paused too long before I answered.
“Why…yes I can. Maybe if you ask me nicely I will fly you back to Ireland, and you can save yourself an expensive ticket.”
He smirked at that and leaned into me, “Maybe if you are nice, I will fly you to Ireland.” His smile was teasing but his eyes were dead serious.
I looked down and realized that we had been slowly shaking hands during the entire exchange. I quickly pulled away and the buzzing started to fade, escaping through my fingertips. I looked over and saw that Kayla and Morgan were staring at us. As soon as I met their gaze they snapped out of it and averted their eyes; pretending they had not been watching every moment.
My throat felt dry, “I’m going to grab a soda. I’ll be right back,” I said as I pivoted to walk toward the coolers.
“Me too,” I heard Liam say from behind, and I could feel his eyes on my back as I walked. I grabbed a soda and he took it from my hand.
“Allow me,” he said as he popped the top and handed it back. “Thanks,” I took a sip and gulped hard.
“I’m glad I chose this costume because tonight must be my lucky night. I did not realize you would be here, let alone that you were speaking to me again,” he said crossing his arms, waiting.
I looked down, “Well…what can I say. I am a sucker for leprechauns.”
I looked him over. He was wearing a top hat with a large four leaf clover glued to the front, a green long sleeve shirt, and a plastic bead necklace that had a pot of gold charm on the end. He looked charming and handsome, an irresistible combination. He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Will you be disappearing at midnight again, like Cinderella? I would just like to prepare myself for Monday.”
I bit my lip, and the guilty pit in my stomach churned. I had been so busy thinking about myself these past months; I tried not to think of how my sudden change of heart had affected Liam.
His expression showed what --panic, fear, sadness, anticipation? -- as he waited for my answer. I couldn’t let my supernatural stalker dictate my life anymore. I had never felt unsafe with Liam, the exact opposite in fact.
“I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. You did nothing wrong, and I would like to be friends. I would give you a hug but I think I would get glitter make-up all over you.” I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.
He sighed, “I’ll brave it,” and he uncrossed his arms pulling me into his chest. My ear rested on his heart and I took a deep breath as he held me. I could have stayed that way for the rest of the night letting the energy blanket me in warmth. Friends don’t typically hug for longer than five seconds, so I reluctantly pulled away.
We went back to the group to find Kayla next to the fireman deep into a flirtatious conversation, and Morgan was occupied with someone as well. I faced Liam and we talked for the rest of the night, catching up. It felt good to have him back in my life. It felt safe.
I wanted to tell him about my stalker and explain everything that had been happening, but something was holding me back. Maybe he could protect me or help me in some way. I kept my mouth shut, though, it all sounded so crazy. I was starting to think I was somehow imagining things, that my strange abilities could be causing mind glitches, creating delusions.
As we said goodnight, Liam made me promise that I would speak to him on Monday. I assured him he had nothing to worry about, and I even offered to buy him breakfast after class as an apology. He agreed and gave me one more lingering hug before parting ways. I still didn’t know if I could be with him, but I did know that I wanted him in my life one way or another.
Chapter 16: Background
I could not wait to have breakfast with Liam. I was practically giddy. We were no longer sitting next to each other in class and I regretted that I had made such a rash decision. He waited for me by the doors and we walked to the café
“Why…yes I can. Maybe if you ask me nicely I will fly you back to Ireland, and you can save yourself an expensive ticket.”
He smirked at that and leaned into me, “Maybe if you are nice, I will fly you to Ireland.” His smile was teasing but his eyes were dead serious.
I looked down and realized that we had been slowly shaking hands during the entire exchange. I quickly pulled away and the buzzing started to fade, escaping through my fingertips. I looked over and saw that Kayla and Morgan were staring at us. As soon as I met their gaze they snapped out of it and averted their eyes; pretending they had not been watching every moment.
My throat felt dry, “I’m going to grab a soda. I’ll be right back,” I said as I pivoted to walk toward the coolers.
“Me too,” I heard Liam say from behind, and I could feel his eyes on my back as I walked. I grabbed a soda and he took it from my hand.
“Allow me,” he said as he popped the top and handed it back. “Thanks,” I took a sip and gulped hard.
“I’m glad I chose this costume because tonight must be my lucky night. I did not realize you would be here, let alone that you were speaking to me again,” he said crossing his arms, waiting.
I looked down, “Well…what can I say. I am a sucker for leprechauns.”
I looked him over. He was wearing a top hat with a large four leaf clover glued to the front, a green long sleeve shirt, and a plastic bead necklace that had a pot of gold charm on the end. He looked charming and handsome, an irresistible combination. He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Will you be disappearing at midnight again, like Cinderella? I would just like to prepare myself for Monday.”
I bit my lip, and the guilty pit in my stomach churned. I had been so busy thinking about myself these past months; I tried not to think of how my sudden change of heart had affected Liam.
His expression showed what --panic, fear, sadness, anticipation? -- as he waited for my answer. I couldn’t let my supernatural stalker dictate my life anymore. I had never felt unsafe with Liam, the exact opposite in fact.
“I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. You did nothing wrong, and I would like to be friends. I would give you a hug but I think I would get glitter make-up all over you.” I held my breath, waiting for his reaction.
He sighed, “I’ll brave it,” and he uncrossed his arms pulling me into his chest. My ear rested on his heart and I took a deep breath as he held me. I could have stayed that way for the rest of the night letting the energy blanket me in warmth. Friends don’t typically hug for longer than five seconds, so I reluctantly pulled away.
We went back to the group to find Kayla next to the fireman deep into a flirtatious conversation, and Morgan was occupied with someone as well. I faced Liam and we talked for the rest of the night, catching up. It felt good to have him back in my life. It felt safe.
I wanted to tell him about my stalker and explain everything that had been happening, but something was holding me back. Maybe he could protect me or help me in some way. I kept my mouth shut, though, it all sounded so crazy. I was starting to think I was somehow imagining things, that my strange abilities could be causing mind glitches, creating delusions.
As we said goodnight, Liam made me promise that I would speak to him on Monday. I assured him he had nothing to worry about, and I even offered to buy him breakfast after class as an apology. He agreed and gave me one more lingering hug before parting ways. I still didn’t know if I could be with him, but I did know that I wanted him in my life one way or another.
Chapter 16: Background
I could not wait to have breakfast with Liam. I was practically giddy. We were no longer sitting next to each other in class and I regretted that I had made such a rash decision. He waited for me by the doors and we walked to the café
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