Chapter 25: Why Are You Here?
"Why are you shouting?"
Talia tried to get out of his grip and get up from the couch but his hold was tight and she couldn’t get up.
"What do you want, Fred? My back hurts! Throwing me like that... I’m not young anymore, am I? " she stopped struggling and looked at the man on top of her, pouting.
In the past they used to wrestle on his bed... They called that game something like...Throw wrestling or something. They played it back in high school in his place. They would try to push each other down, trying to figure out who is stronger. It was an extremely touchy-feely game and as teenagers of opposite gender that game did have a mood of ambiguity to it. And, of course he always won. He’d do the same thing back then too. Grab her by the waist, lift her up entirely and then would push her on his bed. Then he’d pin her down and... She didn’t want to think about it now.
She won once kicking him in the nuts and he fell down himself and she declared victory not realising she’d have actually killed that boy. She never tried that ever again seeing the pain he was in.
Arthur saw her eyes that made him remember the past and composed himself. Back then he has touched her everywhere. They had a pretty amorous relationship but there was a line they never crossed. They never confessed and never went further than kissing and touching.
No one stopped them from confessing but when they almost crossed the line once, it was Cyrus who barged in unannounced and pulled them apart. It was an extremely scary and annoying experience, giving them creeps realising they are being watched constantly.
Talia saw Arthur’s eyes softening and his hold on her wrist loosened. She got her hand out of his grip and gently traced it on his forehead to pull back his fringes to have a good look at his face.
She realised he has changed a lot in ten years. He’s gotten taller and more... Manlier. The boyish face he used to have now has changed to that of a man with a bit rough cheek and more facial hair. He used to have freckles and now it is gone. His lips... They are more attractive now.
As Talia was quietly observing the man above her she felt his face zooming closer to her and she tried to push him away. She knew he wants to kiss her and she knew she is giving mixed signals. She should have gotten out of his embrace now and not touching his face.
She tried to get out and tried to push him away but a big, warm hand grabbed her hands at the wrists and placed them above her head as his lips ended up on hers.