As soon as Marly fell, we were on her. People gathered around some still danced but others just murmered and pointed.
"Out of the way people, this ain't a show!" I yell wrapping my arm around Marly's waist and putting her arm around my neck. Ned does the same on the other side of her and in seconds we're out of the club and into the streets of Cartagena. The sun has just started to set and is now a backdrop the to palm trees that sway in the wind.
I give Ned a sidelong glance and then turn my head fully when I see he's on his phone. "This is not the time to be calling one of your girlfriends, Ned. Your sister has just passed out and all you can do is be a flirt!!" I snap.
He looks at me and says into the phone "excuse me for just one second,"
When he looks at me I can see the hurt in his eyes, but that's only for a second before his eye turn to steel. He pulls Marly's limp body from my arms and carries her to a nearby bench, gently setting her down. Without her warmth I start to feel cold. Ned spins on his heel and we're only 4 inches apart in a matter of seconds.
I look up at him and see that his eyes resemble a stormy grey cloud. I can barley hear him when he says, "First off, I was calling a cab to pick us up and take us back to the condo. Secondly, if I didn't care about my sister I wouldn't be here," He pauses and I can see his eyes have chaged back to green. His finger finds my chin and lifts it up, "Third, I dont have a girlfriend or any at that because there's only space in my heart for you," his finger leaves my chin and I feel the chills all over again.
No this can't be right.
I don't like that flirtatious boy who oh so seemingly has a crush on me.
Do I?
Something snaps inside of me and wakes me up from this flustered nightmare. I walk over to Ned and turn him around, his eyes go a little wide in suprise. I lean in closer and move stand on my tiptoes to meet him on his level. Lifting up my hand I caress face and he leans into the touch. I pull away and flick him not so gently on the nose.
He grabs his nose and takes two steps back, "Owww, what was that for??"
I narrow my eyes and say, "If you ever and I mean ever put your hands on me I'll make life hell for you. I don't care if I'm drowning or, or, you know what just don't touch me." I put my hands on my hips and walk into the road. I put my hand out in front of me and a yellow taxi slows to a stop and honks his horn.
I look over at Ned and see that he's just staring at me in shock, I smirk and give him a wink, "See? Look how easy that was?" I blow my nails and rub them on my chest.
He just stands there with his mouth wide open, "Well what are you waiting for, I know I'm good but I can't keep this up all day." I make motion for him to get in the car with my hands.
As soon as Ned's all the way in the car with Marly, I move to get in the taxi but before I open the door I see something move out of the corner of my eye. I look around and spot Daniel hiding behind a trash can outside of the club. When he sees that I see him he winks at me. I get in the car and slam the door. Rolling down the window I stick my arm out and practically flip off air.
The taxi lurches forward and I pull my arm out the window.
"Hey Mr. Taxi Driver, if you get us to our condo in 5 minutes I'll give you an extra 20 US dollars." I hear his agreement in the screeching of the tires on the pavement.
"Hey Zara," I hear Ned call
"Yeah," I reply facing him. My eyes go wide as I see that all of the color has drained out of Ned's face. "What is is Ned, tell me," I demand.
He looks down at Marly then looks back up at me. When he answers it's in a shaky voice, "Zara, Marly's not breathing."