Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Chapter twenty one.

Zack's POV

"Really, I'm not the one pressuring you, James. You are. You are the one forcing yourself to the dark, and i will no longer press you to tell me further. I just thought it would be okay." I tell him, looking straight into his eyes. His are on mine too, his dark brown eyes grilling into mine. The waves break, the energy that follows spiking into my veins. I want to touch him, so I use my hands to sweep down his arms, letting my palms feel the intensity of his muscles.

"As you have said, maybe we should leave then."

"No." He is quick to stop me on my track, though, it's not like I have started walking away. That's not how you do it.

I don't say anything, rather wait for him to take his time, which takes too long than should have. After the long drawn out moment, he starts. "I don't want to think about him, but his monstrous face just gets stuck inside my head. He is the reason why mother died. He never cared, he was an addict. That's all you need to know for now, Zack." This time that he says so, he really mean it. Remember what I mentioned the other time earlier, that "the tone is everything" speech? This is what I meant. His tone means everything; means he wants no more talk about his family life. I've sensed so too. But in my mind, I feel relieved that I've helped him. At least if I wouldn't be seeing him constantly anymore, it will be nice to help him out now. He looks bit free by the way.

"Who was it?"

"My father." And I have to ignore the eyeing he gave me when I asked that question. He isn't happy with it. There's disgust.

"Okay."

"Okay." He says back, and I nod, then, this time preparing to leave for real. As I will pass by him, he grabs my arm, and pulls me back. Next I feel is his lips on mine.

At first i don't kiss him back, but within the next two seconds, I'm kissing him back. My brain is momentarily free from all previous thought, or not-so-nice feeling that I have for the eye he gave me earlier.

After a while of his lips on mine, my hands have come to his neck, and wrapped themselves around there. Everything I'm following is all based on instinct. His tongue enters my mouth, making me open my mouth wider. I don't moan, I can't even think of it. All I concentrate on is the taste of his mouth, though it is neutral, it is alluring I'll defend.

When he pulls back, I did not expect it. I thought we will still last more. Oh, God, I'm not thinking. If I am allowing this, that means we might...

"This will my last attempt, Zack. When you want me, you'll let me know, but remember, you'll make the advances, not me. I don't want to feel like I'm forcing you on anything." His words stops my train of thoughts. What the heck is be saying? Do I look like someone who is being forced right now? Hell yeah, no!

I groan, not knowing what to say. I feel like he is rejecting me somehow. "I didn't stop you this time." How quickly the conversation changed.

"I know. I didn't say you did." He still seems angry. Maybe I shouldn't talk anymore.

"So, are we not going to be doing anything?" I want to know. And when I ask, I asked shyly. That is just me with someone whom I just meet, and is a gay.

"Not until you approve it." After a brief pause, he adds. "Let's go back now. You should grab your sleep."

So, we are pretending now? Like nothing had happened? Okay then.

"I slept before."

"You are drunk. You will want your sleep again."

I should stop staring at his lips. I change my eyes direction to anywhere other than his statue.

"Okay." Is all I reply with, and walk back. Since I know the way, I didn't ask for his guidance, nor wait for him to catch up with me. When we get back to the meeting place, it remains just Jason and Ariana.

"Where is Rebecca, and Adam?" James ask the question I would have asked myself internally.

"They have left. Got very tired, and stupor. Had to leave." Jason is all focused on Ariana, can't blame why he would explains things in short forms to us.

"Okay." James says, and gesute with a wave of his hand that we leave too. It will only remain the couples.

"Who will pack?"

"Jason, of course. He brought it. He will take it back."

I flare my eyes in astonishment. "He got all those things for us, and he will be the one to pack it again? That's just not nice. Won't he be—"

"Offended?"

Do you have to take the words from me?

Yeah, he just has too, Mr. I-will-not-make-anymore-advances-until-you-did-first. Very cruel decision he will come to for the both of us. I am angered at him, and I don't know why.

"No, he won't be." James adds, and we go into silence. I guess after all, I just need my sleep.

When we pass by the apple tree, my mind didn't even go back to the plucking, and when we get back to the cabin, I ask him in the living room, as he walks off...heading to the kitchen, I suppose.

"Where's Mr. West? I should see him before sleeping." I really feel sleepy now.

"No, you can't." He can't decide that again. He can not.

"Why?"

"It's obvious. Because you are drunk. He doesn't like smelling the scent of alcohol." I assume he is using style to call me a drunkard. But then again, maybe I'm the one overthinking all his words, and action.

"Okay, I need my sleep then. Night. Help me greet him." I say, and go up to my temporary room. Entering, I close the door behind me, and plop into the bed.