13. Chapter 13 #3
“What you did tonight was amazing. I’d daydreamed about you performing for such a long time.
But I never thought I’d get the chance to see it.
You’re amazing, Summoner, like, truly amazing.
When you got up there, did you know what you wanted to perform?
Was it just a spur of the moment? The pitch and tenor of your voice still holds up! Did you—”
“POPPY!” he spat.
My shoulders shout up to my ears at his cutting tone. He had never raised his voice in actual anger at me before. It was sharp in my ears. He turned toward me with the muscles in his jaw noticeably clenched. “Do you ever just stop?”
“…W-What do you mean?” I stammered.
He chuckled and ran a hand across his face. His expression stiff and his eyes hard, he continued, “I mean, you just stumble through life and don’t give a fuck how it affects anyone else.”
My brow knitted together as heat bit my cheeks. “That’s not true.”
“Like hell it isn’t! You waltz around like sparkles come out of your arse and expect the world to pity you and fall at your fuckin’ feet. I didn’t want to be bothered! I was fine living my life on my own terms until you couldn’t just take no for an answer!”
I swallowed.
“OH, so now you have nothing to say?! Every other time you never lack the fuckin’ words, Poppy! What’s stopping you now? Huh?”
Hurt people hurt people…
Logically, I knew that. But it didn’t stop the pain from stabbing me in the gut. Summoner held the sword. All I could do was stand and watch him drag out his sword, leaving me gaping and bleeding out.
“I thought we…I thought we were friends,” I stammered.
“I COULD NEVER BE YOUR FUCKING FRIEND POPPY!” he snarled. “Things were gan alright until ye couldn’t leave well enough alaan! Ah neva would’ve done any of this if it wasn’t for ye! THERE’S NO INTERVIEW! THERE’S NOWT! GET OOT! GET OOT, POPPY! GET OOT!”
That, I understand.
I didn’t make him perform. I didn’t hold a gun to his head.
But my presence pushed him to do something out of character.
I wasn’t a trained psychiatrist. I was a meddler.
An annoying pain in the ass that had overstayed her welcome.
He wanted me gone. I took a cautious step back.
It was heavy, like my foot being swallowed in quicksand.
I kept my eyes trained on him. A final painful reminder.
Summoner’s jaw was tight. His eyes, once hard in anger, were now downcast.
Summoner was never just a rock star to me.
Maybe my fangirl sensibilities had built him up over the years into a myth.
Something larger than life. Out of my daydreams and in the real world, he was human.
He was, to me, a friend. A friend who was so much different from me.
But that was part of the fun. Learning about each other and growing our connection. But now it was done.
I turned and walked towards the front door. Each step felt heavier and slower than the one before. The edges of my vision blurred as I reached the door. There was a boulder of sadness on my chest, and I couldn’t breathe.
I reached for my coat, but the sound of quick, heavy footsteps approaching stopped me.
I barely registered his hand on my shoulder.
My coat crumpled to the floor as he whipped me around and pushed me against the door.
The wood was supportive and hard against my back.
Summoner’s body was hard and supportive against my front.
Calloused fingertips brushed against my jawline, spread across my cheeks, and disappeared into my afro.
Forcefully, he tilted my head back. His eyes pinned me.
Mesmerized me. They always did, but from a distance.
Never this close. Within the pool of green, I could make out flecks of brown and gold that sparkled in fiery brilliance.
God.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t breathe.
I couldn’t think.
And there was no other place I’d rather be.
“I’m going to kiss you now.” Summoner’s voice was a heady roar, powerful and warm.
He took my mouth with his. Possession. The softness of his lips on mine combated an all-consuming desire. The pounding of my heart sent microscopic shakes through me. Summoner filled my senses like a blinding explosion of color and light. I let out a small groan, giving him an entry into my mouth.
Like the lyrics he sang, the way he kissed me was artful.
Wet and warm, his tongue swirled slow, restrained circles around mine.
I grabbed his shoulders. My fingers tensed as I felt the ridge of muscles under his shirt.
His hips bucked against mine. I moaned, forcing a harsh breath out of my nose.
My nipples strained against my bra. Just like his hardness pushed against my hip.
Suddenly, Summoner pulled back, forcing air into my lungs.
I gasped at the abrupt invasion. My knees wobbled, and I fought against gravity to stay upright.
Summoner’s cheeks were tinted pink. A rosy blush.
He brought a finger to his lips. His touch was measured as if he was checking in with reality.
He blinked slowly, and puffy lips curved up into a teasing smirk directed at me.
What are words?