Chapter 02: Heat Up

Chapter Two

"It’s getting late, we should hurry" Brad remarked   

I nodded and we rushed towards the bus station. Cole followed our steps silently.

            The bus was full to the doors so we hurried up to climb in. First went Brad, he offered me a hand to climb in and Cole after me. By the minute we got in, the door creaked and closed behind us and the driver pulled away.

            The bus was so full and there was barely enough space to the three of us to fit in the entrance. I had to grip at both Brad and Cole to keep my balance when the bus pulled away.  Obviously since North High was a public University, the food and transport accommodations left to wonder. Besides, it was Monday and Mondays are always crowded. 

Ugh, I cannot stand the noise and wish I had my earphones right now

The voices of the students grew louder. I was inches close facing Cole who had his back against the door while Brad was standing by my side.

"Ladies and gentlemen please fasten your belts and prepare yourselves for a journey of wander!" Brad announced mimicking a host girl's voice.

"Remind me again why we're friends?"  I replied sarcastically rolling my eyes at him.

"Because you think he's Brad Pitt" Cole chuckled

"No!" I said

"Actually she's the cousin of Brad Pitt" Brad teased

I narrowed my eyes and spared Brad a daggering glare that said, really.

"Really?" Cole voiced out my inner thought again but more on an interrogative tone than on a sarcastic one.

"Yeah, Ivy's last name is Pitt" Brad blabbed.

"It's Pitterson," I said behind gritted teeth shooting daggers at Brad. I swear I wanted to smack his face with something to make him shut up whenever he made that stupid–not so funny–joke about my last name.

"Okay, calm down Poison Ivy!" Brad giggled.

"Now you leave her alone." Cole tells off Brad rather on a protective tone.

I, however was annoyed then confused and then both at the same time

"Did you just call me poison Ivy?" I admonished

"Okay, Okay! I did not mean it anyway; I swear, "Brad raised both his hands in surrender

“You…” I narrowed my eyes at him

"Angry doesn't suit you though, you know" Cole interrupted.  I admit that his sweet playful tone had me off guard.

"Yeah he's right cousin," Brad agreed. I looked from one to the other

"Okay fine!" I rolled my eyes and chuckled. Next thing the three of us shared a laugh.

 The Bus made an abrupt stop and I reached out my hand forward to grip at anything in order to keep my feet on the ground. Cole grabbed my forearm to help me stay in place and a heat wave ran through my entire body.

The back door of the bus creaked and apparently, another person climbed in behind Cole, which caused him to close the distance between us, and almost enveloping me with his body. He gripped a pole behind me with one hand, and the other he rested in his pocket.

"You can grip at my shirt" Cole uttered, in a low deep voice "As long as you don't rip if off" he added teasingly, a smug smirk on his face as my eyes widened at his suggestion and I felt my cheeks boiling in embarrassment.

  God, as tempting as it sounded I'd happily rip that shirt off him for sure; there goes my inappropriate thoughts.

Did he really just say that? And what is going on with me for God's sake

"Uh…okay” I stuttered letting out an uneven breath as I saw his Adam’s apple move when he chuckled all the more amused.

Damn he was so close. I felt self-conscious all of a sudden.  I don't usually get intimidated easily but that was different .

            I realized that we were standing almost against each other's bodies. Although I wasn’t a shortie, he was fairly taller; towering my figure with a few inches.

 I stood right under his chin almost against his chest so all I could see was his neck and shoulders.

            I noticed his neck was sweaty from the heat and his broad shoulders were almost enveloping my figure.   Even though I was certainly not the average short girl, I felt so small compared to him. That was somewhat intimidating I admit. My height had always given me strength to face whatever life threw at me but at that moment I kind of felt fragile and weak like any other woman when compared to a man.

            I stood there contemplating the thin skin of his neck. My eyes travelled a little further to see the triangle of flesh through his steel blue buttoned shirt.  I was so close to him that I could inhale his perfume. God his sent was intoxicating!

What the hell is happening to me?

His jaw line was perfect with three days light stubble and defined lips. I thought while dampening my lower lip and biting at it lightly.

I slowly raised my eyes until they locked with his orbs. I felt a twitch in my stomach when I met them

            This was so disturbing and uncomfortable that I instantly lowered head staring at the floor instead. I felt heat building up in my cheeks. It was definitely not due to the weather.

 What the hell just happened? I squealed inwardly,

What were you thinking Ivy; Looking up at him while he was so close?

Why was it affecting me anyway? The proximity of our bodies was messing with my head. I felt Cole turning away his head to the window while he stood still apparently not minding me at all.

  Damn it Ivy! What was that?   My inner voice scolded.

 I hardly took breathed in and looking towards Brad who was now standing beside me. He was talking on the phone and not paying attention to what was happening in here.

Suddenly the bus braked. I lost my balance and was about to fall when I felt a grip on my waist.

 A shivery wave run over my body as I felt the heat from Cole’s hands pressed around me. I looked at him and I knew if he didn’t hold me I would have fallen.  Realizing that his hands were the only thing holding me right then as I was barely standing on my jelly-like feet.

 Cole took a step back; his hands always around my middle; It felt as if he lifted me for a while and pinned me down so easily.

So much for a feather's size girl

"Are you okay?" He asked with a soft tone that showed me just how much he affected me; looking into my eyes waiting for a response that pathetically couldn’t come out of my mouth.  He smiled and I felt my cheeks heating up even more if that was possible.

"Uh… s… sorry ", I managed to stammer at last, looking between us and seeing his hands on my waist.

I looked up again and he was staring at me intently, my eyes fluttered

"I 'm … I'm fine" I breathed out.

 He nodded finally before pulling back his hands from my waist .I could feel the tingles on my skin where his hands were and my body shivered.