Hold me

Chapter 6

A sigh made its way out of my lips. I decided to still keep the pan with me. It seems as though today wierd things were going to happen.

What is Ian doing here? Seeing how things ended this morning and two years ago. I didn't think he'd ever come here. It was awkward since he lived next door, but since I rarely left the house it was easy to avoid him.

Mama and his mom still were friends but they knew what happened and never intruded. Although they did in the beginning try to make us reconcile, they finally gave up.

"Saviyah Lathitha Adams, just open the door." Ian muttered annoyance lacing his voice.

"Ian Xavier Marx, what do you want at this time of the night." Two could play that game.

"I just want to talk, please let me in."

Is he serious? I thought. I decided to open the door. He's disheveled appearance filled the door. He slowly came in, wearing only a white vest and basketball shorts.

"I don't like the way we ended things."

His statement had me wondering what happened this morning or what happened two years back?

I walked into the living room with him tailing behind me and left the pan on the kitchen counter. We headed to the living room and I made my way to the ottoman, discarding my earlier sitting place and blanket.

When I finally decided to look at Ian he looked like he was trying not to laugh. It made me feel like I had let one of the bullies in my home, which I did.

"What?!" I couldn't help the annoyance dripping from my voice.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help but wonder why

you had a pan."

"Well I'm sorry. Sorry that I was trying to protect myself since someone decided that knocking on my door at night was fun." It was meant to be sarcastic but only came out as an angry rant.

"I'm sorry."He had the decency to look sheepish. He was apoligizing a lot which was unusual.

"Ian, I'm tired I have school tomorrow." I sighed. "You too actually, so say what you want to say and leave." I said gesturing to the door.

He crossed the living room, that suddenly felt little over his towering build. He then sat on the ottoman beside mine. The hairs on my neck stood up, goosebumps erupted on my skin and I could distinctively hear the drum like beat of my heart.

I was suddenly aware of our close proximity. And I was sure that I was blushing. Well it really doesn't help that my enemy and crush were sitting so close to me.

"I'm sorry for the way I treated you, two years back. You were just being a good best friend by coming to my birthday party. I purposefully didn't invite you but you still came, it showed me that you cared and valued our friendship. The way I returned that was humiliating you in front of everyone. And for that I'm sorry. I hate myself for what I did, and contemplated apoligizing after. But they convinced me that you were in the wrong and I was right. I ended up believing it. I'm sorry for betraying you and choosing new friends instead of sticking with you, my day one. I'm sorry for taking your friendship for granted." He breathed a sigh of relief as if he'd had a weight lifted off from his shoulders.

Surprised wasn't the appropriate word to describe what I was feeling. Ian Xavier apologized to me. Why after all these years? Did his mom persuade him. I wouldn't put it past Sabrina to do so.

"Do you think I care about the humiliation? Of course it hurt at first, you were supposed to be my best friend. But what hurt the most was you, your jock and cheerleader friends bullying me. You already embarrassed me why not let me lick my wounds in peace. For almost two years you have all taunted and mocked me." I tried keeping my voice down but I felt like it was my time to vent and release that pent up anger. How great is it that I do it to the person who caused it.

"Do you know how it feels to wake up and dread going to school? Do you know how it feels to be alone and feel as if your world is crashing because of others actions." Tears threatened to fall but I did everything to not cry. Never would I cry in front of people again. I would never show any emotion, as his kind viewed emotion as weakness.

" I made a friend, last year. I was reluctant to trust her because I was afraid she'd hurt me. She's been nothing but good to me since the beginning, but since I trusted once and got burned I was not going to do it again. But I opened my heart and saw that not everyone is as heartless as you. I'm finally in a good place." I felt free and relieved as if a ton of bricks were off my shoulders.

Looking at his face I saw pain, regret and relief." I'm not sure if the sorry I give you is enough to fix the damage I've done. I hope and pray that one day you'll forgive me for the pain I've caused you ." He motioned to standing up.

"Ian, wait. I appreciate and accept the apology. Hopefully we can move on. I don't think we can be friends again but friendly acquaintances maybe." I gave him a little smile.

"Thank you, Vee." He smiled. He looked like he wanted to say more but decided against it.

We both stood up and faced each other his scent engulfed me, vanilla with a hint of spice. He was staring at my lips and I instinctively moistened them with my tongue. A barely audible groan erupted from his chest.

The spell was broken by footsteps coming down the stairs.

"Hurry let's get you out of here." I said in panic. The steps were getting closer and closer.

We quickly moved towards the front door, making sure we didn't make any noise. I opened the door as softly as I could. Ian rushed out, but not before he gave me a smile that I returned with a small one of my own.

"Saviyah, what are you doing at the door this time?" Mama was right behind me and I hope she didn't see Ian. I slowly turned around.

"Uhm, I heard noises outside so I came to check." I crossed my fingers behind me.

"Oh, ok." She said as she made her way to the stairs. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I headed to the living room.

"And Saviyah next time tell him not to come at this time of the night. We wouldn't want those noises to hurt him, now do we." She gave me a knowing look, of I was not born yesterday day.

I gasped. How did she know? But before I could say anything she was already upstairs. Let me go sleep, today was draining.