Chapter 9
Recap:
Then I looked up, scanning the length of the tall, broad figure silently standing in the living room, in front of the glass sliding doors.
To find the face one person in the whole world who understood me like no one else, who's perfect face ran through my life's best memories and was one of the most recognisable faces in the western world today, posted across billboards internationally.
I looked straight into the unmistakable bright blue eyes of my best friend.
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Ari was standing outlined by the light streaming through the glass as he looked at me, his face set in cute uncertainty, and his jaw muscles were tense, his blue eyes searching mine. In his right hand he had the TV remote, which he chucked on the other end of the sofa.
I knew that in these few seconds he was trying to judge how I felt, looking for a sign but I could see his nerves seeping through in the slight twitching of his left hand.
Whenever Ari's nervous his left hand fingers twitch ever so slightly, moving as if on reflex. I don't think he can help it, it's like all his extra nervous energy is looking for an outlet. Honestly, to this day I don't think he knows he does it, and I've never wanted to give away his tell.
I couldn't help but be comforted by the fact that I wasn't the only one who was nervous. I sat forward on the sofa, our eyes locking onto each other's immediately, and I felt like he exuded some sort of magnetic pull, all I wanted to do was to walk over to him and finish off what we started in my bedroom.
It really didn't help that he was standing there looking so perfect.
My stomach immediately dipped.
Whatever happened now, whatever the outcome, was going to change everything between us.
It seemed like we were standing there for hours looking into each others eyes across the room, but it only could have been seconds. Ari's bright blue eyes held mine from across the room and before I knew it we were both caught in a staring competition.
The whole room felt alive with an unknown energy as we both stared into each other's eyes. It was as if I was trapped in this little bubble where all I could see was Ari with his burning blue eyes.
Who was going to break first?
I knew Ari would, he could never keep a straight face for long if he wasn't in character.
Slowly, I could see his face visibly relax and a slight smile start to playing on his lips... instantaneously I felt myself start to mirror him unconsciously, my lips curving up into a small smile. His eyes seemed to be alive with a familiar intensity, and I felt like I might burst into flames under his powerful gaze or maybe melt into a pile of goo on the sofa.
Then it was as if the whole atmosphere of the room had shifted suddenly, as if heated up slightly and the air seemed full of possibilities...
What was he going to do?
What would I do?
Why did he make me feel nervous in a way that I wanted never to stop?
My whole body seemed to relax slightly at just the sight of his smile, and though I still felt the tingling sense of nerves that I realised I didn't mind not knowing anymore, as long as he was standing in front of me smiling.
I was probably smiling back at him like he'd created the sun, but I really couldn't have cared less.
I already knew what I wanted.
I wanted Ari to see me as more than his best friend. I wanted him to see me as more than the little girl whom he'd grown up with and seen running around his garden in a Disney princess dress when she was four.
Maybe, subconsciously I've seen Ari as more than just my childhood best friend for a while now, but I'd tried to avoid feeling it.....
Risking it.
There, you've finally let yourself admit it Isobel. You like Ari.
I looked at him, taking in his slightly tousled, sandy golden hair, his perfect infectious smile with his slight dimples, and the honey colour of his skin that seemed to make his eyes shine even bluer as they looked down at me.
I had to speak, to break the silence we seemed stuck in.
I couldn't just sit there smiling up at him as he stood smiling back at me.
Even if he did look so incredibly hot.
I opened my mouth to speak, just about to break the silence between us when all of a sudden Ari walked over to the sofa determinedly with a slight smile still set on his face. I sat there in shock, frozen in anticipation that made me tingle all over. Then, as soon as Ari stopped in front of me, he reached down and grabbed my hands,which were sitting nervously on my lap. He held them for a second in his strong hands, eyes burning down into mine, before pulling me up from the sofa forcefully so my body seemed to collide with his as I stood, every inch of my body pressed against his.
I couldn't help but gasp at the sudden movement and how hard the planes of his stomach were.
Ari's left hand slid around my waist, resting on the small of my back as his other hand slowly reached up and brushed a tendril of hair away, which had fallen over my face. He was no longer smiling but his face was set in a more serious way, his jaw clenching slightly as his eyes seemed to travel my face, as if he were memorising me.
All I could do was hope that this wasn't an incredibly real hallucination.
