A Seat in His Heart

Chapter 5 - Playful Kiss

[Gold]

Can you be any weirder? Someone is having a Jesus complex here! You want to give everything up for Trice? Since when did you have to leave them for Trice's sake? my mind rattled. Yeah yeah I know I'm weird but this was for Trice, my friend. I avoided the pack yet again and this has been going on for a couple of days now. I had been doing a great job but I feel awful. After I settled down, in readiness for the next lecture, I turned to look back at them, Trice is now at Pete's side, she was straightening his collar and giving him a satisfactory once over look, now they seem closer than before, they are all good and getting along really well without me, I let out a sigh and smiled to myself, just then Pete's eye caught mine, trying to hold my gaze I looked away instantly, with my heart hitting five thousand beat per second. okay, I know I'm exaggerating, but why was it beating so fast. I heard someone slump into the seat next to me, I looked up there it was, that annoying smirk, with a lock of hair dangling over his lashes.

"Why are you acting like you have a crush on someone." Kyle asked still holding his smirk.

"It's a relief since you don't think its you, crushes aren't my thing anyway, so pull yourself together." I said eyeing him briefly then looked away before the last part of my sentence. He smiled mischievously, nodding his head like he has learned something new. Just then Mr. Smith walked in and class commenced. Mr. Smith is that kind of Lecturer that knows his stuff, smart and always ready to deliver in excess whether you are interested or not. All He knows is that he has to quench his thirst of teaching before leaving the class. So when coming for his class, Brace yourself. It's past the class duration, twenty more minutes had been hijacked by him skillfully, you cannot leave His class because he only took attendance at the end of the lecture. I looked around and every one was absolutely exhausted so was I, but I'm not gonna let it get to me, since I had a reputation to maintain.

When the class finally ended, Kyle whispered to me, he told me not to let anyone kill my joy and by all means possible, I should do whatever made me happy. He then held my hand and led me to where Pete and Trice were. Pete just smiled. Trice's tummy rumbled. All I could do was process what Kyle whispered to me earlier. Why did he say that to me? what did he notice?

"I think that's our cue to head out, since your tummy is already singing." Kyle said poking Trice's shoulder playfully.

"You are only safe because my tummy is against me right now, Kyle." Trice said looking exhausted. I started walking towards the door and they followed. When I was few steps ahead of them.

"Did I do something wrong Gold?" I recognized that voice to be Pete's, but I was unable to make out the expression in his voice. "Not at all, Pete." I replied without looking back we were climbing down a set of stairs at the exit of the hall, when I tripped. I was obviously not a klutz, but why always me? I almost hit the ground, I was fully ready anyway. I felt a familiar grip round my stomach and his breath fanning the bare skin on my neck. He was clearly stopping my fall by holding me from behind, a moment I would have greatly savoured, if I never had to act indifferent. If one hadn't witnessed the full scene one would think he was giving me a hug from behind.

"Yeah nice catch, man. I bet she would praise some good muscles after this." Kyle's voice rang. I felt embarrassed. If Kyle was there, Trice was definitely there too and Pete was the one who caught me, I instantly entangled myself from Pete's grip, almost losing balance again, then met face to face with Trice's disappointed face. I don't know what got into me, I took to my heels. Why was I running away? Why did Trice look at me like that? Did I fall on purpose? Would she prefer that I hit the ground and get hurt? All day I have given her space, I'm clearly avoiding him even though I hated myself for it, already. One thing was very certain, the more I pushed him away, the more helplessly I fell for him.

I had always been coexisting my entire life, why did I have to go through that when I had successfully made friends and even started liking someone? I positioned myself under a tree, drank water from the bottle I got from the Cafeteria as I sped off earlier. Maybe I had to be alone for a long time yet again, I thought. I put on my headset and hit the play button, closed my eyes and I became lost from the world surrounding me.

"Love doesn't ask why, it comes out at once." were the lyrics by Celine Dion, her voice was soothing but was this a coincidence that I had that first thing on my playlist? And I also felt so frustrated, I was in this situation and that kind of music was playing...well maybe there was a magic behind all of this. I locked up my heart and I promised myself there would be no love coming out at once anyway. I hit the next button to change the song, I would never had guessed that the next song playing would be 'No one by Alicia Keys'. Are you kidding me? If I chose to hit next again, I would probably be listening to Hero by Enrique Iglesias. I just closed my eyes and let the music play "No one , no one, no one, will get in the way I wanna feel for you."

Was I letting Trice get in the way? I had no exact idea as to what Pete was thinking about me. Did he even like me? I didn't let myself draw conclusions since I couldn't even process what I was feeling either. Everything was just confusing and complicated. The music was cut off by a call from Kyle, I ended the call and the music. I hated myself for a brief moment. Why was I punishing everyone else and my self too? Has Trice acknowledged that I was doing this for her? despite all the hurt.

