You're My Only Obsession

Chapter four - Scarlet

Wow, I'm so exciting.

It's a Saturday night and I was at home, studying. Emily and Cody have a bigger social life then I do. So they have gone out to a party for the afternoon – and evening.

Emily had asked me to come along with them, but I honestly just felt like staying at home. I like having the flat to myself, and studying kept my mind off things. But after a while I can't study much more so I decide to read a book.

Hearing the doorbell made me jump and I suddenly felt panic run through me. Would Aaron know I was alone? I walked slowly to the door, feeling my stomach turn. I swung the door open ready to see Aaron there but it wasn't him it was Sam. He stood there with a small smile and soft eyes.

"Hey" he finally breaks the silence

"Hi" I whispered, smiling. How the hell does he do that? As soon as he looks at me all of my barriers I try to keep so desperately stay break down. He stood there still awkwardly, shuffling side to side

I stood aside and let him in. shutting the door behind us, I motioned for him to go through to the living room.

"Do you live on your own?" he asked curiously.

"No, I live with my two best friends, Emily and Cody." I said pointing to a picture of us on the counter. I still kept my distance away from him, about a meter away from him. Sam looked at the picture, his eyes looking glassy from the light from the side table.

"Where are they?" he said looking up at me. I knew why he was worried, because I'm home alone, even after what Aaron did.

"They are at a party. They did invite me to join them but I wanted to stay here and read" I smiled at him, looking into his blue eyes.

He looked down at the book I was reading.

"I'm sorry for just turning up. I should just leave you to your reading. Also that's a great book" he looked shy for a brief second, but soon faded into a confident smile. Strangely enough I wanted him to stay.

"It's okay, you can stay. Can I get you a drink?" I asked nervously.

He hesitated and then nodded. "A glass of water would be nice, thank you". He sat down on the sofa, watching me as I poured two glasses of water. Could he see how much I was shaking? I hope he couldn't because of he would mistake it as being scared, when actually It was me being nervous.

I handed him one of the glasses and smiled, taking a sip; sitting down next to him. Why did he come over? I started to think

Part of me wanted him here but another part wanted to be as far as him as possible. Right now though I wanted him near me, he makes me feel safer.

"I thought the entire student population would be out tonight as it being a Saturday night," he said lightly, his eyes on mine.

I shrugged and brought my legs up to me and looked down at my hands. I suddenly noticed how close I was to him. I could feel the warmth of his body from where I was sitting just like when we were in class. I glanced up and caught him staring at me. His cheeks stared to redden when his eyes met mine.

"I like staying at home, reading. I'm boring," I said quickly. Calm down Scarlet.

"Aha, you're not the only one doing nothing. I was literally sitting on my floor watching paint dry." His laugh made me smile, it was kind of cute.

"Really?" I laughed with him. This was nice, talking to someone who was out of the friendship group I'm in. Which were Cody and Emily. Don't get me wrong, I love them but I haven't really tried to make more friends outside them. So chatting to Sam right now feels nice. Something new.

"Yes. I was painting a picture of a flower. Yea I know – I know real girly. But it brings out my famine side. Don't you think?" He said winking at me. I burst out laughing, which made him laugh even harder than he already was.

"Aw well very guy should have his famine side. How long have you been painting?" I asked, calming down.

"Eight years. My dad used to be amazing at art so he thought I got his artistic fingers. Which I did, my mum on the other hand is good at music." he smiled, relaxing into the sofa. It seemed so easy to talk to him. I realized he used past tense when he talked about his dad, but I didn't want to push it.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" I asked, scared of him saying no. He had been here for an hour now, and I'm shocked he isn't bored.

"Sure" he smiled at me as his face flushed. When I noticed, I giggled but then covered it up with a cough. Smooth Scarlet real smooth.

I got up and moved to the DVD pack, bringing it back to us.

"You're not going force me to watch a chick-flick and get two tubs of Ben and Jerrys?" he joked, looking up at me with amusement in his eyes. I laughed and playfully pushed him in the arm.

