how he acts," Her thoughtful expression scares me so instead of continuing the conversation, I get up and nudge her with the pillow I had been holding. 

"You can tell me all about your time with Ethan tonight tomorrow. Right now my bed is calling me." I point towards the spare bedroom. "You can sleep in the spare room." I call out before walking to my own room. "Goodnight !!!"

"Night Cyan, try not to dream about my cousin!"

SIGH

*****

So - I am extremely busy with exams and with an upcoming holiday to Japan - but I am trying to continue the book. Hopefully I can at least upload a chapter a week :D Please read and thank you for your support!!!

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