Chapter Eleven

"Paris? Is that you?" I cursed under my breath at my failed attempt to sneak past the dining room without being heard.

I knew I was late for dinner. Really late. So I wanted to sneak off to my room and come down in pyjamas as if I'd been home for a while. But of course, despite my tiny frame, my heavy feet alerted everyone.

Reluctantly, I shuffled my way back towards the dining room's entrance, where my parents and sister were already halfway through their meals. It looked lovely, but my already filled tummy protested against having more food.

"Hey." I waved awkwardly as they all gazed at me. My sister, Cynthia, had a teasing smirk on her face, as both my parents eyed me in question.

"And where have you been all evening, young lady?" my dad asked, and I almost winced at the sharpness in his tone.

"I um... " I knew I couldn't lie. The oversized jacket on my shoulders was obviously not mine, and I was sure that there was a pulsating red love bite at the base of my neck.

"She's been out with that boy again. He goes to Hamilton High and he's her new booooyfriend," my sister drawled in a sing-song voice as she said 'boyfriend'. I threw her a glare.

"What are you? six? And he is not my-"

"You've been spending an awful lot of time with this boy, Paris. Is he a good influence on you?" My mother's eyes darted to my neck quickly before finding my face again. I involuntarily used my hand to hide the mark, as I prepared myself an answer.

"He is a nice person, mom. If you are having doubts about me hanging out with him, then you shouldn't." I felt quite satisfied with my answer. There really was no need for them to get all worked up.

Fabian and I were just getting to know each other more. Once, sometimes more than once, we may find ourselves making out heavily for a minute or two, but that was all.

My mother raised an eyebrow at me, but unlike my dad, she seemed playful. "I see. Is he the reason I haven't seen my daughter in two weeks?"

"And Colton stopped by today," my dad added. "Just like the rest of us, he couldn't reach your cell." My heart ached at this.

I admit, I had been spending less time with Colton, and it was causing a strain on our relationship. But I couldn't help the feeling of every second of wanting to be with Fabian.

"Wh-what did you tell him?" I asked with nervousness dripping from my voice. My dad threw me a stern look before replying.

"I told him the truth of course. I told him you were out with God knows who, and you probably won't be home until--well--now! He even waited a couple of hours. Are you really willing to give up a connection so strong for a temporary fling with this mysterious guy?"

I winced again as I involuntarily flinched back. I saw my mom holding onto his arm, whispering something to him about being nice. But the damage was already done. I was offended.

My dad had always liked Colton and saw him as the perfect match for me. But it hurt that he didn't even know Fabian, and he was already making assumptions.

I know I hadn't spoken to them about him, so 'mysterious guy' was probably appropriate in their eyes. I also had been spending every free second with Fabian, so he wasn't lying about that. I have been ditching my old friends lately, and I'll work on that.

But temporary fling?

"I'll be in my room if you need me," I simply stated, not wanting to argue. "I already ate."

Without waiting for replies or protests, I ran to my room and slammed the door shut. I immediately shrugged Fabian's jacket off and shoved my feet in my bunny slippers. My hair had really grown a bit over the weeks, so I was able to pull it into a short ponytail as I ventured to the bathroom to get a shower.

I decided that I'd get it cut again in my shoulder-length bob, since Fabian seemed to like the look on me.

Gosh, Fabian.

He invaded my every thought, influenced my every decision, and stole away my freedom piece by piece.

But I liked it. I liked it too much too, it seemed. After our kiss two weeks ago, I knew that there was no going back. I was falling, and I was falling hard and fast. If I'm not careful, I might start to tumble and eventually end up with a broken neck.

But hell, every time it occurred to me, I was willing to take a broken neck if it meant getting closer to him.

Yep. I'm a simp for Fabian.

Every day I learn something new about him. He has an exterior that will fool anyone, but his inside is so warm and sweet. Don't get me wrong, he has a dark side too, and it was incredibly alluring though annoying at times. I've learnt what topics made him defensive, what topics made him incredibly cocky and annoying, and what made him...bad.

