After a sleepless night, morning finally came. Up and ready I made a slice of toast and smothered it with strawberry jam. I held the toast in my mouth as I packed my pens and paints. I flung my bag over my shoulder, rushing out of the front door to the bus stop. I finally finished my piece of toast which made my fingers sticky.

I stood checking my watch every couple of seconds waiting for the bus. It was late. When it eventually turned up I got on board. There were a few heads that popped up to see me saunter along the aisle. We arrived at Evan’s stop. I took in a deep breath as he got on, heading towards me. I noticed a couple of school girls looking at him and giggling to each other.

“Good morning,” he chirped. He had a big smile on his face and he looked perfect. His hair looked perfect, his smile was perfect. Everything about him was perfect. Well looks wise he was perfect, his personality needed a bit of work.

He sat down in the seat beside me. He smelt gorgeous. His cologne was not too strong, but not too weak. I raised an eyebrow. Did he make an effort for me?

We arrived at our stop. As we both stood up to get off the bus, Evan held his hand out to me and I glanced up at him, confused.

“I’ll carry your bag for you.” He wriggled his fingers.

“No, its fine,” I said, getting off the bus. Evan quickly grabbed my shoulder, pulling me to a stop.

The bus drove off.

“Let me carry it.” I let out a long sigh and handed my bag over to him. I wanted to smile at the fact that he was trying, but I held it back.

“Can I sit with you at lunch?” Evan asked me. I smiled at the enthusiasm in his voice. I nodded in agreement. Evan’s smile widened, revealing his pearly whites. His smile always pulls strings in my heart. I had to admit that he was trying hard. He seemed more relaxed being around me.

We both stopped as we had to head off in separate ways. He handed my bag back and we parted ways, giving me a quick hug before he left. My exhibition was getting closer and the nerves had started to kick in. I wondered if Evan would come. It was a free exhibition for anyone to come and see. I hoped for Evan to join. Maybe I needed to ask him?

◎

“Good morning,” James said as I walked into the art room. He was there again; this time packing away my art pieces, one by one.

“Morning, are you here to take all my artwork?” I asked, smiling as I set my bag down on the table, watching my art pieces being placed gently into his black leather briefcase.

“Yes and there is something else I wanted to ask you.”

I glanced up at him.

“What’s that?”

“Well, I was hoping I could take you out for dinner, like a date.”

I stood there in silence. I took in a deep breath to give him an answer but nothing came out from my mouth. I parted my lips and closed them again, contemplating about what I was going to say. Considering things seemed to be looking up for Evan and I, and the fact he was trying so hard to gain my trust, this wouldn’t be very trustworthy of me.

“That was stupid of me, I shouldn’t have asked you something inappropriate.” James jumped in before I could give him a reply.

Even though Evan has screwed this up a few times, I don’t want to stoop to his level. I’m still waiting for Evan to show me his true feelings.

“It’s not stupid James, I appreciate that you feel that way. But I do have some things on my mind.” I replied. I looked at James and I could see he felt rejected. “I already have feelings for someone.” To be honest, if I played Evan at his own game I would hurt James’s feelings so I can’t give him what he wants. But, I’m sure he will meet a wonderful woman who is worth his time.

James didn’t seem to be phased by my confession. He already knew I liked someone else, but tried his luck anyway.

Though it’s nice to have some attention, he’s feeding my ego ready for Evan to knock it back down again. Although I don’t have any feelings or emotional connection with James, he would make a great friend - which I hope to be.

“I thought that might be the case. The way you looked at him yesterday, I could see it clearly. You know where I am if you ever need me,” He nodded at me while picking up my work. I just stood there in silence, watching him. He started to walk towards the door and then stopped.

I followed his gaze to see Evan standing in the doorway, leaning against the wooden frame. His eyes locked on mine. My heart beat was out of control, bumping so hard in my chest you could almost see it. I didn’t know what to do. Evan may have heard my confession.

Oh gosh, what if he did hear it. What do I do? What should I say now? He’s going to take advantage of this situation.

James nodded to him and walked past, suddenly I didn’t want to be left alone especially with him. Evan’s eyes never left mine. James disappeared around the corner and Evan stood staring at me. He made no attempt to walk towards me and didn’t even speak a word.

My feet were frozen to the spot. I couldn’t move, it’s as if he cast a spell on me. An icy feel travelled up my legs as I gazed into his eyes. Suddenly his body moved away from the door frame, with me still frozen to the spot. I could feel the palms of my hands sweating and my body heated under his gaze with every slow step he took towards me.

“Can you repeat those last words?” He was closing the distance between us and I took a step back meeting with the cold wall, feeling trapped. My lips began to tremble as I tried to say something. No words came out. My mouth was paralysed. Evan’s eyes were still fixed on me as the distance between was so little, the only thing I could do was obey.

Why the hell did he have to hear that? Now he knows my true feelings, that I so badly didn’t want him to find out so soon.

“F-feelings,” I stuttered.

I can’t let him know, not now. He still needs to earn my trust, but what should I do? Maybe him knowing isn’t such a bad idea?

I could feel his body heat against mine. He stopped right in front of me with his eyes still gazing into mine. His breath swept across my face, the smell of mint and chocolate assailing me. My eyes slowly moved down to his lips. They looked kissable and I was tempted. I slowly ran my tongue gently along my bottom lip, then nibbling it. I felt Evan’s body harden, which I mimicked.

