Chapter 8: How long can I fight these feelings?

Kell:

I can’t keep my eyes off, Amara. She is so incredibly beautiful. I knew today was picture day, but I never expected to be greeted by the sight of her perfection. My breath hitches as my eyes roam down her body. The dress she’s wearing looks soft as it drapes across her tall, slim figure. It’s the color of her gorgeous green eyes. Her skin looks even more golden in contrast with the emerald dress. I can’t help but wonder if her whole body is as golden all over. Her legs are an endless temptation, and her luscious lips look completely kissable. I gaze into her doe-like eyes and feel the world fade away.

Wanting close contact, I move nearer and inhale her sweet scent of lavender. My eyes glaze, and my body instantly hardens with need. Amara turns around, surprised to find me so close, and gazes into my eyes. Trying not to let her see how she affects me, I gather my defenses, lick my lips, and whisper. “You look beautiful, beauty queen,” I whisper, never taking my eyes off her plump lips.

Her cheeks flush becomingly, which makes me want her more. My body hardens further when she sighs sweetly and whispers. “You look good too, Kell.”

I don’t know if she notices that she’s staring at my lips. Naughty thoughts on how she can use her mouth and lips rush through my mind. I honestly don’t know why I torture myself this way. All I can think is that simply being near her is the sweetest torture.

Wanting to get more of a response from her, I lean close to her ear and whisper seductively. “What are you wearing under that dress, beauty queen?”

Her expression changes into a glower before she answers. “That is none of your business Kell.”

I want to groan out loud at her breathless reprimand. But instead, I chuckle at her tone and say. “I’ll tell you if you tell me.”

Rolling her eyes, she turns away from me and whispers. “I don’t think you can handle me, Cross.”

Her challenging words ignite me further. Licking my lips, I lift my hand up and turn her to face me. The zing I feel when we touch is almost earth-shattering. It feels like an electric current is coursing through both our bodies. Gasping with surprise, Amara bites her plump lower lip and faces me. Feeling daring, I caress my fingers down her arm and whisper. “Trust me, it would be a pleasure to handle you,” I say mutter seductively.

Instead of the response I expect, she scoffs and pulls her arm away. What is it about this girl that makes me act this way? Any other girl would have fallen at my feet by now, but not Amara. Which pisses me off because she’s the one girl that I want to fall at my feet.

Before I can say another word, Tiffany interrupts. She stops in front of me and pushes her chest out in offering. To any other guy, this would be super hot. But all I feel is annoyed at her interruption. “Hey, Kell, thanks for saving my spot.” She says in a feigned, seductive voice. Unfortunately, it’s lost on me because I don’t feel a thing.

Unaware of my disinterest, Tiffany moves closer and runs her hand down my chest, “Maybe we can take a picture together.”

I want to tell her to get the fuck away from me, but my momma taught me better than that. Instead, I give her a nondescript answer and let her keep talking while I keep my eyes on the girl that haunts my every sleeping and waking moment.

I look at Amara to see what she’d say, but she simply turns away from us without a word. Somehow her indifference pisses me off. It makes me want to push Tiffany back into the hallway and close the door on her face for interrupting us. However, I know that it’s better this way. There’s no way that Amara and I would work out. I just can’t imagine any scenario that would end well for us. Unaware of my distraction, Tiffany continues to talk. I nod and smile at every pause, which seems to appease her.

Amara’s turn finally comes. I move closer to get a better look and groan when the light beams behind her, putting her body on display. She looks like an angel, and I want her. As if sensing my thoughts, Amara looks in my direction. I wink and smile at her, maintaining my flirtatious facade. She pretends not to see me and faces the camera. I want to scream out when some lady places a mirror in front of her and blocks my way. To my horror, her body stiffens and jolts as if being electrocuted. The assistant gasps out in shock and drops the mirror horrified. It would have been comical if it wasn’t so scary. I almost lose it when Amara’s eyes roll to the back of her head and her knees buckle. Thankfully, I catch her before she hits the ground.

“Amara!” I yell out, trying to get a response.

“What’s wrong with her?” The photographer frighteningly asks. Looking down at Amara, I pull her tightly into my arms. She doesn’t notice me at first. Then suddenly, she wraps her arms around my neck and gasps out. “Sophie…Sophie.” She cries out before she falls into a deathly faint. “Amara…Amara!”

Juliet runs in with a worried frown and falls to her knees in front of Amara. “Oh, shoot, Amara.” She pats Amara’s pale cheeks and looks at me. “Let’s get her to the nurse.”

I nod my head. Thankfully, even though she’s pale and ashen, she’s still breathing. Liftin her into my arms, I tuck her head under my chin and rush out of the room.

Juliet shakes her shoulder as we rush to the nurse’s office. “Amara…Amara. Wake up!” She says, sounding panicked. Amara whimpers but does not respond.

Students look on in horror as they watch us make our way down the hallway. Some of them point and whisper quietly, but I’m too worried to care. All I want is for Amara to wake up. Juliet rushes in front of me and opens the nurse’s office door clearing the way for me.

Jaw tight, I lay Amara down on the examination table, never taking my eyes away from her pale face. I feel helpless as I wipe the tears on her cheeks and place my hand back on her chest.

