Page 9 of Fervency Love

“Watch out!” I cry and grab her by the arm at the last instant.

The feeling I have then is one of a kind. I swear I’ve never felt something like that. Well, maybe when I first took her handwhen introducing myself, or that time on the bus when she fell into me, but now it’s even stronger. I can’t describe it. It’s as if she zapped me with a current that made my hair stand on end, and I mean hair everywhere. A wave of heat passes through my entire body. She must be feeling it too, as she jerks away.

“Why don’t you take my arm, eh?” I suggest, deciding she really did overdo it with the beer. Besides, I’d like to keep touching her.

“Yes, that seems like a good idea,” she says sheepishly and slides her arm beneath mine. Meanwhile, I’m dreaming that this moment never ends.

What is this? I don’t know! What’s happening to me? I don’t know this feeling, but—holy shit!—I love it. We take the bus and sit in the last seat. It’s nearly empty. There are only two other people riding with us, and they’re sitting in the front. We ride in silence. The beer is doing its job. I’m relaxing. Or maybe it’s not the alcohol. What if she’s the one that’s spinning my head around like that? We’re sitting without looking at each other. She seems embarrassed. She drops her head and fiddles with her fingernails. I think she can feel my gaze on her, as her head lifts. Our eyes meet. What a breathtaking view! How they shine! I can see my reflection in them like in water. Her eyes tell me everything I need to know and too little at the same time.

“What’s up?” I ask with concern. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“No, no, it’s alright.”

“’Cause you’re looking at me like…”

“Like what?” she asks quietly.

“I don’t know. As if inside you’re just screaming: kiss me!”

“Oh, my God! That’s right! Oh, no, did I say that aloud?”

I laugh, seeing she’s pulling my leg.

“I told you, I’m drunk and I’d like to kiss you.” The bluntness of those words is disarming. “But I won’t do it,” she adds before I have the chance to reply.

“Why not?” There’s a pang of disappointment in my heart.

“Because I’m drunk and I might regret it later.”

I smile. She’s incredible.

We reach the tanning salon, and Abbs goes in. Taking the opportunity, I go for a smoke. She isn’t gone a long time, but she must be feeling even worse now as she leaves and walks over, stumbling. I decide not to ask this time, instead locking her arm with mine. That’s when some chick rounds the corner. She’s walking hand in hand with Elsa. Elsa’s pretty hot, but she’s also a pain in the ass who can’t give me a break. I hate that about her. I can’t help but notice that as soon as Abbs catches sight of the two, she clings to me a tiny bit closer.

“Hey, Abby! Everything alright?” says the girl I don’t know.

“Yeah. Nikki, this is Ve, the one I told you about.”

Nikki sends me a cold, withering glance, barks a short “Hi” and asks Abbs where we’re going.

“Ve’s walking me home.”

“What will your parents say when they see you like that?” Abbs is clearly getting worse if even that girl sees it.

“Well… they’re not home.,” Abbs says, giggling.

“Just great. Okay, I’ll take Elsa and be at your place soon.” Saying this, she gives me a hostile stare. Can’t say I know why. Crazy bitch.

“Who was that?” I ask when they leave us.

“My friend, Nikki.”

“Why was she glaring at me like that?”

“Hmm. Maybe she thinks you’re going to take me home and take advantage of me!” She laughs.

“What? Why would she think that?”

“She sees you as the type of guy right out of the stories of that girl she’s friends with.”

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