I just loved the feel of him against me, the warmth of his body seeping into me as he held me. The way his sweet lemony smell seemed to surround me and I found myself talking a shaky breath, as I he looked down on me with this crazy happy look that just made my knees feel weak.
"It wasn't a mistake Ella Bear. Nothing to do with you is ever a mistake to me." He said softly.
I felt my heart speed up and I sighed unconsciously.
He didn't think it was a mistake?
I wanted to break out into a huge smile and tell him I felt exactly the same way, but just as I opened my mouth to speak Ari continued;
His arm tightened around my waist slightly making my stomach flip
"God, I don't care if you regret the kiss. All I know is that I don't and if you let me I'd like to finish our first kiss"
I couldn't help but smile as my heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest with happiness.
I felt my arms lift up around his neck as I shifted on to my tiptoes and whispered
" Yes pleas-"
But I couldn't finish my sentence before Ari's mouth pressed down against mine; sending electric shivers up my skin and deep into my core. His teeth nibbled at my bottom lip momentarily and I immediately opened my mouth, letting him taste me.
I felt myself get lost in the feeling of his body pressed against mine, his strong hand in my hair holding my head as his tongue sent my whole body into sensory overload. My fingers intertwined with his short hair as I pushed myself further into him, trying to close any nonexistent space between us.
I felt like my whole body was alive. So this was what I was missing from my life; Ari's kisses.
We slowly pulled away from each other to get air, breathing raggedly as we stood embraced, smiling at one another.
" Best mistake I ever made" I said slowly, emphasising each word.
Ari chuckled " snap" as he leant down trailing his soft lips across my neck slowly and up along my jaw line, making me shiver with delight.
Mmmm ... that felt so good....
"You know, I think I want to make this particular mistake over and over again' I whispered.
I felt Ari smile into my neck, his hot breath on my skin setting off sweet mayhem on my senses as he replied huskily " I couldn't agree more"
He trailed his lips up my neck over to mine, getting dangerously close to my lips as I wrapped my arms tighter around him.... I didn't want this to stop....
Then my mother called from the kitchen ' Hey foods served you guys, stop watching TV'
Ari stopped kissing my neck and pulled back slightly chuckling 'shit, talk about perfect timing huh?' he said half chuckling.
"I know ... I guess we should go get some food" I said, unable to wipe the huge smile of my face as I slowly turned to walk to the kitchen. My head was still spinning from his kisses and I could still feel the imprint of the warmth of his body on me. If I didn't move now I wouldn't ever get into that kitchen.
I just kissed Ari.
I just honest to god kissed my movie star best friend - and I loved it.
Then just as I got to the door I felt Ari's arms slide around my waist from behind me, pulling me back a step into the living room. I felt myself instantaneously melt into him, savouring the feel of his hard body against mine, then he leant down and kissed me softly on the neck before he pushed me gently thought the door way into the kitchen.
Linda and my parents were sitting at the kitchen table pouring drinks when I stumbled in, my legs felt weak and clumsy, like I was a newborn calf or something.
Ari seemed to have that effect on me lately....
They all looked at me and I could feel the slight haze of a blush seep across my face like a red flag announcing what we'd been up to just seconds before.
I felt like I was wearing a huge 'I JUST KISSED ARI' sign around my neck ....
" What up clutz?" my dad asked, laughing at my uncoordinated entrance.
I smiled, trying to will my blush to die down as I walked over to the table and sat down. Where the heck was Ari?
Linda was looking at me curiously " So what were you guys watching that kept you from dinner? Was it good?" she asked with a slight glint in her eye.
I felt my face heat up further.... 'Oh I was just having an amazing make out session with your son' was definetly not the appropriate answer.... So instead I stalled for time stuttering 'Uh, uh yeah, I mean, uh"
When I heard Ari speak behind me " What Ella's trying to say, very articulately"
I turned to find him standing behind me grinning at my parents and his mums confused expressions before he continued, " Is that the TV show was absolutely mind blowing"
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Hey, hope you guys like it!
It's sorry it took ame so long to re- upload but life got hectic.
I think some of you will be happy I didn't end this chap with a cliffy - but don't worry I have plans ahead.....
(Also sorry for any grammar and spelling mistakes I might have missed!)
Smile024 :D