Just you and I

My body stiffened when his breath felt so close to my neck. With his deep voice so close to my ears and his hands on my shoulders, time seemed to have stopped and I froze along with it.

"Hey." I managed to compose myself and looked at the tall figure now standing in front of me.

(Why does his touch feel so warm yet so nerve wrecking? )

" Shall we go, Miss?"

I nodded my head in agreement.

While on our way to his house, Zeph pulled out his earphones from his pocket and handed one to me.

" I want you to listen to this song."

He plugged the chord into his phone and started playing the song.

It went something like,

" And I know I can tell you anything

You won't judge, you're just listening,

'Cause you're the best thing that ever happened to me

'Cause my darling, you and I could take over the world

One step at a time, just you and I

'Cause you're the only one who brings light just like the sun

One step at a time, just you and I."

" It's beautiful. Which song is this?"

" Just you and I by Tom Walker. This song reminds me of you. I think you're the best thing that has happened to me, Jen." His dimples now showed themselves as he looked at me and smiled.

I was overwhelmed by what he said. My cheeks were as red as they could ever be. It's funny how in such a short period, we'd grown so close to each other. I smiled and looked at his dark brown eyes that looked all the more beautiful under the sun.

" I never thanked you properly for that day," he said.

" You don't have to thank me," I assured him.

" But I want to, Jen."

" You took care of me at that time with such ease. Your warm hug helped me relax. When you held my hand, it felt as though everything would be okay. I don't know how to thank you."

" There's no need to. Friends are supposed to be there for each other in times of need."

(Friends. For some reason I didn't like that word when it came to us. )

" By the way, you smell like sweet cherries," Zeph whispered into my ear.

It should not come as a surprise that I was actually as red as a cherry when he said that.

The rest of the walk was spent in silence. Somehow even silence wasn't awkward with him anymore.

*****

" I'm nervous," I looked at Zeph and said out loud.

" You'll do great." Zeph patted my shoulder and smiled.

The presentation was gonna start in about 20 minutes.

I heard Kaitlyn's sweet voice from across the hallway.

" Guys, I believe in all of us. We're gonna kill this presentation," she said while making her way into the hall room.

I smiled at her nervously and looked at Zeph. He nodded and smiled at me. His eyes seemed to have said, " Don't worry Jen, I'm right here with you."

Suddenly I felt my stomach churning and forming a pit inside.

I held onto Zephyr's arm and pulled him back.

" It's gonna start, I can feel it," I stuttered.

" What's wrong? What are you talking about?" Zeph turned around, pressed my shoulders and looked at me with a worried expression.

Before I could say anything more, I started to shiver uncontrollably. With my teeth gritting against one another, my legs wobbling and my hands shaking, it wasn't a pretty sight. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths but it was of no use. It didn't stop.

The next minute, I felt his muscular arms engulf me into an embrace. I was pressed against Zeph's chest and I could feel his rock hard body against my cheeks. He smelt like fresh wood. It felt warm and comforting. In a few minutes, I stopped shivering and I was back to normal.

Once I was stable, Zeph hugged me tighter and whispered into my ear, " You scared the crap out of me Jen. Are you alright now?"

" I'm fine. I get this whenever I'm nervous or anxious. Thank you," I said as I hugged him back.

" You don't need to do this if you don't want to. I could talk to Kaitlyn." He rested his chin on my head and rubbed my back.

" No, I'm fine. I'm ready. Let's go kill this presentation." I looked up to him and smiled.

" Are you sure?"

" Yes, I can do this." I nodded.

Zeph smiled and released me from his embrace. He took my hand and held it until it was our turn to speak.

" You ready?" He asked, squeezing my hand gently.

I nodded with a yes.

Thankfully the presentation went really well. Better than my expectations. Even our professor complimented us for our team work and sincere efforts.

" You were great up there, Jen." Zephyr patted my shoulder, flashing his bright smile.

" Thank you Zeph, I couldn't have done it without you."

" Oh my god! Jen, you were amazing up there. I'm so proud of you." I heard a familiar voice call out from behind me.

Alex came running towards me and hugged me tight. Nat joined in and they both squeezed the life out of me.

" I'll leave you girls to it." Zephyr patted my shoulder and walked out of the hall room.