"I hate it when I can't understand any thing" I mumbled. "me too" I heard a whisper, I turned to see the perfect figure beside me "Freshman!" I exclaimed. I don't know Why I call him that, I'm also a freshman though, maybe it was because he never told me his name or because he resumed late, or maybe he is just a freshman in my life story. I was totally clueless that day.

"I don't think you my lady would want to miss the next class, Shall we." He said gesturing for us to Leave "yeah let's go." I replied picking up my belongings.

"I am Chris Chevron." He said as we walked side by side to class.

"Are you tired of me calling you Freshman already?" I teased and he chuckled. Wow he laughed, all I ever get from Pete and Kyle are smirks or smiles at most. Those bad boys.

"Nope that's my first alias anyway, and given to me by an angel, Who am I to refuse?" he said putting an arm on his chest faking gratitude and bowing slightly. Something felt off about Chris, I felt his magical appearance eerie. I shrugged it off anyway.

" You are hilarious," I said, giggling. for some strange reason, talking to him was refreshing. "I'm Goldie Argent" I told him. "I will call you Gold." He said grinning. "why?" I was confused already.

"I know it's Lame right?" he asked, touching the back of his head.

"No, I thought only family would consider me priceless, Gold is actually cool, you know, like something priceless to you." I said smiling.

" Do You still watch cartoons? '' Chris asked with wide eyes.

"Yep, anime is like my daily bread too." I responded.

"That's cool.'' Chris said. "Really? People would usually think I'm crazy." I said.

"Oh, don't mind people, Gold. You have your life to live." He said looking into my eyes while I just looked away, It sounded like the shortened version of what Kyle told me earlier. That was the second person who encouraged me to be me.

"We are here" I said as we now stood in front of the Hall. "Yeah Have a nice day" Chris said, walking over to his friends. I just slumped into the front seat and started a brief revision, before the Lecturer walked in.

I think I will just live my life just as Chris told me from now on.

[Pete's POV]

A lot has happened since I started college. Everything in my Life was falling back into shape, I couldn't forget the hell I went through just to get this far. However, I won't let anything get in my way this time not even my alter ego. I have a weird nature contrary to the cool guy persona I display. I was able put up a wonderful show so far, I was good at this or so my parents thought, it wasn't my fault they left me to waste away, went to have good lives for themselves and now they want me back and all cleaned up? They needed to try harder. All my life I had believed and worked things out in likes of a mathematical problem, not because I'm an expert in solving calculus or an expert in mathematics and logics, I know I am though, but rather because I penchant accuracy in decision making. In all over these years I don't think I have been met with any hitches in my dealings and procuring solution to any of my problems even back when I was in the hood, but what is it with this situation? This thing I've been trying to understand, I don't know whether to tag it a situation or what exactly, How could Gold and Trice be such a hassle to figure out? Both girls were alternatingly crunching my emotions, Trice wasn't much of my trouble, but either way I just know this is like hitting a landmine and its time to implore external materials to fix it. Let me make you understand what I'm blabbering about, see

this is exactly Gold does to me, I don't have a clue where she appeared from into my once peaceful life, not like she's my first girl though, but W

who would believe that I would be in such a dilemma over a girl, not even my homies would, they would probably laugh in my face. Gold, if you ever find out, forgive me for adding you to my list of unanalyzed logic. It has already become a habit to liken my life situations to logistics. This is who I am anyway, that's what you get from having scientist genes and living the difficult life of a teenager in the hood. I won't go around throwing light on my other self, it's nothing great though, that's why I've made a new me, different from the one the hood nurtured and watched like a sprouting weed, the one to feed their obsessions and cravings soon. To the one my parents think they've made and perfected like a masterpiece after a series of tests and experiments. If any one tells me I've been cloned, I most definitely would believe it. Ladybird the invincible mum of the hood kids, she knew I was the smart one, she made me never skip a day from school, in turn I'd lay out the blue print for any operations the bigger boys had to undertake, it was a night's business, everything illegal and I never failed them. I was used, it wasn't a life I enjoyed, but I had to put in my best. She kept on telling me that if I wanted my parents I should work harder in school and in the hood, I was a puppet but here in College, Eric Grayson may be extinct for a while, after all the illegalities. I don't have to be that person, I make my own rules, I call the shots, its time you witnessed the beauty of evolution, I am Pete Grayson.

