WARMTH

Three hundred metres away from the main school building was a long, small building situated along the edge of the forest. It was significantly smaller then the school, with frosted windows, a mixture of wood and brick walls supporting a metal roof. Through the double window doors was a heated pool, twenty five meters in length. To my surprise, swimming was a mandatory Friday activity. I learned that it was more of a celebration for the end of a school week, an escape from the frosty Alaskan air.

I had a managed to successfully avoid joining my cohort at the pool for the hour and a half before the end of of the school day. Yet, after they all cleared out, I found my legs taking me straight towards that small building.

I didn't know if it was simply the frosty air, or the weight I felt pulsing down my chest whenever I thought about New York, the family I would never get to see again, but the rooted, frozen numbness in my bones was too overwhelming to ignore, and I craved the warmth of the pool so greatly it was like I was suffocating.

I know John and Christophe would be wondering where I was. Especially since I Chris let me drive. But I couldn't find it in me to care.

Not after my weird interaction with Chris this morning. Nearly killing Will. Will calling me gorgeous. 

I had managed to avoid him and his little pack of followers today at least. 

I pushed through the front doors. Taking in my surroundings. Boys and girls toilets on the far side, benches for sitting along the length of the pool. I headed for them. No-one else was inside, I could've sighed with relief. Especially since I hadn't brought actual swimmers with me.

But looking at the steamy water... I shrugged my backpack off, followed by my coat, followed by everything else I had on - until I was in my plain black, matching bra and underwear.

Yeh, I didn't have swimmers.

Glancing once more over the entire area, I dove. Until the sensation of warmth streamed up my body. The water was heavenly. So warm I could've fallen asleep.

I think for a while... I did.

Until a throat was cleared so close to me I jolted awake - making contact with silver eyes.

"Will?" I manage to blurt, heat rushing to my cheeks. He's perched on the side of the pool, black swim pants cover his lower half, his chest exposed. Not that I was complaining, I admit in horror. A hot flush pools through my body.

He eyes me off, "Are you okay? You looked like you were asleep?" I notice he's purposefully not looking anywhere but my eyes. It's comforting for some reason.

"Uh yeh," I manage to find my voice, "I guess I was just tired," he offers me a lazy smile, that, to my dismay, is gorgeous to look at.

I look away from him, keenly aware of my exposed breasts and bottom. The black fabric not offering much coverage. He seems to not mind though, before I can offer a poor excuse to leave he slides into the water, wading over to me.

"So what's your story new blood?" He stops right in front of me.

"My story?" I ask, still aware of my almost naked body.

"How did you wind up in this small town? We don't normally get new residence.... ever".

"Um like I said, from Livingston. Moved here with my two older brothers because our parents past away in a car crash," I was surprised the lack of emotion I felt, "needed a scenario change I guess."

He regards me, "I know this doesn't help but I'm sorry to hear." I nod my thanks. I move my arms out of the water,  running my fingers through my hair. His piercing silver eyes watch the movement so intently. His nostrils flare slightly.

His breathing suddenly increases.

I notice the shift in energy, "Are you okay?" My voice comes out husky, lower then normal.

He's starring at me now. The intensity of his expression causes me to bite my lip nervously.

He eyes the movement, "Who are you?" He sounds breathless.

"I told you..." He cuts me off by moving so he's right in front of me. He's much larger then I thought, easily towering over me. I look up at him through my long lashes. Surprised how... normal I feel. He's breathing heavily.

He sinks further into the water so we're face to face. I feel light when I look at him. Like I could float away. What feels like a haze clouds over my brain as I stare into his eyes. He stares back and I feel time slow down.

I don't register what I'm doing as I bring my legs up and wrap them around his torso. Usaing my hands to tread. He visibly tenses but makes no move to remove them. Instead he leans towards me, eyes fixating on my lips.

"Who..." He begins again, I cut him off by leaning forward and biting his bottoms lip with my teeth. A buzz of electricity goes through me as I capture his lip. I feel numb and awake at the same time.

He pulls back slightly, only to bring his lips back to mine. He shudders into the kiss, slowly peeling my mouth open with his tongue. My hands roam up his torso and into his dark hair. He feels so familiar to me I can't bring myself to pull away. To realize the reality of what I'm doing.

His large hands roam up my spine and into my hair. As he reaches my hair he bites down gently in my bottom lip. I can't help the light moan that escapes me.

He groans his approval, deepening the kiss. He pushes me through the water so my back is against the side of the pool. My legs tense around his torso as he bring his hands to my belly. Trailing up until they're right under my breasts. He removes them off my skin to move them finally to my breasts - 

- when the automatic school alarm goes off.

Whatever daze I was in immediately fractures. It seems to happen to him to as he pulls away from me so quickly I drop quickly into the water. I emerge, my hair soaking, to find him a length away from me.

He's panting, starring at me wide-eyed.

"What ," I begin to say but his growl interrupts me. Growl?

"What are you - I mean - how" he stutters, clenching and unclenching his fists.

"You can't just do that," he finally says. A scowl now ingrained on his gorgeous face.

Where I should feel anger at his statement, I feel the familiar numb cold replace the warmth I had starting feeling.

"I mean what game are you playing at?" He continues, "I haven't done anything to lead you to think I wanted that."

I don't point out that he didn't stop me. That he continued it. I didn't have the energy. I didn't have the energy to feel the sting of his words either. Or to feel embarrassed. His lips form at tight line from my lack of reply.

I just stare at him, before tuning my back and getting out the water. I'm keenly aware that I'm wearing a g-string, but I don't care. I don't pay attention to his movement as I chuck my hoodie over my head and walk out. Without shoes or pants.

I get into the truck and crank the heater. I wait for the tears to come as I drive home but they don't. The heater doesn't ease the coldness I feel throughout my body.