God, his bad side. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as the image of brooding eyes and a teasing smirk formed behind my eyes.

He would run his hands through his dark hair, call me by that stupid nickname that had oddly grown on me, and run a daring finger over my cheek, leaving me shivering involuntarily under the tingles.

And then I'd be a melted mess.

The water in the tub caught my attention from the corner of my eyes, as I quickly ran over it to stop it from overflowing.

"Shit, shit, shit." I cursed myself lowly for not paying attention, as the tub was now filled for my bath.

Sighing, I quickly stripped myself from my garments, and the sight of the love bite on my neck popped even more like a cheery.

I ran my finger over it, remembering the moment we shared not too long ago.

***

"Fabian? If the sun is in space, why is there light on earth and not in space?" I asked as we casually strolled towards my car.

He stopped dead in his tracks as he threw me a glare. "Paris, why do you ask the weirdest questions in the strangest times?"

"I don't know," I told him honestly. Some odd things always popped in my head, and I have no clue why. "But why?"

He looked as if he was in deep thought, as he slowly slurped on his slushy. "The earth is in space, isn't it?"

I couldn't help the chuckle that rumbled from my chest, as I playfully hit his arm. "That's not what I meant, silly. But whatever."

He didn't reply as we finally arrived at my car. I placed my own slushy in my cup holder as I turned to face him with my hand outstretched.

"I need my keys. I'm driving tonight." I tried to sound as stern as possible. But he only saw me as a helpless kitten it seems.

He clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth as he shook his head. "Nuh-uh, Skates. You refuse to ride my bike, so I'll be driving."

"That has nothing to do with it. I will have to drop you home first before I can go home." I pointed out clearly. But it was quite clear that he only liked to annoy me.

"Nah."

"Fabian..."

"Paris..." he mimicked.

I huffed, knowing there was no winning in this. And after such a lovely dinner at one of my favourite fast-food restaurants, I decided to prolong the good  moment.

"Fine let's go then." I made a move to go around to the passenger's side, but he held onto my hand before I could round the car.

"You're flustered. Did I upset you?" He smirked teasingly as he leaned me against the car, and caged me in with his arms. "I'm sorry."

His hair waved mockingly in the evening breeze, and the cold of the slush in my body along with his intensifying eyes caused a shiver to run through my spine. He caught the movement, and I watched as he shrugged off his jacket, and wrapped it around my shoulders.

I openly welcomed its warmth, even though the cold wasn't the cause of my shiver, and his hands moved to cage me in again. He eyed me as if I were his prey, who had willingly submitted to his will. My breath hitched as he leaned closer, and even after four times of kissing him, I always grew nervous when I knew it would come.

"You forgive me, Paris?" His voice was barely a husky whisper, and I found myself nodding even though I hadn't been comprehending what he was saying. "Good."

That was the last thing he said, before his lips found mine in another one of his knee-weakening, heart-racing, body-shaking kisses. Yes. They were that good.

His lips moved slowly like it did in our first kiss, compared to how fast and needing the others were. My hands reached up to grip his shirt, demanding him closer to me, and he easily obliged.

I sighed contently as he snaked one arm around my waist to hold me flushed against him, as we slowly, but sweetly kissed in the deserted parking lot. Then, his lips left mine, and I was prepared to deem it as the end of the kiss.

But oh how was I wrong.

I gasped when I felt him nibbling on my ear, as his nails dug deeper in my waist. My breathing was short and swift when he trailed down to my neck, and my eyes literally rolled back at the sensation I felt. No one had ever kissed me like this before. It was indeed new and indeed nice.

I buried my fingers in his hair when he flickered his tongue over the sensitive area, and my toes curled in my sneakers.

"Fabian, wait." The sound of my voice was foreign to my ears, but it only seemed to boost him even more.

I didn't want him to stop, yet I felt like I'd explode in rainbows and skittles if he didn't. But then suddenly, he was back to my lips, this time with the urgency and passion that had become so familiar.

