Chapter 6 #2
I turned to Lin. Maybe we could switch seats or she—I sighed, she had turned to Maddox, leaning on his shoulder, and not paying any attention to me. And what could I tell her? Sitting next to Ni made me feel like I was lost in a hot jungle with ants crawling all over me?
Maybe I could escape out into the hall for some fresh air.
But our seats were in the middle of a row.
Meaning I would have to squeeze past strangers in order to leave during intermission.
Not happening. I’d just lean as far as I could toward Lin’s seat.
She was all cuddled up, whispering anyway.
I didn’t want to disturb her time with her boyfriend—I’d never seen them together, and she deserved the moment.
“So, how did you like it?” Ni leaned toward me.
Why was he talking to me? Wasn’t there someone on his other side? I was sure everyone wanted a chat with the hot quarterback, but not me. I strengthened my resolve and swung toward Lin. “How long is intermission?”
She looked at me as if I had grown two heads. Or maybe she was trying to figure out why I looked like I’d been in a sauna. “About fifteen minutes.”
I groaned as I watched the crowded aisles. There would be no escape that way. Lin was already snuggled back with her boyfriend. They did look cute together. This would be the longest fifteen minutes of my life. My fingers itched for my idea book, but it was in my backpack at home.
Ni continued to struggle through a conversation about the play, and I gave only grunts in response.
I scanned the room as if looking for someone. Anything to avoid his gaze. Please stop looking at me.
“What do you do for fun?”
I about jumped out of my skin when his fingers touched my arm. I snatched my arm away and pressed it into my lap, willing Lin to start a conversation with me. My gaze drilled into the back of her head to no avail, and my arm burned.
I hoped my rudeness would make him turn to his other companion, but it was a no-go.
I could feel him staring expectantly, unafraid of the awkward silence.
My stomach swooped. I couldn’t handle this.
He may have looked angelic, but his touch was downright deadly.
Taking charge was the only way I could distract him—and myself.
“Um, thanks again for the power supply. It was exactly what I needed.” If only I were at home with my computer right now, playing COTSA instead of trapped in this nightmare.
His smile softened, and I started shivering.
Not from cold. I was on the verge of destroying my friendships when the lights finally turned off.
A silence settled over the audience once more.
And a modicum of relief filled me. On stage, the men reached for Helena.
Both magically forced to love the single woman.
I recoiled on her behalf. I could feel her emotions.
It appeared as if they were mocking her.
Making fun of her love. Though I had personal experience with people falling in and out of love that fast, it seemed unbelievable.
But hadn’t RogueStriker also done something similar to me?
My eyes were drawn to the slender, strong fingers tapping on the muscular leg so close to my own.
If his hand slid off his jean-clad thigh, it could land on my own.
I swallowed and forced myself to follow the actors.
Ew! That super-controlling king was making a mess of everyone’s lives just to get what he wanted.
I was offended on their behalf. My fingers curled into fists.
Ni released a breath that puffed across my ear. “He’s the worst.”
The lights were out. He didn’t need to force himself to talk to pass the time.
Why was he whispering to me as if he knew me?
As if he were friends with me? The breath that his words rode on tingled all the way down to my stomach.
I was unconsciously leaning toward him, about to agree, when I pulled back.
He was too inviting. I was too weak. I refused to make a commotion and interrupt Charisse’s play.
I rubbed my palms on my jeans again. I could feel him shift in his chair.
Once again, no squeak there. Why did he have to sit right next to me?
Out of all the places in the theater? Charisse and the actor with a horse head were leaning on a bed that was somehow angled, so it gave the impression of them lying down, yet they were completely visible to the audience. They lay close together...touching.
Ni relaxed his arm on the single tiny armrest between us.
All the hair on my arm stood up as if he had placed some sort of magnet there, and my arm felt pulled in his direction.
Our skin was only an inch or so from pressing together.
I sucked in a breath and put my hand back in my lap, creating as much space as possible.
Why was this play so long? I was going to have a heart attack before it was over.
I checked my watch, covering the light with one hand so I wouldn’t disturb others in the theater.
I’d been sitting for over two hours! Maybe I could escape to the bathroom.
But if it was too early in the play and if I didn’t give Lin a good enough reason, she would tattle on me to Charisse.
They would both be so disappointed. Ugh.
Maybe I could tell her it was that time of the month.
No, she already knew my schedule. Maybe I could tell her I had stomach trouble.
I really did. My stomach was squirming so much, I was surprised it wasn’t visible.
Oh, finally, the wrap-up—I hoped. The lovers were caught all draped across one another.
I willed myself not to think about how close these seats were and what it would be like to have his hand draped across my shoulder.
He shifted again, relaxing his legs, and his knee almost brushed my thigh.
Ack! Creak. I shifted again, trying to angle my body away from his.
Would this torture never end? Kissing! So much kissing!
Who was Charisse kissing? I hoped it was just stage kissing.
But now my own lips were buzzing. I bit my bottom one, trying to break the spell.
I wasn’t my dad. I was in control. Not my body.
I could see Ni’s lips moving out of the corner of my eye. As if he were mouthing the words along with the actors.
Finally, dancing! Everyone was dancing, and Charisse’s Titania was blessing the lovers, who were disappearing backstage while the other fairy spoke...
Could this truly be the end? It sounded like a wrap-up to me.
I couldn’t take it anymore. If I waited until the lights came up, the aisles would be packed.
Grabbing my jacket and without looking back, I climbed over Lin with an “I’m not feeling well,” so I was keeping my promise.
Then somehow squeezed past the wall that was Maddox, bursting out into the darkened aisle and toward freedom.