Chapter 4

I leaned onto him. Feeling the need to share my burden if it were for once. He smelled like rain when it hit earth. The atmosphere gloomy but the feeling beautiful. He tightened his hold on me. My head on his chest, I could feel his heartbeat. Slow and comforting. Suddenly I was pulled out of my daze when a customer entered. I felt pathetic. He probably hugged me because I looked pitiful. He must have pitied me. I pulled back abruptly. I saw the confused look on his face but it was only for a second. He nodded like he understood. How was that even possible? He should have been pissed or thought I was crazy. Did I have that opinion because I didn't believe in good people? I realized that he was still standing in front of me.

"Sorry," I muttered. It was actually a genuine apology.

I felt bad for backing off. He must have thought that I did it because I thought of him wanting more than a hug. That was really not it because that hug was probably the best moment I had experienced this whole year. I was deeply attracted to this guy and I had just exchanged a few sentences with him. It hurt to tear myself from him. I'm pathetic and weird, I realized.

" No, no, it's fine, really," he shrugged as he replied." My name is Ray," he added.

Ray. Karma. I thought how different he was from that monster on TV. Again I didn't know this Ray either. Ray cleared his throat.

" Oh sorry, my name is Amber," I said.

" Amber," he repeated, saying my name like he enjoyed the taste of it on his tongue.

Ray looked up and smiled. That's when I couldn't feel my feet anymore. His smile...

That's when I guessed that Ray was a guy who'd never faced life before. At least the raw life. No one who had faced troubles could have such a pure, carefree smile. What would Ray think of me if he knew I was at this supermarket to steal? He would never look at me the way he was looking at me right now. My stomach growled. A gasp left my mouth. Ray bit back his laughter, then he exploded.

" Hey," I protested. I bet all the embarrassment showed on my ears.

" Well someone's hungry," Ray said as he smirked. He opened his mouth as he considered something.

"Wanna have lunch together?" he asked. Wait... was he asking me out?

He wasn't asking me out. I must be looking really pitiful. I was about to say no when my stomach grumbled again.