EIGHT

pov : aira

Maybe I am having a case of Stockholm Syndrome.

Does Stockholm Syndrome make one's panties wet?

No?

It doesn't?

Oh well.

I have read somewhere that it takes weeks for Stockholm Syndrome to appear. But, it has been only one day.

Oh shit. I'm having a severe case of Stockholm Syndrome.

Or maybe I am just going crazy.

"Oi bitch! What are you thinking? Are you daydreaming of Oliver's Cock-a-Saurus Rex?"

It took me a moment to figure it out. "No!" I squealed when Samantha gave me a blank expression.

I looked behind to see Oliver ordering two cups of Milkshakes from a scrawny brown-haired boy named Billy. He decided to finally go to the local park at my lack of response earlier.

It's clearly not my fault that he manages to shut down all my systems, except my reproductive system, which operates heavily whenever he is around.

"I can see you undressing him with your eyes Aira," Samantha whispered and I turned to look at her, narrowing my eyes at her.

"I have to tell you a lot." I wavered. "Not now. Later."

"What time?"

"Um..." I hesitated. "Not sure. He is bringing me to the park."

"The park? That's the most boring-ass place on earth. What are you two going to do there? Fly kites?" She asked, looking incredulous.

"I don't know. What is improper with flying kites anyway?" I whisper-yelled at her, occasionally eyeing Oliver, to make sure he was not listening to the conversation. Samantha rolled her eyes.

"I won't be here one second after nine. I will be Usain-bolting my ass out of here by that time. Make sure you get here before nine." Samantha ordered and I smiled at her demand.

"Yes ma'am." I saluted her and just when I did that Oliver turned around and smirked at my gesture.

Oh, holy crap-nuggets! He is going to think I am weird. He will never talk to me again. He will throw me out of his house through the highest window and I will be sleeping on the streets, begging for money and then in a week, I will be a stripper!

"Your loverboy is coming." Samantha sang and moved away from me. Oliver strode towards me and I tried to eliminate all the crazy thoughts running all over my mind. He handed me the milkshake and as if it's a habit, he automatically reached for my hand, holding me close. We were quickly out of the bakery with Samantha waving a thumbs-up at me excitedly.

I almost wanted to smack my forehead. I hoped Oliver didn't see that. I twirled to look at him smirking amusedly at Samantha.

Crap, he saw that.

He smiled at me and pulled me closer to him. He appeared pleased. "Good. You talk about me with your friends. That's an improvement."

I blushed and looked down. I could hear his quiet laughter. He moved away and reached for the car door. He opened it, gesturing me to go inside and I did, blushing tremendously. Once inside, I made myself comfortable and tried to calm my nerves down. He let go of my hand and I missed the warmth it gave me.

The car shook as he came in. He reached for my hand again, holding it, as he positioned it on my lap.

Burning.

Soon, we were driving across the road and I turned the radio on, to avoid all the tension.

"Tell me about yourself." He said after a while and I looked at him, pursing my lips.

"What about me?" I asked and he narrowed his eyes at me, before turning towards the road.

"Your life. Your childhood. Your dreams. Your goals." He said and he looked at me expectantly. My heart warmed immediately when he asked me about my dreams. "Your bra size."

And, he was back.

"Douchebag," I muttered under my breath, smiling and he chuckled lightly at my cursing.

"Tell me." He urged me on.

"Can we start simple?" I asked, fidgeting nervously before looking at him. He angled his head, studying me as if he was trying to figure out what I was thinking.

"You don't trust me." He pursed his lips. He seemed hurt for a second before it was gone. "That's fine. I will build it."

Suddenly, I wanted to tell him everything about myself. Every single event, my childhood, my dreams, my plans and my goals. Frowning, I bit my lip and quickly changed the conversation. "I like the colour Red. I have aquaphobia; fear of water and ophidiophobia; fear of snakes-"

"You won't be afraid of my snake for sure." He added in between. If I was drinking water, I would have coughed it out.

"Um..." I dragged, not knowing what to say and he laughed again, loving my mortification. "I love Cupcakes." I added. "You have to ask me questions. I'm running out of things to say."

He thought hard before asking, "Favourite sports?"

"Soccer."

"Your crush?"

"No crush." A smile tugged his lips at my answer.

"Relationship status?"

"Forever single."

"Not for long." He winked and I blushed again, biting my lips to prevent myself from smiling. "Are you currently Happy?"

"Yes." I smiled and he smiled wider.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" He asked, his tone sounding serious all of a sudden and I almost shuddered at the intensity of it.

"I fell in love with Cupcake at first sight. So, yes." I answered and he chuckled again. He detached his hand from mine for a second before reaching towards the gear. He pulled it down, driving swiftly. His hand quickly came back to me, holding my hand tightly as he stroked his thumb over my skin unconsciously. It was driving me a little crazy and I tried to suppress my feelings down.

The way his fingers connected with mine was like two puzzle pieces fitting perfectly. There was no gap. It filled each tiny space, consuming them all. Like finding my way home, recovering whatever was missing.