Page 10 of Through My Window
I realize how limited my knowledge about Ares really is, despite having had a crush on him for so long.
“Why are you still here?” His question hurts me a little. Does he want me to leave?
“I’m afraid to go back alone, I told you.”
Ares releases the smoke in his mouth and touches a space next to him before speaking.
“Come, sit next to me. Don’t be afraid of me. According to this bizarre situation I should be the scared one, little stalker.”
I swallow, but I obey like a puppet. I sit next to him, and he continues to smoke. We remain silent for a while and my thoughts wander. I can’t believe I said all those things to him. I shiver a little. Even though it’s dark, I can see clearly. The moon has already made its way out from the black clouds, illuminating the cemetery. It’s not the most romantic view in the world, but being next to Ares makes it tolerable.
I glance at his profile, and his eyes are on the horizon. God, he’s so handsome. As if sensing my gaze, Ares turns to me.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I look away.
“You like to read.”
“Yes. How do you know?”
“Your computer had a lot of information. It’s like an electronic diary.”
“You still haven’t apologized for hacking my computer.”
“I won’t.”
“You violated federal law by doing that, you know that, don’t you?”
“And you violated, like, three by stalking me, you know that, too, don’t you?”
“Good point.”
My phone rings, and I answer it quickly. It’s Dani.
“Why aren’t you answering your phone?” she demands. “This is, like, my third attempt. Your mother couldn’t reach you, so she just called me and asked what time you’ll get home. She thinks you’re still with me.”
“Tell her I’m on my way.”
“Where the hell are you? I know soccer practice ended a long time ago.”
“I’m . . .” I glance at Ares, and he gives me a mischievous smile. “At the bakery, I’m craving a donut.” An extremely attractive donut.
“A donut? But you hate them!”
I bite my lip. “Just tell my mom I’m on my way.” I hang up before she can ask me another question.
Ares keeps that smile on his lips, and I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to kiss him. “You just lied. Am I your dark secret?”
“No, it’s just that explaining over the phone would have been complicated.” Before he asks more questions about why I didn’t tell Dani the truth, I continue. “Could you . . . walk with me? At least as far as the street, from there I can go on alone.”
“Yes, but that comes at a price.” He gets up.
“A price?”
“Yes.” He takes his umbrella and points it at me, forcing me to step back to keep the tip of it from touching my chest. “Let me kiss you wherever I want.”
My cheeks burn. “That’s . . . that’s a high price, don’t you think?”