"No of course not. Do you really think I'm the kind of girl to watch Mean girls or cringe worthy stuff like that? I was thinking of a horror movie"

"Oh so you could snuggle up to me from being so scared?" he again joked, but after saying it his cheeks turned red. Which told me that wasn't intended to be said.

"I'm not a chicken, but I'll fetch you a pillow to hide behind." I nudged him in the ribs playfully.

In the end we picked 'The Sinister', well I did but oh well. This was my favorite film of all times. I wasn't much into girly films; I liked the ones that put me on edge. I mean I have watched this a thousand times now and it still has the effect to put me on edge.

"If you put it on, I'll order pizza," he said, decisively. "Any particular kind?" he asked.

"Pepperoni" I said a little too excitedly. He looked at me then, shaking his head smiling.

He fished out his phone and called the delivery place while I fiddled with the DVD player; my stomach feeling like it was home to butterflies.

I sat back down on the sofa; bring my knee to my chest. I studied him while he was on the phone and unaware of my attention. His dark hair, messy but sexy in an away worked perfectly with his ripped jeans and faded top. I then had the sudden urge to run my hands through his hair. Something about me wanted to touch him; his hair I wanted to tangle my hands in; his arms, I wanted to feel around me.

"Fifteen minutes" he said, snapping me out of my daydream.

"What?" I asked stupidly, the damn pizza Scarlet.

"Umm the pizza?" he gave a small laugh. This made my stomach twist into a knot.

"Ha okay. Well, we can start the movie now, anyway," I said cheerfully.

He settled down on the sofa next to me. God, he smelt good. The citrus, woody tone mixed with the sweet scent of his aftershave. Is it really weird that I wanted to lean over and sniff him? I giggled at the thought of it. He glanced up at me, eyebrows creased and shaking his head.

Probably thinks I'm a weird-o. But to be honest I am weird just ask Emily and Cody. They will agree with you one hundred percent.

I had never noticed that I spontaneously laugh when I'm nervous. Sam being this close to me makes me feel awfully nervous. I was sure I was coming across as a crazy nut job.

What was I doing getting worried about what he thought? I'm meant to be protecting myself aren't I? But having him here his hand inches away from mine, felt right.

The image of him leaning in and kissing me softly coursed a pressure in my chest. Could I have a crush on Sam? But before dating Aaron, I had been crushing on him. It never felt like this though.

The doorbell rang and I jumped again. Sam chuckled as I pressed pause.

"Is little miss 'I'm not a chicken' scared?" he teased. "I'll be right back to protect you, don't worry" he winked at me and I blushed.

I watched him as he left the room. A few minutes later he came back in pizza box in hand. I pushed the books scattered on the coffee table as he set down the box.

He opened the lid and let me take the first pick. I picked the one with the most toppings on.

"I was going to go with that one," he said, narrowing his eyes at me playfully and pouting.

"Too bad. You shouldn't have offered it to me first, then." I shrugged, shoving it in my mouth.

"Oh really? I guess that's what I get for being a gentleman," he said grinning at me. I rolled my eyes at him and took another bite of my pizza. I tried to look away from the place his dimples showed up when he was smiling. "Get over it," I joked, covering my mouth with my hand. He laughed as he un-paused the movie, grabbing a slice of pizza at the same time.

I paid more attention to him than I did the movie. I've watched this movie so many times I could lip-read along with the actors. Also watching him made me feel strangely happy – creepy as it sounds.

I blushed furiously, praying he wouldn't look over at me.

When the movie ended it was eleven- fifty but I didn't want him to leave. I turned off the movie and turned around to see he was looking at me.

"Thank you" I said

"It's okay, I've had a lovely time Scarlet" he smiled at me. I looked at him, disappointment filling me because he is going to leave.

"Why did you come here Sam?" I suddenly asked, trying not to sound rude.