****************

"Yo, man! are you zoning out on me?" Kyle asked, handing me a shot of whiskey. "I'm right here." I said, taking the drink. "You know I read you like a book Pete." Kyle pointed out nicely. No matter what anyone says, Kyle is my surest bet, He's got his own story, but he's a good one so far, right from highschool I've known him, he's been the sponge, always absorbing my venom and keeping me sane, he has been there and he is here "Say that one more time and you'd be the one zoning." He just glared at me, shaking his head. "I know you still thinking of Skirts." Kyle laughed and winked. Kyle is weird, despite being polished and growing up extravagantly, he has his own way of naming things and I am already in on it, I guess we, the guys are too weird though, by Skirts Kyle means girls. "We going on Break soon, man, still thinking if I should go or just stay right here. About skirts, what brand would be worthy of my bed though." I laughed while taking a sip of my drink.

"The Exotic Gold brand, I would say, really fits me, maybe I can play with that Skirt for a while then drop her, we don't need Long term skirts anyway." Kyle said carelessly, looking at me for my reaction, he loves it when I react to this joke our way, but today he knows he hit the wrong chord and he is daring me to play the right sound. I would most definitely let it slide if it were some random girl but Gold was a no go. I didn't know when I pounced on him with clenched fist reaching for his face, I only recollected myself when he yelled my name "Eric Grayson!" Kyle knows my story, the only way he has me in check is reminding me of me when I'm contrasting and shuffling my persona.

"Damn! calm down bro, You know I'm only Kidding." he added. "We good, Kyle. We good." I said, patting his shoulder. "Yeah we good, you know I can't touch brand Gold, she's special, I know that even without a punch to my face." Kyle said, smiling and wiggling his brows at me. I could tell he was really stressed, but trying to keep up with me. "Don't do that to me, man, I'm no skirt" I said pointing to his wiggling brows, then we burst out laughing. I haven't told Kyle anything on Gold yet, but I guess he is right when he says he reads me like a book, he knows already, but I think he is even more certain now given my action.

"Don't you think you should go out with her?" Kyle asked.

"You know man, not that I'm chickening, but I just can't, what would I offer her, this?" I said, gesturing to myself up and down."She deserves better," I added. Kyle didn't look up from his phone, he just nodded, that kind of had me confused.

"Hey Man, what do you think is going on with the ladies, don't you think, They're a bit off? I mean the vibes are cold recently at school" Kyle spoke after a minute, smoothly changing the topic, and leaving me even confused. I was currently regretting why I didn't go to the party at the Frat house, even just to sit at the bar and wonder why alcohol tastes the way it does, like itself, Kyle won't let me coordinate my thoughts tonight. I invited Kyle over since he too didn't feel like it after he got his famous bad night alert, that's what he calls it, I don't know how he gets it though, but anytime he says Bad Night for a party, we usually stay in and some bad news reaches us the next day. "True, I think something's up." I said stacking the books I picked on my reading table.

"You know I heard they had a girls' night. and this sudden change started after that" Kyle pointed.

"Leave them alone for now, they will come around. Never try to understand Skirts, man, they're worse than quantum physics." I said, running my hand through my hair and slumping into the bed as Kyle decided to take my favourite spot on the couch. "See who's a skirt expert, eh" Kyle teased.

"Why would I be when the spot is already taken by Lord Kyle, Grand Master of She Arts " I barely completed the sentence when a tennis hit my bare chest accompanied by Kyle's laughter.

"You're crazy Man! I've got a 6 AM curfew, I'd better crash." Kyle said, yawning. "You waiting for a bedtime story? in your dreams!" I teased.

"A story read by Gold, accompanied by a mid dream Kiss, really worth the sleep, I'd better start dreaming already." He came back at me, knowing how well he got me. "just shut up" I slurred while he giggled lightly. Twenty minutes later I could hear heavy breathing, Kyle dozed already. What do I do now, I don't feel like reading anything right now, so I'll just close my eyes. Why Trice and Gold are acting funny was eating me up, I know girls tend to be close if they have a common goal or similar likes and dislikes towards a particular thing or person, as opposed to magnets where like poles repel but they are acting really strange as their differences doesn't make them any closer. What could be the problem as they don't show signs of having a fight, but they are rather rupturing, they are like two mesh gears gliding on each other in same direction, their friction I predict would damage the entire system, "-ugh there I go again" I mumbled. I can't get my thoughts together.

I need to find a clue, I can't make anymore assumptions. Two variables Trice and Gold move in same direction intercepting frequently now the question is where exactly on the graph do the friction tend to increase and the variables stand distinct? Trice gets mad when Gold is close to us, then Gold avoids us, she's cool, they don't seem to get along for some Time, Trice calms when Gold's gone, but the cycle repeats when Gold returns. Does Trice like Kyle? "Argggh! Girls are so confusing". At this moment I needed to sleep, else the bags which will appear under my eyes would be larger than back packs.