Nurse Donovan comes into the room at that moment and begins to inspect Amara.

“What happened to her?” She asks evenly. That’s one thing about Nurse Donovan, the woman has nerves of steel. I remember last year, one of the basketball players had some kind of heart attack. Everyone was freaked out, but she kept her cool as she did what she could to save him. Thanks to her quick thinking, he lived.

I shrug my shoulders, still confused by what occurred. “I don’t know. We were standing in line to take pictures when her turn came. One moment she’s standing there, and the next moment she falls and starts seizing.”

The nurse quirks a brow and points a light into Amara’s eyes. “She doesn’t seem to be catatonic.” She whispers as she checks a few things. “Was the light shining on her?”

I shrug. “I think it was.”

She straightens up and frowns. “Maybe she suffers from seizures. Do any of you know?”

I shake my head and turn to Juliet, who is shaking her head. “No, she’s never suffered seizures.”

Just then, Amara stirs, sighs deeply, and opens her eyes. She looks like she just woke up. My own personal sleeping beauty. I lean over her chest and push a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Amara, are you okay?”

At first, she doesn’t answer. Instead, she looks around in confusion and whispers hoarsely, “What...?”

She tries to rise up, but I grip her waist and hold her steady. “Amara?”

Her brow furrows in confusion. “I’m fine…Why am I here?” Juliet moves on her other side and lays a hand on her shoulder. “Girl, you had some kind of seizure. Kell had to carry you to the office.”

Amara gasps in horror and gives me an embarrassed look. “I’m fine, guys. It must have been the lights of the camera.”

Juliet releases a relieved sigh and backs away, but I’m not convinced. “You scared the shit out of us, beauty queen,” I whisper gently as I caress my hands down her back comfortingly.

Amara tries to pull away, but I refuse to release her. “Relax, Amara, you were out for a few minutes. Just take a few deep breaths.” I say, still shaken from seeing her pass out in front of me. I nearly lose it when she turns to me, smiles shyly, “I’m fine, Kell.” She says as she tries to push away again.

Shaking my head, I tighten my arms around her and hold her still. “Stop, beauty queen. Let me help you.”

Nurse Donovan chuckles and gives us a bemused grin before she ushers Juliet out of the room. “Would you mind stepping out of the room, Mr. Cross? I need to speak to my patient for a moment.”

I nod my head and hesitantly release her. My body rebels at the thought of leaving her alone. But instead of arguing further, I give her one last longing look and step out of the room. I don’t go far, though. All I have to say is, thank goodness for supernatural hearing.

Leaning back against the door, I focus on the conversation happening in the next room.

“How are you feeling, Ms. Vega?” I hear shuffling, then Amara answers. “I’m fine, Mrs. Donovan,” Amara answers defensively. It becomes silent for a moment, then Nurse Donovan sighs. “Well, it looks like everything is okay. But I have to ask you a few questions.”

Amara replies. “Sure. What do you want to know?” Mrs. Donovan responds. “Well, first, let me tell you that anything you say here is confidential.”

I roll my eyes and think, not anymore. “Okay, so let’s begin. Are you having sexual intercourse, Ms. Vega?”

Amara gasps in surprise. “No. Why would you ask me that?” Mrs. Donovan answers. “It’s just a mandatory question. You have to understand that you fainted earlier and were carried in by an incredibly attractive young man. Your boyfriend, I presume?”

Amara stutters. “No…I… no. I’m not having sex. Kell is not my boyfriend. He just happened to be there when I fainted. It’s not like that.”

Mrs. Donovan chuckles. “Well, someone better tell him that… he looked distraught when he carried you in here. You should have seen the way his eyes lit up when you opened your eyes.”

Amara gasps and stutters again. “No…he doesn’t see me that way. In fact, I think he has a girlfriend.”

I frown at her response. Who is she talking about? Mrs. Donovan lets the conversation drop and continues to ask more health questions. No, she doesn’t suffer seizures. Yes, she’s had a checkup, and it's fine. Maybe it was because she didn’t eat breakfast. And so on and so on.

After a few minutes, the door opens, and Nurse Donovan and Amara walk out of the room. Nurse Donovan gives me a speculative grin. “It looks like Ms. Vega is feeling better. How about you walk her to her next class, Mr. Cross?”

I nod my head and extend my hand to Amara, who nervously stares at my hand, ignores it, and steps around me. Damn, stubborn woman. I’m not deterred, though. I place my hand on her waist and guide her down the hall. “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”

She nods her head and moves away from my arms, looking nervous. “I’m fine.”

Unwilling to let things go, I moisten my lips and stop her descent. “What happened back there, beauty queen? And who’s Sophie?’

Her head snaps in my direction, and her face pales. “I have to go. Can we talk about this later?” She says hurriedly.

I want to argue with her, but I know it’s not the right time to push for answers. Instead, I clench my jaw and nod my head. “Yeah, fine,” I push my hands inside my pockets and shrug. “We’ll talk during tutoring.”

Her eyes widen into saucers, but she doesn’t comment further. Without another word, she turns and rushes away. All I can do is stand there and watch her retreating form disappear. Now, what was that about?