Land Of The Dead

2|| Reassurance.

Bulchewski High School.

Chloe's POV.

"I'll pick you guys up by 3 pm okay?" She poked her head out of the car and smiled at us.

"Yeah sure, see you!" I waved at her. "See you later squirt" I chimed at Kira and practically ran off.

"Slow down!" I heard her yell from afar but I didn't, not until I got to the unfinished building project at the far end of the school.

I slowed to a stop and took deep breaths to calm myself. My heart raced frantically against my chest and I couldn't help the smile that grew wider with every second that passed. I took some mints and chewed quickly, I had to get rid of my chicken breath.

I stood by the wall and took a breather. The sweat dried quickly and a cool breeze replaced the heat I felt. The ongoing building was not to be trespassed by students and that is precisely why we chose here as our rendezvous.

It was quiet, out of reach and out of sight from watchful eyes. Although I had to admit, it was much more quiet than usual. Almost eerie if I must say. I shook the feeling off and pulled my phone out. While I was thoroughly excited, I was also getting nervous with each passing minute.

"What are you doing?" Someone whispered next to me.

"Just making sure I look good-" I turned sideways to see amused blue eyes staring at me. "Oh my God, you scared me!" I held my chest and took a few steps away.

He laughed loudly. "Did I?"

I scowled at him with a small pout, he always did that despite knowing I didn't like that. "You need to stop sneaking up on me."

"I was going to give you a surprise hug actually, but watching you worry about how you look was much more interesting."

I returned my phone to my pocket. "It was?"

He nodded as he walked further into the building. "It was. You're cute, really cute. You know that?"

My lips tugged into a smile before I could control it. He leaned against a wall and crossed his leg a bit, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and his top three buttons were undone showing off the white tee underneath.

"How did your Easter break go?" I stood a few paces across for him.

"Er, it was not all bad..." He muttered and dipped his hands in his pocket.

"Oh come on, you flew to Aladiya! That place is hella fun." I wouldn't mind spending a few weeks there myself.

"It is fun, but I have more fun when I'm with you." He retrieved a packet of cigarettes and my smile dropped.

I marched up to him, snatched the stick before he could light it and stepped on it. "Smoking is bad for you." I exhaled angrily.

He looked at the stick beneath my shoe for at least three seconds before returning his gaze to me with a deep sigh. "I can't quit in one go, Chloe."

"Why not?" My frown deepened.

"I just can't, but I am trying. I smoke once a day now." He met my eyes.

We stared at each other for a while, his lips were drawn in a sad line, and his somewhat long auburn hair covered his pretty blue eyes. I pushed it away so I could get a clearer view, he wasn't lying.

I looked away with a sigh. "I'm sorry. I guess you are trying your best so I'll take it easy on you too." I slowly looked back at him.

He was already staring at me with a small smile dancing on his lips.

"What?"

"Nothing, it's just nice to have someone who cares about me." He broke into a full smile. “I respect you a lot Chloe.”

I smirked. “Oh, do you now?”

His left dimple called me to poke it but for once I resisted. “I do, I really do. The only reason why I brought out the cigarettes in front of you, knowing that you hate it was just to reassure myself that…” he looked away.

I grabbed his hand and rubbed it gently. Edward’s mother was the abusive type and while some may think him weak or insecure, I understood why he had the habit of being reassured of love. It happens to the best of us but in his case, it was even more needed.

“I love you, Edward. And when I say I love you, I mean I love all of you. Every shade and every bit and piece that makes you Edward Gilmount.” I breathed softly and kissed his palm.

He pulled me in for a forehead kiss. “I love you too Chloe Gomez, so much it drives me nuts.” He chuckled against my forehead. “And even if I am driven nuts, I will still love you.”

Heat crept up my cheeks and around my ears. With how close we were I was positive that he could hear just how fast my heart was beating. I cleared my throat and turned to walk away but he grabbed my hand. "I don't like distance, you know that."

This boy is driving me crazy with how direct he is today. I really couldn't resist smiling whenever I was around him. "You know we're in school right?" I warned.

He tilted his head. "Yes... and??"

I blinked, at a loss for words. "What do you mean 'and?' We can easily be seen and you-" I tried to pull my hand out of his grip.

"When have I ever cared what people think?" His grip tightened.

"I know you don't but that's because–" He tugged me into him. I crashed into his open arms. "Edward!" I whispered-yelled, my heart felt like it would beat out of my chest.

"Chloe." He placed his finger under my chin and lifted my head slowly until our eyes met. His eyes had one single emotion- desire and it drove me crazy.

Yes, I have said he drove me crazy several times already but that is exactly what he did. It would be a miracle if I don’t run mad after this encounter.

"We aren't wrong for loving differently." His breath fanned my face. It was a nice combination of mint and the strawberry flavoured stick-sweet I often found in his mouth.

“But-”

“Shh.”

His pupils dilated as our faces drew closer and closer to each other, and my heart raced at the forthcoming kiss. His lips were soft and melted against my own. I moaned softly into his mouth and he darted his tongue into mine, asking for entrance.

I felt him chuckle against my lips at how quick I was to let him in. Call me shrewd but how I’ve longed for this all day throughout the holiday. Our tongues explored each other's mouths, his easily winning the battle of dominance. My hands reached for his soft hair and pulled him closer to me so we could deepen our kiss. He smiled against my lips and ended the kiss.

I gaped at him. "That was too short!"

He chuckled. "We have to get to class."

And as if on cue the bell rang.

"Do I look like I care?" I whined.

His smile increased along with the distance between us. "Unlike me, you are an academic genius."

"B-but!"

He shook his head dismissively. "I'll see you later." He waved at me and disappeared behind a corner.

Did he really get me hot and bothered just to leave me here?! How infuriating! I scowled in the direction he had just left and picked my bag up, stupid bell!