Apart, but not forever

Chapter 11

Lilah

*knock* *knock* *knock*

My heart starts to race as I hear someone at the front door. I can honestly say I have never been this nervous about studying.

I hear someone open the door as I head down the stairs. I groan when I realize who it was.

"Welcome!" Emma squeals as she opens the door.

What else did you expect? Violet moans.

"Oh, hi." I hear Flynn respond. "Is Lilah here?"

Oh Goddess, I wish I could see Emma's face right now! Violet muses. I chuckle at the thought.

I make it to the bottom of the stairs and see Flynn standing awkwardly in the foyer. He visibly relaxes when he notices me enter. I cant help the giggle that escapes. I wouldn't want to be stuck with Emma for much longer either.

I noticed his dark blonde hair in its usual messy style and his tall, muscular figure. Suddenly I am feeling self-conscious. In hindsight, i probably should have put more effort into my appearance. I scold myself internally.

"Hi!" Flynn smiles a wide smile as I walk towards him. It makes my heart flutter.

"Hi." I return nervously, eyeing Emma who is still standing there.

"Want to come up? I have set up my books on my desk." I add, waving for him to follow me back up the stairs. Flynn doesn't hesitate to follow.

"See you later!" Emma calls from the bottom of the stairs.

I show Flynn into my room and stop just inside the door.

I have never had a guy in my room before. I link to Violet.

Always have to start somewhere! Could be worse first visitors? Violet replies. I take a deep breath to steady myself.

"So you can put your stuff down anywhere..." I state nervously. The wobble in my voice deceiving me.

"Thanks. Nice room. You have a lot of books." Flynn says, staring at my bookshelf full of novels and text-books.

"Yea. My Dad and I used to read a lot." I explain.

"Ohhh! This is one of my favorites!" Flynn exclaims while picking up one of the books from the shelf. He turns it over so I can see the title. 'Ender's Game' by Orson Scott. I smile.

"That was my Dad's favorite too." I comment.

What a coincidence! Violet says gleefully.

"It is a good one!" Flynn replies. He sits on my bed and looks around some more.

"We should probably get started." I announce, getting my chemistry text-book from the desk and opening it up. Flynn does the same.

"How are you guys going?" Emma asks as she pokes her head into my room. I almost feel like she was checking on what we were really doing.

Flynn and I were both sitting on my bedroom floor, surrounded by books and notepads. We had been studying for almost an hour. I had to give him credit, he was a fast learner.

"We're going well... Lilah is a good teacher." Flynn comments, I feel my cheeks burn red at his compliment.

"Emma!" I hear Darren call from downstairs. Emma rolls her eyes before turning around and heading back downstairs. I let out a sigh of relief.

"She must be a fun Step-sister!" Flynn laughs. I feel very at ease with him.

"Oh, she's the best!" I say sarcastically. Flynn lets out a deep chuckle. I feel everything clench inside me at the sound.

Flynn looks down at the mess of books we have made and sighs.

"I think my brain will explode if we do any more studying on a Sunday." He states, closing the book he was working in.

"Yea, I don't think I can concentrate anymore!" I reply honestly. But not because of the work, it has everything to do with the gorgeous guy sitting on my bedroom floor beside me.

"Want to go get something to eat? I could really do with some ice cream?" Flynn suggests.

Yes! Yes! YESSSS! Violet answers.

But I told Emma and Darren we were just studying? I reply to Violet nervously.

Screw her! Darren wont care! Violet argues.

"We'll be really quick, I promise." Flynn adds as if he can hear my internal conversation.

"Sure. Let me change my socks." I reply awkwardly, remembering my fashionable footwear.

I stand up and throw my fluffy socks into my wardrobe, taking out a pair of converse and ankle socks. I slip them on while Flynn begins gathering up the books from the floor.

"I do have to say, your attire is rather remarkable!" Flynn teases. I try to hide the smirk on my face.

"If I am going to study on a Sunday, I need to be in optimal comfort." I reply. Flynn laughs at my response.

"I completely get it. I also really approve." Flynn adds as I feel his eyes roam my body. I am now highly aware of how short my shorts are and the parts of my body where my tank top hugs tight. My cheeks flush red again.

"Should we get going?" I stutter nervously.

Why am I so awkward? I groan to Violet. She just chuckles at me.

I don't think he is phased. Violet muses.

