“I decided that I’m definitely gonna be a model, that’s why I’m doing the contest,” she said as if I’d asked. “Modelling is just more glamorous than acting, you know?”
I forced a smile, not that she looked away from the mirror to see my reaction. Thankfully, my phone buzzed as a text message came through, distracting me from wanting to murder my cousin. Cole’s timing was amazing. ‘Heard you’re at Barbie’s! Not killed her yet? Hurry up and come home! X’. I smiled and put the phone back in my pocket.
At seven-thirty in the evening, after a long day of trying to avoid Lizzie as much as possible, Mum finally said it was time to leave. I could have kissed her I was that relieved.
Waving goodbye from the car, my shoulders sagged in relief. Jasper let out a deep sigh and laid his head on the headrest. “Thank God that’s over,” he muttered. I nodded in agreement and closed my eyes for the journey.
As we pulled into our drive, Cole appeared from his front door.
“Mind if I steal her?” he called across our neighbour’s garden.
“Back by eleven, Oakley,” Dad told me sternly.
Cole grinned; the little dimple at the side of his mouth became more pronounced.
“I’ll walk her home just before.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me along behind him. My heart leapt at the feel of his hand in mine. Cole eagerly pulled me into his house and up the stairs to his room. He pointed to the bed, put a DVD on, and walked back out without a word. He was probably getting drinks and a snack.
I glanced at the movie he had rented sitting on his bed and groaned internally as I read the title The Hills Have Eyes. I hated gory films. The site of blood made me feel sick.
I got under his cover and pulled my knees up. If I was going to make it through the film, I needed to be able to hide, so I grabbed his pillow and wedged it between my chest and legs, where I could tuck my head into it if I didn’t want to see/hear what was happening.
Cole laughed as he came back into the room. He sat beside me with the bowl of popcorn on his lap and bottle of coke lying between us.
“It’s not even started, you big baby,” he teased, shuffling closer, so our shoulders were toughing.
“So, was Lizzie her usual charming self?” he asked casually, not looking away from the TV. I nodded again. Cole knew what she was like. I think deep down everyone did, but they never really said anything to her about her behaviour because she would probably flip out.
“She’s just jealous of you.”
I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows sceptically. Jealous! What on earth did Lizzie have to be jealous of me for?
“I’m serious, Oakley. You’re smart, kind, considerate, thoughtful, and unbelievably beautiful,” he whispered, looking into my eyes. “Don’t ever let anyone make you think otherwise.”
I couldn’t breathe. That was so sweet. No one had ever said anything like that to me before, well except Mum, but that didn’t count – she was my mum.
He closed the distance between us slowly. His eyes locked on my lips for a second, and he tangled his fingers in my hair. My breath caught in my throat as his nose grazed mine and his lips parted. Cole was so close, but it was still too far. His breath blew lightly over my face making any coherent thoughts impossible. Finally, after what seemed like hours, his lips brushed against mine.
He pulled away after a second and looked into my eyes. I felt weightless, like I could just float off. His forehead creased as he frowned in concentration. It was as if he was trying really hard to figure something out. Figure out what he wanted? Trying to decide if it would be worth it? Whatever it was, he must have found the answer because he leant forward again and kissed me. Our lips moved together perfectly. I was scared that I would be a bad kisser, but it wasn’t bad. It felt so natural.
I couldn’t understand what was happening to me. He made my whole body feel hot, like my blood was boiling in my veins. I wanted to be closer to him, but I was scared to get too close. Cole was everything to me, and I trusted him with my life, but I wasn’t sure if I could go any further.
Surrendering to the new and confusing feelings, I dug my fingers into his back and pulled him even closer to me. He ran his hands through my hair, holding my head against his. It was almost as if he was scared that I would run away. Running wasn’t something that I thought I could do even if I wanted too. He made me feel too good.
When his tongue lightly grazed my bottom lip, I froze. It was like an intrusion and no matter how good I felt that scared me to death. Cole pulled back, his eyes wide with worry. “What? Are you okay?”