I stood there in a daze, discreetly pinching myself on the arm a couple times. Nope, don't feel the pinches. It felt as though my entire body was numb. So, I decided to take it one step further by lifting my hand up and slapping myself gently across the face. I made sure to slap the opposite cheek Jewel did, since that one was still sore.
Did I honestly just hear what I thought I heard or is my mind playing an awful trick on me? Pfft, I could've sworn I heard Tristan utter, 'I love you, Lise.' But, then again I think I knocked my head a little too roughly on the hardwood floor of his foyer while wrestling that bully.
Maybe he said 'Above you, Lise' I thought as I suddenly turned my head upward to stare at the sky. Is he warning me of something coming my way? Nope, not that either. Seems the sky is bright blue, a few puffy white clouds were scattered here and there. Nothing seems to be falling from above.
His chuckle caused me to scrunch my eyebrows at him in confusion. Did I miss a joke or something? What's so damn funny? Tristan's fingers worked their way slowly from my hands, trailing up my arms, across my shoulders, and brushed my cheeks softly. My body shuddered on its own at the fiery trail he left on his way. Cupping my face in each of his hands he tilted my face up towards his own.
Those slate colored eyes taking on a more ashy appearance, the sun reflected off of them causing a sparkle. A smirk tugged playfully at his lips, he was amused by this whole situation. "No, you're not imagining things." He barely whispered the words again, but they echoed in my ears loud and clear.
"I know we've been neighbors our entire lives, never really getting to know one another, but from what you've allowed me to know of you in this short period of time." He admitted inhaling deeply. "I can tell you, they'll be no other. I love you, Lise."
My own breath caught in my throat, it felt like I was suffering from anaphylactic shock. I was having difficulty breathing. It was like my esophagus was closing up on me. The little bit of air that I did have in my lungs was instantly stolen away by Tristan in a passionate kiss. Maybe he felt the need to kiss me in order to shock me back to life.
His fingers tangled into my probably already messed up hair. I'm sure I have knots and tangles galore from rolling around in that fight. Tristan's other hand found it's way to my lower back, drawing me in closer to him. Our bodies flushed against one another as my hand found it's way to his muscular chest.
Yes, I'm a complete pervert. What? I'm not ashamed to admit it! You're damn Skippy if you think I'm taking full advantage of every opportunity to touch those washboard abs and rock solid chest. My other hand gripped his biceps tightly, afraid if I let go I just might possibly land head first onto the grass.
Tugging myself away from our heated lip lock to allow myself some oxygen to my brain, I greedily swallowed down a few gulps of air. Our faces were still within inches of one another as I finally decided it was time...to grow some hypothetical balls and tell him how I really felt.
"I..." My entire body was shaking with nervousness. "I love you too Tristan." There, I finally admitted it, happy? Next thing I know, he let out a growl of excitement and my feet were off the ground. I was starting to get severe motion sickness as Tristan spun me around in vicious circles.
"Umm, not to rain on your parade." I heard Anya's voice somewhere off to the left or was it the right. Ugh my stomach. "I'd stop spinning her and put her down if you don't want throw up all over you."
Tristan immediately stopped, but my head was still spinning around and around. I know you can all relate. C'mon we all know we've done this before, when you spin around and around until you're so dizzy you can't take it anymore and end up falling on the ground in a fit of giggles. Well, this is I minus the fit of giggles.
For some reason, I can ride the highest roller coaster and not be scared. Ask me to go on one of those little carnival rides that spins in circles and I'll run the other way. The freaking merry-go-round causes me to hurl chunks! Of course Anya's witnessed all of this first hand having the duty of being my best friend. She's been the one holding back my hair while I became one with the toilet bowl.
"You ok?" The first Tristan asked with concern. "I'm sorry I got carried away." The second Tristan admitted guiltily. Woo-hoo, there's two of him and they're all mine!
"I think I need to lie down please." I groaned while pinching the bridge of my nose and shutting my eyes tightly.
Once again my feet left the ground as I was carried bridal style, I rested my head against his comfy chest. Mm, I can so get used to this. Even the slightest movement of Tristan's steps caused the contents of my stomach to swirl around. I heard the opening of door and then felt as Tristan kicked it shut.