"Let's go. We can walk, its probably only five minutes away from here." Flynn says, trying to hide his smirk.

We walk to the ice cream shop chatting about random things. I am surprisingly comfortable with Flynn. I find that we actually have a lot in common. We both like reading, playing soccer, enjoying going surfing, and our favorite food is pizza.

I told you not to jump to conclusions about him. Violet reminds me.

"What flavor would you like?" Flynn asks me as we enter the ice-cream shop. I notice a few people from school staring at us when we walk in together. I try to lower my head and hide behind Flynn's tall body. I can feel the heat from his body radiating off of him, we are standing so close. I desperately want to close the gap and touch him.

"Cookies and cream please." I reply quietly.

"One cookies and cream and one double chocolate please Fiona." Flynn says to the girl behind the counter. The girl swishes her hair and rapidly blinds her eyelashes at him. I roll my eyes.

The girl scoops the cones for us and hands them directly to Flynn.

"One is for her." Flynn states as he hands me my ice cream. The girl glares at me.

We walk outside once Flynn has paid and sit on the bench to eat.

"Thanks." I smile once we are seated.

"You're welcome!" Flynn replies cheerfully.

"You know a lot of girls, huh?" I ask anxiously. Flynn turns to face me suddenly serious.

"Uhh, yea I guess so. But I'm not like that... not anymore at least." He defends. I just nod. It doesn't really have anything to do with me anyway.

"The guys and I are planning on going surfing next weekend. Do you want to come with us?" Flynn asks, changing the subject.

"I don't want to ruin a boy trip?" I say warily. Flynn chuckles.

"Definitley not, I really want you to come." He adds.

"Sure... I'll see if Monica and Ally want to come too?" I ask.

"Of course! You can probably borrow my brother's board too. He's a few years younger, so it should be fine for you." He says. The image of Flynn on a surfboard pops into my mind. I begin to feel a bit flushed. I have never had this reaction to a guy before.

He is not just any guy. Violet adds.

"Awesome! Thanks!" I say. I wonder what Emma will have to say about this one.

"Uh, I have a question..." I ask hesitantly.

"Shoot." Flynn as he licks a drip of his ice cream from down the side of the cone. I feel my insides clench in response. Flynn's eyes go a few shades darker as if he can tell. I drop my gaze to focus on only my ice cream and shift on my seat nervously.

"Well, what is the deal with you and Emma?" I ask cautiously. Flynn lets out a long sigh of relief.

"I thought it was going to be something bad!" He laughed nervously, "I stupidly kissed Emma a few weeks ago. I was very intoxicated and usually stay right away. I hope you don't mind me saying, but she is just nuts!" He continued. I feel instantly relieved.

"Makes sense..." I reply. Not mentioning that she thinks they will become destined mates. That will probably only confirm his diagnosis of nuts.

"I am actually really interested in someone at the moment..." Flynn says quietly, looking deep into my eyes. I had never noticed the flecks of gray in his dark blue eyes before.

"But, I'm not sure if she would be interested. She seems different to all the girls around here." Flynn continues, still staring into my eyes. I want to look away out of embarrassment but cant will myself to do so.

"Flynn!" Someone calls out from their car as they roll the window down, "Epic night last night man! By far the best pong partner!" He laughs before continuing down the road. Flynn clears his throat and stands up. I hadn't realized how close we had slowly moved.

"We should probably start heading back." I sigh, pulling the legs of my shorts down as I stood up.

"Sure." Flynn smiles and follows beside me.

Our hands accidentally touch as we walk next to each other on the narrow footpath. I feel tingles shoot up my arm from the contact. Flynn's pace wavers at the touch before resuming as normal. Violet is practically howling.

Flynn ran up to my room to fetch his bag before leaving. I stood at the front door waiting for him.

When he came back he stood in front of me. I could feel his breath on my cheek. We were standing so close. My heart began to race.

"Thanks for today." Flynn smiled and gently ran his fingers down my cheek. It left goosebumps where he touched. A shiver ran down my spine, making Flynn smirk.

"See you at school tomorrow." I stutter like a buffoon.

You are one smooth specimen, Lilah. Violet teases.

Oh, so supportive. I reply as I watch Flynn walk down the driveway to his car.

Admit it, you like him. Violet rags on me.

It is stupid and irresponsible, but I do... I sigh before closing the door and walking back up to my room.