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“Because the whole contest was unfair to you, you skipped, like, half of the days,” he explains. I cross my arms, but he just smiles. “Don’t worry, you were only thirty minutes behind me, you can still be considered the winner.”
I stand up and hold the book. “Well, if you say so. Your words not mine.”
He laughs, also standing up with his book in his hands. I walk to the entrance of the library and drop my book in the return area. Elias does the same, then closes the little door.
We return to the shelves, scanning more books. Not that I’ll need one. I won’t be back after today. But I play along with Elias as he searches for a book. He’s in the fantasy section, once again.
“I can’t believe winter break is here already,” he says. Neither can I. It’s phenomenal how fast time goes. A month and a half. It all felt like a day.
“I know, right?” I reply.
“What are you doing for winter break?” he asks, his back to mine. My break is full. Completely. I mean, an event like this on its own would be a lot. Now, I have two people accompanying me, if not more. I am responsible for them and their safety, and also have to ensure they’re having fun. Luckily, I’ll have Oliver with me.
“I have plans. A lot. Might be going out of the city,” I say, vaguely. It’s not like I can tell him I’m going to New York for an event I’ve been working on for the past month and a half.
He turns around to look at me. “So, I guess we won’t be seeing you,” he points out.
I grin. If only he knew, he’s stuck with me for the whole break. “No, I guess not.” I reply, still looking away. I feel his gaze on me for a while, before he breaks the silence.
“Well, as a farewell gift, can I ask you a question?” he says.
I turn around now, glancing at him before turning back around. “Sure.”
“It’s a bit weird.”
“Okay. I’m ready,” I tell him, turning completely around. We’re now facing each other, distanced by the bookshelves. His arm is still held up at his stomach, unable to move. I wonder how hard it is using only one hand all the time.
“How do you always have your hair down and never get bothered by it?” I stop and laugh at his question. Both my eyebrows raise. “I mean, you never have it up,” he points out before taking a step closer, closing in on the space between us. “How do you not get bothered when it’s all around your face?” His right hand moves up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
The touch of his skin on my face causes my whole body to flutter. He looks into my eyes, and I don’t know whether my heart stops, or if it’s beating too fast. He’s standing close, too close, and heat floods my body. Why is it suddenly so much warmer than before?
The smile on my face seems to have disappeared, as I’m unable to control my expression. “I guess I eventually got used to it,” I utter, hesitant with my words. My body stumbles back, pressing into the edges of the shelf and tilting my head up slightly. I sense his breath on my skin, heating it up more and more.
His fingers dig slightly deeper in my hair, raising my head even further against the wood. Fire ignites in my body as his eyes are glued to mine, and it’s as if everything else around us ceases to exist. It’s just him and I, so close together. I can’t think of anything else; my mind is empty. Everything is silent around us, making the sound of my heartbeat so vivid.
His brown eyes fall, barely, to something else. My legs feel weak as I stand in front of him. I’m breathing heavily, yet I feel out of breath. I look into his eyes, at him. His soft brown hair. I raise my left hand, stroking my fingers through the strands. It’s like silk on my skin. He tilts his head to the side a bit before raising his eyes to mine again, bringing me back to reality.
I drop my arm, letting it fall onto his shoulder. My gaze drops to the part my hand is on. It trails toward his neck, and my thumb lines the skin on his collar bone. I catch the corner of his lips curve upward as he stares at me. It’s like time stops.
“Violet,” he says, almost whispering. I try to speak but can’t. No words come out of my mouth. No voice. My mouth only opens. He’s so close.
“Yes?” I’m able to mutter, my voice breathy.
And before he’s able to say anything else, his lips fall onto mine, and my heart explodes. My eyes close at the touch. He strokes my lips softly, sending waves of heat through me. Everything around us is nonexistent. All I can think about is him. This feeling inside me, one he’s giving me. My hand falls from his shoulder, onto his chest. I grab onto his shirt, digging my nails into the fabric.
He pulls my head closer, pressing his mouth deeper. My lips part, and my whole body tingles. His scent surrounds me, and it’s the only thing I can smell. Every time I think he’s pulling away, he presses his lips back onto mine. I’m breathless, fueled only by the air he’s giving me. By the taste of his lips. I can’t pullmyself away. I don’t want to. I want him here forever, kissing me until I’m out of breath.
His lips part from mine, but he keeps his face close to mine. I open my eyes to meet his again. I’m breathing, trying to catch my breath. Trying to grasp what just happened. My lips are still marked by his, longing for more. But with the small distance between us, everything around us starts to clear up. I kissed Elias Miller.
The sentence distorts in my head, and I realize what just happened. Everything comes back to me. I release the grip I have on his shirt, trying to take a step back before I realize I can’t. Elias notices, dropping his hand from my neck and stepping back.
I kissed Elias!
No, no, no. No, this can’t be happening. This couldn’t have happened. All my thoughts tower over me, almost making me dizzy. I hold on to the edge of the shelf behind, holding myself up. A sense of panic starts growing inside of me.
“I-I need to . . .” I’m unable to continue my sentence before running out of the small space and back to the reading space.
“Violet, wait!” I hear Elias call, following after me. But I’ve already grabbed my bag, running outside the library. I don’t stop or turn around. I continue walking as fast as possible, trying to get as far away as possible. I’m still breathing heavily.
