Falling from the Top

Chapter 15

A loud bang on my door startled me awake. A pissed-off voice soon followed.

"Ariana, for Christ's sake wake up! We have to get ready because the freaking plane leaves in an hour!" Ava screamed from the hallway.

I rubbed my face with the back of my hand and groaned. An other groaned, deep and clearly masculin answered me. 

Hold on! Masculin?!

I rose quickly, so quickly that I saw red and blue spots dance in front of me. I tried to push the covers of me but a heavy weight was keeping them in place. I looked at the warm body next to me and sighed, relieved.

I nudged Etienne's shoulder, softly and he groaned again. He clearly wasn't a morning person. I glanced at my clock, that indicated ten A.M. Ava was right: the plane left in less than an hour and we still had to get to the airport. I had to wake up Etienne before he made us all miss the plane.

Bending forward, my face inches from his, I caressed his cheeks. He was fast asleep, his head buried in the pillow and turned my way. His arms were curled around the cushion and he was still standing about the covers. I didn't know how he survived the night because even with the covers, I was cold. 

Taking support on my arm, I said his name softly and stroked his cheek again. This time, he mumbled something before turning. In his movement, he hit my arm. Loosing my balance, I fell right on top of his chest, my other hand landing right next to his face. With the shock of the fall, I didn't immediately get off him, I simply raised my head, meeting his green eyes.

The impact surely woke him up. He was looking at me with wide eyes. I wanted to apologize but I was interrupted by his fiery gaze. They expressed something intimate, something that he only wanted me to know and then, they shifted to my mouth and to my eyes again. I felt my breath hitch inside my throat and I felt my stomach tighten in apprehension. 

Was this seriously happening? Was I really acting like a teenage girl standing in front of a boy, waiting for him to kiss her? Did he actually want to kiss me? I was so confused. And confused isn't my middle name.

He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and he slowly cupped my face. Etienne's lips curled into a smile and I lowered my gaze, embarrassed. I felt him bent a little, so our faces were nearly touching. I looked at him once more and felt my body flare.  He stroked my cheek and I, this time, moved closer. He took a deep breath, as if getting ready for the big jump and,... A huge thump erupted from my door.

"ARIANA ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!" 

I rapidly jumped off Etienne and sat at my side of the bed. "I'll be out in a minute!" I screamed back. I was surprised at how confident my voice sounded, even though I was shaky. The scene of what happened a few instant ago, and that Ava had kindly interrupted, went on and on in my head. I was so lost that I nearly forgot about Etienne's presence. I turned around to see him in my exact position, a hand ruffling through his hair.

He must've felt my gaze on him, as he turned to face me. None of us spoke. It was useless. We both understood that it shouldn't have happened and that it was not to be spoken of. But in this simple eyecontact, I also saw how much he regretted Ava's interruption. Almost as much as me. Then, he got up and walked to my side of the bed, to pick up his shoes. I got up, grabbing his arm. 

I smiled faintly. "Be ready in 20 minutes. We really have to go."

He laughed, but it sounded a little forced. "Please Ariana, I'm a boy. Only few seconds would be required in order for me to be ready."

I tried to laugh, in vain. We walked through the door and I opened it cautiously, making sure no one was standing in the corridors. Once I saw the way was clear, I pushed him outside, telling him that I'll see him later.