I lifted up my hand and placed it on the back of his neck. I felt him twitch beneath my touch. I pulled his face closer to mine and pressed my lips onto his soft ones. I went to pull away from the gentle peck but he suddenly crushed his lips back against mine. I closed my eyes as I felt a hot flush through my body. He pressed his body against mine with his hands on either side of my face as our lips moved together. Everything was moving so fast, but I couldn’t push him away. I could feel the electricity flow through our lips. He travelled his tongue on my bottom lip, but I declined him entry. What was happening to me? I was surrendering to him and I shouldn’t’ve been. He tried once more and this time I let him in.

Amelia Graham, what the hell are you doing? This is dangerous. You totally took advantage of this situation instead.

The kiss wasn’t hard or fast but it was sweet. He held my face in his hands as he kissed me tenderly feeling his emotions pour into me. I liked the fact he didn’t rush me, he was being gentle and it made me want more. It made me hungry for him.

I opened an eye, curious to what expression Evan was wearing. That’s when I noticed someone standing by the door, watching us. I quickly pushed Evan away and he groaned. He turned his gaze in the same direction I was looking. From the way she was staring at us, my guess was that Evan had not told her anything yet. I looked away, knowing clearly I was in her position with Evan once. I knew he was dangerous and still fell for his tricks, look where it’s got me. I’ve hurt someone else’s feelings, though he did the same to me with her. I know how it feels and now I’ve stooped to the level I refused to stoop to.

She shook her head in anger and if looks could kill, I would be dead. I saw different emotions flash through her face and then she stomped towards me, but Evan stepped in her way. She stopped in front of Evan; eyes filled with tears. She lifted her hand and slapped him across the face. He hung his head as his hand came up to his cheek. A tear suddenly escaped down her face but she quickly wiped it away and I felt Evan’s body stiffen. He’d just realised her feelings for him and so had I. Though I tried not to look at them, it was hard to ignore when the pair stared into each other’s eyes. I wanted to leave. It was intense and there was something that needed to be settled. There was something that I had noticed, it wasn’t her that was in the way - it was me.

She ran out of the room and Evan chased after her. It could go either way, but, with my luck, he would choose her. It was obvious how she felt about him – maybe I was just someone to use to tease her with. I didn’t want that, but if that was his decision, who was I to stop him? I bit my lip, holding back the tears. I’d thought this was going to be the start of something new, something fresh for me.

I sat down in my usual seat waiting for him to return. Actually I was hoping he would return. I grabbed my bag and placed it in my arms, holding it tightly. This may be selfish of me, but I wanted him. I wanted to be the only one in his thoughts. When did I become so greedy? When did I become so desperate?

He finally walked back into the room. He dropped himself in a chair opposite me as he rubbed his hands over his face. He let out a heavy sigh before turning to me. His eyes found mine and we sat in silence for a moment. He parted his lips a couple of times before he managed to get the words out.

“Amelia,” he said. I choked as he spoke my name. “She told me she loves me and always has done.” I just sat there listening to every word that he said.

“But…” He hung his head as I waited for him to say more. I shifted in my seat as I waited for him to speak again. My eyes were focused on my thumbs fiddling with each other as I waited for that answer, hoping it would be different.

Please don’t say it; please don’t tell me you love her.

“I don’t love her, not like that.” My head shot up from my hands. My eyes snapped up to his searching for the truth and I could see there was more.

He placed his hands out on the table for me to grab. He held them tightly as his eyes gazed into mine. I saw a sudden sadness in his eyes. There was something else that he wanted to tell me, but he clearly wasn’t ready just yet. Evan moved around the table to take a seat next to me, he took my hands in his, they were trembling.

“I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t fall in love with anyone.” His voice sounded shaky. I looked at him, confused. I held his hand tighter, trying to comfort him. “But I couldn’t stop myself falling for you and I still am, every day. But I want you to promise me something.” He watched me for a reaction.

“Yes…”

“Do you promise you will always be by my side, no matter what happens?” I stared into his eyes as he waited for an answer. I bit my bottom lip and nodded my head slowly. He was letting me into his heart, but I could see there was more to it. Just what is he protecting?

“I promise I will always be there and by your side until you say otherwise,” I replied with a smile. I was sure about my decision – he was changing my world so quickly.

“Amelia?” he started, but I put my finger up to stop him.

“Firstly, let’s take this slow. There is no rush for anything and secondly, don’t ask me just yet, get to know me.”

“Of course, I still need to earn your trust after all.”

“You’re half way there, I’m happy to get to know you more first. I’m not going to go anywhere. We also have to take in consideration of other people’s feelings; I don’t want to hurt people around us. We’ve done enough damage to certain others and it’s barely fair on them. We have to be honest with ourselves.”

It makes me happy that he’s trying hard for me. He’s starting to respect me more and I like it. He put his arms around me, pulling me close to his chest. I placed my head on him listening to the quickening sound of his heart beat which matched mine.

I was one step closer to being Evan Wood’s girlfriend. For the second time I got to know a piece of Evan that no one knew.

Only take one step at a time, Amelia.