I returned it without hesitation, and by the time we were done, we both were panting hardly.

I gazed into his eyes as they came back to normal from the stormy darkness, and I watched as another smile grew on his lips as they flickered to my neck.

"You have a little something..." He didn't finish, only pointed to my neck.

He left me to conclude the rest. Despite my inexperience, I was old enough to understand what it meant. I had also seen them numerous times on Shanae, whenever she 'hung out' with her boyfriend, Nick, alone.

Despite the darkness of the night, I spun in his arms to see myself in the car glass, and it was indeed bright enough to be noticed. In the background, I could see him smirking, but this time, it looked almost proud.

"Fabian."

He sighed in what seemed like content, as he wrapped his arms around my waist, rested his head on my shoulder, and placed a kiss on my cheek.

"Paris."

***

"Ahh!" I yelped in shock when the blaring sound of my ringtone sounded through the bathroom, pulling me back to reality.

I quickly grabbed it, avoiding the embarrassment I felt about the whole situation of standing naked in the bathroom, daydreaming about the hottest kiss I'd ever had.

Colton's name flashed on the screen of my phone as I sunk myself in the bathtub. I waited until my top half had been fully subdued before answering.

"Hey," I waved awkwardly as I answered the  FaceTime. It had been so long since we actually spoke on a video call, that I felt nervous.

"For heaven's sake, Paris! Where on earth have you been?"

"Nice to see you too, best friend. How have you been?" I retorted sarcastically, and just like that, it felt like old times.

"Don't you dare 'best friend' me, Paris. You've been ghosting me and I want to know why." I rolled my eyes at his blunt exaggeration. He was too much at times.

"I haven't been ghosting you. We see each other at school, right?"

"That's school and it's only for a few minutes until we head off to class again. I'm referring to  after school and on weekends. We don't even talk on the phone anymore. Did you know I came to your house today?" He seemed genuinely upset, and I felt guilty because he was right.

For someone I considered as my best friend, I surely wasn't treating him like he was. "I'm sorry, Col. I guess I got caught up but I promise it won't come between us."

What seemed like realization lit his features as he gazed at me with his mouth agape.

"You've been hanging out with him? Haven't you?"

I gulped. "Who?"

I damn well knew who he meant, but for some odd reason, I felt nervous admitting it to Colton, in comparison to how I boldly told my parents.

"That guy who you were with two weeks ago." He then gasped as if he hit eureka. "Oh my gosh, Paris are you secretly dating him?"

Dating. The word had barely crossed my mind these few weeks. Yes, we hung out every day. We ate together, we enjoyed each other's company and helped each other study for finals since both schools teach the same thing, but we've never really been on a date-date.

Did he even want to date-date me? I'm old enough to understand that he's attracted to me, but does he have the intention to take it to another level? If he does, then he surely hasn't shown it.

And how odd was it that Colton was the one to bring my mind to that thought? Did I even still love Colton as I did a month ago? I think I do. Maybe that's why it felt so hard having this conversation with him.

"No, I'm not dating him." That seemed like the only question I could answer. "And before you say it, no I'm not replacing you."

"You better not." He actually seemed offended. "We're hanging out tomorrow, okay? I miss you. I miss us. And I think you should give him a break for a while."

Oddly, I didn't like the way he said 'him', but I let it go. I really did miss Colton. And since I've been hanging out so much with Fabian, it was only fair to spend a day with my best friend. Maybe the day after, I'll hang out with Shanae too, even though we had most classes together. I had to balance my friendships.

"Sounds good. Since tomorrow's Saturday, I'll see you at 12?"

"12 is good," he agreed contently.

He looked happy, and I liked that. That is until his face grew in horror.

"Paris? What the hell is that thing on your neck-"

I didn't give him a chance to finish, since I quickly hung up the phone. I knew I'd never hear the end of it if I had let him continue his rant.

So as I sat in my bubble bath, I put the day behind me and simply googled how to get rid of a hickey.