Bittersweet - Chapter Two

It was a pendant in the shape of a half star… and it was shining a strange faint light. Why would he give me something like this? We barely even know each other. Today was really full of surprises.

"Mark…I…can’t really…"

"What? You don’t like it?" He interrupted.

"No…that’s not it."

"Good, cause I don’t want to throw it away."

I sighed, and looked at Chris. He was looking blankly out of the circular window. I found everything unusually peaceful… from the creamy colored walls, and floor to the warm cozy furniture.

"Wanna go out later?" Chris asked after a moment of silence. I nodded. We sat together after bringing in soda, and a few other snacks. We talked a lot… mostly about college. I already had my future planned out. About an hour or so later, we walked around outside. A little farther away, there were houses and I could see a few people coming in and out. It’s probably a village. The women were wearing big dresses and the men…wore formal clothes…well, at least most of them.

The place was filled with flowers, apple trees, oranges, pear, and lots of others. The sky was filled with clouds now… and I think I saw a cloud in the shape of a heart.

"If you’re lucky enough you might see a rainbow," Chris said as he held my hand and squeezed it. "It’s about time we get back. I’ll bring you back here again someday but we have to get back now..."

I frowned, and tried to run off but he was too fast. He caught my arm and pulled me into a tight hug. "Next time, I’ll show you everything… but you can’t get home late on school days especially if you have a quiz," he whispered into my ear sending a ticklish feeling through my body.

"Ok, ok I get it," I pouted. I was thinking of running off when he wasn’t looking.

He stared at me for a moment then an evil smile formed across his pretty face. Before I could understand what he was trying to do, he had me carried princess style and wouldn’t let me off despite my protests.

"Chris!! Put me down. This is embarrassing!" I hissed. He just smiled. "I won’t let you run off." Sometimes, I just can’t understand how he can know me more than I know myself.

I’m actually starting to think he can read my mind…

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I woke up early the next morning to the sound of my cell phone ringing. "Wake up sleepy head. I’ll be over in a few more minutes," Chris said before hanging up.

UGH! School and I have a quiz on top of that. I don’t have to worry about that though. Chris helped me study all night which is why I don’t feel like getting up now. The past few days I’ve become really lazy. But I was in a good mood nonetheless.

I quickly put on my school uniform, brushed my hair and packed my stuff. By the time I was done, Chris was here. Mum was still asleep, and dad was on another business trip. I walked out into the cold air. It was still a little dark. Winter was already here.

"You ready to go?" Chris asked as I linked my arm around his.

"Yea… let’s get some donuts first. I’m really hungry," I said.

"I’m driving then."

"Lazy ass…" I muttered. He put a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing. Instead, he cleared his throat and showed me a nonchalant look.

"Coffee?"

"Cappuccino," I said as we got into his car. He drove to the nearest coffee shop and ordered donuts with Cappuccino. To my surprise, he drove us to the seaside which was 15 minutes away from school by car. I shook my head at him and he smiled.

"Don’t worry. We’re already 30 minutes early," he snorted.

My eyes widened and for the first time that day, I looked at the time. 6:30 AM…Oh god! No wander I still felt so sleepy. I could see him smiling smugly.

"Christopher!" I groaned.

I got out of the car and slammed it shut. It was way colder here and I had to hold my coffee close to keep warm. The wind was also much stronger here, and there were strong waves.

"I’m sorry… are you angry?" Chris was standing right behind me now…his big warm hands around my shoulder. I shook my head and took a sip of my coffee. Chris turned me so I was facing him. He touched my face and I jumped away.

"You have coffee foam on your face," he looked hurt, which made me feel really bad.

I tried licking it off. Just then a blast of wind caused my skirt to almost go up. I shrieked and as stupid as it sounds… I dropped the coffee, jumped back and kept my skirt down with both hands. Chris was beside me in a flash. He put one hand around my waist and the other held my hand as he licked the coffee foam close to my lips off. I was struggling hard to keep my skirt down with one hand.

The cold wasn’t helping much… and him doing that just made my heartbeat like crazy. My whole body seemed to go hot and cold. His tongue moved to my lips and then he gave me a gentle kiss.

"Sandra…" he said breathlessly after pulling back. He sounded hurt and desperate. It made me frown. "Sandra," he said my name once again this time he said it more naturally.

"Hmm?"

"Don’t wear short skirts again… especially during winter," he said before walking back to the car. "Come on… we’re going to be late."

Is he for real? I thought he was gonna confess his feelings to me again… well you see it was really intense, but it was only my skirt that was bothering him?

"Hey, wait up!" I called out. I think I’ll have to wear stockings since I can’t really change the school uniform. I stared at him the whole way to school, but he didn’t even look at me once… not even when we stopped at a traffic light.

11: 40 PM…

School’s almost over. I packed my stuff and got a few things from my locker before walking out. What surprised me was to see Mark standing at the gates, but there was no sign of Chris. Mark waved at me and flashed me a cute smile.

I cautiously walked towards him and asked for Chris. "Oh, he had something to do so he might be back a little late."

I frowned. What has he been so busy with for the past few weeks? "Where is he?"

He shrugged. "Don’t ask me. I’m just here on his order to take you home safely."

"Who exactly are you? His slave, friend or servant?" I jokingly asked.

"I’m Marcus Jameson… and he wishes he was my friend. I’m just helping him since I owe him something."

"Owe him what?"

He seemed uncomfortable when I asked him that so I wasn’t surprised when he changed the topic. "The pendant I gave you, why aren’t you wearing it? You have to have it on at all costs…"

I nodded… not wanting to argue with him any farther…