Breathing in deeply I tried my best to fight the urge to vomit. He'd really have to love me a lot if I accidentally throw up on him. I was placed down on a nice fluffy surface, opening my eyes up I realized I was in Tristan's bed. I could get used to this king sized bed...'it's so fluffy I'm gonna die!' I cracked myself up thinking of Agnes from Despicable Me.
"I really am sorry." Tristan's face solemn face appeared as he hovered above me. "Do you need me to get you anything?"
"It's ok, not your fault I get motion sickness." I waved dismissively with a small smile. "I'll be fine in a few minutes once the feeling goes away." I reassured him trying to make him feel better.
"You should go back to the meeting." I urged, not wanting him to miss out on anything just because I wasn't feeling well.
Tristan shook his head defiantly, "No I'm staying here with you." He replied stubbornly crawling into the bed next to me. His arm slid in underneath me cuddling me closer to his body. I closed my eyes treasuring our closeness as I tried to match my breathing with his and before I knew it, I ended up drifting off to sleep.
The next few days passed by in a blur and without incident. Seems like Jewel and her gang decided to back off. For now at least. She’s probably too busy sulking in the fact that her punishment would last a full month. Not only does she have to clean up trash in the wooded areas, she also has to check on the elder wolves of the pack by running their errands. She’s banned from all pack parties and to top it all off, she’s grounded for a month by her Dad.
Everything between Tristan and I was just perfect, that is until Friday afternoon came around and he started acting strange. I was sitting on the bleachers watching the guy's soccer practice. Anya was driving over right after school to spend some time with Luke before we go out with Troy for his birthday.
"Hey toots." Anya called out walking up to where I was seated, I didn't even notice her arrival. "What's shaking?"
"Hey chickie, not much. Just finishing up my homework." I answered hunched over my textbook scribbling furiously into my binder. I was trying to finish my anatomy homework before practice is over.
"So, where do you think we should take Troy tonight?" She inquired crossing her legs and leaning all the way back so that her elbows rested on the bench above us.
My parents actually allowed us to have a slumber party for Troy's birthday weekend. Instead of wanting to spend it with all of his friends, back at home, Troy said he’d much rather spend the entire weekend with his best girls. So, Troy’s coming over my house to sleep over for the weekend along with Anya of course. We'll all camp out in my living room. Ever since I told Tristan the plan on the way to school, he's been acting...off. Totally not like himself and I was a bit worried.
"I think we should just stay in and chill tonight. We'll take him out tomorrow for his birthday." I suggested closing my binder and shoving it into my messenger bag. Yay, finally done!
"Yea, that sounds like a plan. We can watch movies and give him a facial. I'm sure he misses having us unclog his pores and tweezing his uni-brow away." Anya chuckled with a snort.
Anya received a text from Troy stating he’s waiting outside my house in the driveway. Gee, anxious much? He's way early, we told him be over at five. It's only four, guess we'll have to leave the guys considering there's still a half hour of practice left. Walking down the bleachers
to the gate, I leaned over and signaled Tristan over. Coach gave them a break to run to the bathrooms.
"Hey, everything ok?" Tristan asked as he ran up to me, Luke was right by his side as he came over to greet Anya with a kiss.
"Yea, it's just that Troy is outside my house waiting on us. So we're going to go." I answered chewing on the inside of my cheek. His expression didn't look too happy at hearing that, but hey what do I expect? I was leaving him to go hang out with his arch nemesis. "I'll call you later, ok? I love you." I said with a small smile. I leaned on the gate for balance as I stretched to give him a goodbye kiss.
I won't see him tonight, because he said his Dad wanted to go over some things with he and Luke regarding the pack and their responsibilities. Besides, this weekend is Troy's weekend. So instead of being the lovey-dovey mated up couples, we were going to hang out with our best bud.
Tristan nodded and responded with an "Ok, love you too." He kissed me back before coach blew the whistle and yelled at them about getting their tails over there to finish practice.
Anya, Troy, and I were standing around the kitchen-island scarfing down the pizza we ordered for dinner when the doorbell rang. Dropping my slice down onto my paper plate, I wiped my hands off with a napkin and made my way to answer the door. Standing in the doorway, each with a cheesy grin and a sleeping bag tucked comfortably under their arm were Tristan and Luke.
Chapter 25: Slumber Party