*****************

"Get up Bull, what was that about 6 AM? its 9 AM" I called to Kyle kicking his leg that was sprawled. "You done creating your Hypothesis, Eric?" came Kyle's husky voice. "Stop feeling like a psychic and come down here for breakfast." I said dragging myself to the kitchen. Kyle came in walking like a sloth as always when he wakes up, he attacked the fridge to get water from it and took a seat opposite me.

"I think I'd stay In for the break, It's just two weeks approximately, I'm not going anywhere." I told Kyle and he just nodded.

"You know I was thinking same. Also we need to put you out of your Misery, before the girls go on break, Let's solve a criminal case" Kyle said with a smirk. when Kyle smirks, I get the memo It's time to feel some Kyle magic and the effect is not always cool, from what I've known of him from when we where kids, he is very mischievous and just higher up the level of bad boys than I am and I won't want even my enemies to get on his bad side. He might not be the one to do the dirty work, but he definitely has people to get it done.

"What do you mean Kyle? I don't want anyone getting hurt" I stated. "no one is getting hurt, you don't have to be in the dark, we just need to know who she really is before you fall in too deep, it's that simple." Kyle explained.

"What if she eventually finds out, or things go sideways?" I pressed further. "Why are you chickening now that this girl is in the picture? You have seen worse things done back in the hood. You won't have to worry if the answer is zero" Kyle assured.

Kyle was right, I've witnessed the torturing of men and women by physical methods, serums, drugging and more, back in the slumps. However, I can't let this happen to Gold.

"I guess you already know the culprit, we just need a testimony and we're done." I said even though I know strange things might happen and I might not like it in the end, but I have to play this game, after all I'm Eric Grayson.

[Gold]

"Goldie Argent'' I turned to see Pete with his usual smile on his face. Would this guy ever stop smiling at me?

"Pete Grayson '' I called back, with a cringed out grin. "You know I love the sound of my name from that lip of yours." Pete tried to humour.

"Cheesy words won't help you, just quit it." I said curtly. My game of ignoring the group and Pete in particular have been well played so far, I'm getting used to the whole thing, being alone has never been my problem, but the fact that i'm getting detached from my friends was heart wrenching, I believe what will be, will be, either way I have to be strong and hold out until Trice gets her man.

I sat out on the grass, I just had the last lecture for the day some hours ago, the sun was about to set and I just concluded my research for a review in Computer Architecture.

"You're done with it, Wow, You are more competent than some faculty." He said grinning and flipping through the pages. this is the first time I've felt insecure around Pete, what was happening? I mean there is a different eerie vibe from him but if there is anyone I'd stay with for a long time without troubles is Pete, so nothing's wrong here, right? I pushed the thought away. I just remained mute looking at him then His eyes met mine then he dropped the papers. l know people were scarce at this part of the school that was the reason I chose to rest here for a bit before going home.

"Pete, do you have anything to say to me?" I said sternly standing up to my feet, and I saw his eyes darting all over me for a while. I gathered everything that was mine and got ready to leave. He pulled me back by my arm. The force sent all my papers flying and I landed in his arms. "Where are you going?" His voice was rather scary. I've seen this action before in movies, when something dangerous is about to happen, or when some crazy action is about to be displayed. When I looked at his face, what was disturbing was that I've never seen Pete in this state, he had an extremely soft look on his face, eyelids half open he started pulling in slowly towards me, on impulse, I pulled away backwards, my eyes roamed the surroundings searching for someone, anyone, but it seemed like we're in a desert, no soul was within sight. He was silent, not a word, his gaze intensified as he is towering above me, my back hit against the tree and his hands at the side of my ears, locking me in, his breath fanning my face. Having such a close view of Pete is mesmerizing, I never knew he had such long straight lashes, his mint breath is inviting, I'm not leaving out his supple pink lips and full dark brows.

"What is the meaning of this?" I blurted out as I recollected my senses, trying to sound as rude as possible. He just maintained the silence and looked down at my heaving chest, smiled, then gave me a once-over like a predator admires his prey before eating, imagining how delicious it would taste, he then brought his face towards mine so our lips are just centimeters apart, then I saw a smile playing at the corner of his lips, this smile is not his regular smile, there's more to it I can't really lay my hands on at the moment he took a deep breath and looked down, while I looked away. At this point I have no idea how my body was reacting or what I looked like that made him smile like that, no matter how starstruck I am right now, I have self respect, I don't want him to think I'm easily swayed. I can't let him know my feelings, my little crush. Trice comes first. "Move Over!" I yelled Pushing him away with all my strength which didn't have much effect on him, he backed up a few steps away, giving me a chance to escape the lock. As I made to leave, he caught me by my wrist, pulled me back to himself, wrapped an arm around my waist and one hand cupping my face. Everything happened in a heartbeat, he was so swift. "Pete let-'' before I could do or say anything, he slammed his lips on mine.

It was my first kiss.