"Ummm, I was worried." he said shyly. I noticed how close we were, our legs touching from knee to hip. When I looked up at him, he was looking at the picture of me, Cody and Emily. "What time are they getting back because it's getting late?"

"Not till morning" I whispered, my nerves cutting off my breathing. He looked down at me then, with sad eyes. My heart sank at the sight of it.

"They don't know, do they?" he asked, his hand stroking my face, and I realized I was crying. Why the hell was I crying? I don't want to make him sadder. I shook my head at his answer.

"I don't want to leave you here on your own Scarlet," he spoke softly; I could feel the warmth of his hand burning through my cheek. He was looking me in the eyes.

"Stay then," I didn't even think before saying it but it's out now, I can't take it back.

"Are you sure? I just want to make sure your safe." He said sweetly

"I'm sure, thank you Sam" I leaned in and hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth of him against me. When I pulled back I was only an inch away from his face; his hands firm on my back. Our foreheads pressed against each other. My breathing hitched at how close he was to me. I don't know if I was scared from the closeness or nervous.

He then let go of me, letting me fall back into the seat next to him. He looked flustered and his breathing was heavy.

I got up and said goodnight quickly and practically ran to my room. I leaned against the door and brought my hand up to my mouth, I can't believe how close we were to kissing. I could still feel the heat in my cheeks and feel my heart thumping in my chest. Was I crazy to think that he looked sad when he let me go? I need to sleep this off.

I woke up screaming. I'd been dreaming about Aaron again. My heart was pounding in my ears as I sat up, panting, trying to get my breath back. I raised my knees up to my chest and put my head between them. Suddenly my door slammed open and the lights flicked on, blinding me. I cried harder when I looked up to see Sam just with his jeans on. His eyes were looking around the room. His expression was focused and alarmed.

"Get behind me Scarlet" he said sternly. I jumped out of the bed, and ran to him standing behind him. Was someone in the flat?

He started backing up slowly. I gripped on his hip so I wouldn't fall over. He backed me into the corner of the room; I quietly sobbed. He pushed against my chest, shielding me with his body. "Where is he?" he said fiercely.

"Where's who?" I whispered, pressing into him.

"Aaron. I heard you scream?" he looked confused, worried and scared all at the same time.

Relief washed over me, Aaron wasn't here. Then my eyes widened "you came in here because I was screaming?" I asked, trying to calm my breathing.

"Yeah, it sounded like you were getting hurt" he said his voice low, he was still scanning my room for danger.

"I was dreaming Sam. I'm sorry," I felt insecure then, he had heard me screaming.

He turned around to face me, looking concerned. "You were dreaming?" he asked softly. I nodded sadly. He then raised his hand, brushing hair over my shoulder before taking hold of my hand.

"I have nightmares sometimes, about Aaron." I croaked out. He squeezed my hand, sending a shiver down my back. I hated that I enjoyed him touching me. "I'm sorry I woke you" I looked at the floor.

He pulled my face up to his, his blue eyes looking into mine. "I don't care you woke me up. I'm here for you now." He then pulled me into a hug, which made me cry harder.

"You go back to sleep and I'll watch over you okay?" he said calmly to me. He then pulled the chair out from my desk. I nodded sadly as he plopped himself down in the chair. "So you're just going to watch me sleep?" I asked

"Yes. So you know you're safe." He looked deadly serious.

"Thank you. Sam?"

"It's okay, I would do anything for you Scarlet. And yes?" he said in a husky voice.

"Could you read to me?" I asked shyly getting comfortable in my bed.

"Yea sure thing" he said softy. I sat up and grabbed the book from the side table. He caught it. He grinned when he looked at it. "So you do have soft touch for romantics?" he said holding up the battered copy of The Note Book.

I smiled, and curled into a ball. "Yes. Shh don't tell anyone. It can be our secret" I joked. I heard him chuckle. "Good-night Sam"

"Good night Scarlet."

I closed my eyes and willed myself to sleep, listening to his voice whilst he read.