Chapter 11
999words
I did, wiping my tears away.
"If he ever hurts you again, you let me know. I'm your friend now. I'll be there for you now."
He took me into his arms and hugged me. He smelled so good and I felt protected in some sort of way.
I already trusted him, though I hadn't known him for long. Yes, I was naïve and maybe trusted people way to fast. But something about Shane made me feel like I could tell him a lot, which I already had.
I felt protected and that was when I realized that no other man had held me this close before. None had even really touched me apart from Josh. Shane had not just touched me, he'd hugged me. I surprisingly felt more comfortable than I'd ever been. His hugs were tender. Josh's hugs were cold and never lasted ten seconds.
I opened my eyes in embarrassment when I'd realized I'd been standing there in his arms, tight and cozy for up to a minute already. I panicked. It wasn't right. I abruptly got out of his grip, more nervous and shy. I looked at the sand.
"Um, I guess we should go home now." I stammered and looked at him. He smirked, then held the side of my face with a hand.
"You'll have to get used to it."
"To what?" I asked, confused.
"Other guys being good with you. Me being good with you."
He was referring to the hug and my reaction. I looked at my fingers. He smiled.
"It's fine, Shayenne. Let me take you back."
***
After that night, Shane and I would meet more. He was so friendly and annoying at the same. You couldn't lie to him. Not at all. The more I tried to avoid him, the more he made me get fond of him.
-
One day after a class at TUOIFA, I was last to leave class. He'd taught us that day. He was still seated and was packing his stuff. I passed by and he held both my hands to my surprise. I turned to him. He looked straight into my eyes, his hands holding mine firmly, then said:
"Shayenne, I hope you consider me a friend. Something tells me you're trying to avoid me. Sorry to disappoint you if it's the case. When I appreciate something or somebody, I don't let it go easily."
That whole sentence that haunted my thoughts for days. He appreciated me? The thought had flattered me but at the same time I felt like he was still dangerous. A bad boy I thought of avoiding. True that I'd appreciated his comfort that night but I was being careful not to get too close.
Honestly, I felt strange. I liked Sloane. But I seemed to be closer to her boyfriend than I was to her. That was what made me try to avoid him. I had to avoid possible trouble. She wasn't disturbed but I was though. I did my best to avoid Shane but apparently with someone like him, you were wasting your time.
**
One day, I and Keisha went shopping at a fancy mall. It was a Saturday. I'd tried my best not to answer Shane's calls of the past weeks and luckily he was too busy to pass by.
After we'd shopped, we left the mall. To my great surprise, we met Shane at the exit, about to enter the mall. My mouth slightly dropped open. He smirked at my reaction and turned to Keisha.
"Hi, Keisha" he greeted.
"Hi, Shane." she smiled and turned to me, "I'll be waiting for you down the street."
I was nervous.
"Wait, I'm coming with you." I was about to follow Keisha but Shane grabbed my arm and pulled me to face him. I gulped.
"Are you avoiding me?" he raised that brow at me. He was even more handsome.
"Um–" there was no need to lie, "–maybe."
He smirked at me.
"Then you'll follow me for a talk."
"But Keisha–"
"Shh." he hushed me to my surprise and then turned to Keisha, "I'd like to take Shayenne along with me to my place. If you don't mind."
My eyes widened.
'His place?'
"Wh– what?"
"No problem! Bye!" Keisha quickly replied and almost immediately dropped a cab
"Keisha!" I called but she'd already entered the car and I watched it drive off. I was speechless. She'd just left me. I turned to Shane.
"I'm busy, Shane. I won't come with you." I lied trying to get out of his grip but he pulled me closer instead till my chest hit his. This was the first time he was doing that and it shocked me
"Shane, um...this is inappropriate."
"You think?" he smirked "Do you know what I call inappropriate?" he asked playfully. Shane had the most expensive jokes. I shook my head no.
"Good. This is what I call inappropriate."
Before I could react, he wrapped an arm round my waist and pulled me to him even more till we were tight against each other. I panicked. We were on the sidewalk of a busy street! People were watching us.
"Oh my Gosh! Let me go!" I said in panic, getting out of his grip. He laughed.
"Chill, babe. You know how I am."
"I hate the jokes, Shane."
He smiled
"Okay sweetheart, I'm sorry."
"Please, don't call me names..."
He chuckled.
"Impossible."
I stared at him with mixed feelings of amusement and wonder.
"So, will you follow me?" he asked
"No."
"Should I do something else?"
"No, no, no. It's alright. I'm coming with you."
He smiled, satisfied.
'It's of no harm, follow him. Is it?'
***
Shane's house was a big one, as expected. I couldn't believe my eyes. It was like exactly the celebrity cribs they showed on TV. It had everything.
"Wow. You– you live here alone?" I asked in awe, as I sat down in the huge living room.
