Kouri stilled. Dammit. What was he following her for?! She turned at the second knock, this one a little louder than the last one. Her breathing staggered again at the thought of who she would see on the other side. At the third knock, she heard a door open down the hall and someone grumbling about the loud noise.
Without thinking, Kouri hurriedly opened the door and pulled him inside. She was afraid of getting into trouble by the head of the dorms more than she was afraid of what was coming next.
Or, so she thought.
"Oh," she gasped, realizing she had let this boy into her room.
She'd let A BOY into her room. She let him go, back up several steps. Kouri was very now VERY aware of what she had done and how exposed she was. She crossed her arms and sat on her bed to keep from fainting and falling over again.
She was afraid he'd come near her, but he stood where she'd left him. But the chuckle that left his lips stirred something foreign in her that could only be described as excitement. She stole a glance his way - and she saw that smile.
She...she knew that smile. But how? She'd never actually SEEN this boy before. She turned her head to fully take him in. His skin was a nice, tan color - far contrasting to her milky white. His jaw tended slightly as he swallowed - his lips were plump. He had a small cleft in his chin and a dimple from the smirk his mouth drew in. His nose was squared off, but had a crook in the bridge like it'd been broken once or twice. When Kouri finally met his eyes, she felt her heart stop.
They were the most gorgeous forest green. Nearly hidden by the edge of his bangs as he tilted his head down. Was he being shy? She wondered. His face seemed perfect, save for a small mole just to the right of his forehead. But even that seemed purposeful.
"I know you," she found herself saying.
It was probably the most she'd really said to someone since moving here. It felt strange to converse with anyone, besides her parents that she called once a month.
His laugh sent another chill through her.
"I know you," he answered, not in mockery but in confirmation. "Kouri Lyle, you've been evading me for a long, long time."
"Evad...ing?"
What?
"Oh yes. I've been looking for you for a very, very long time."
His steps toward her casual, but they seemed deliberate. Kouri's heart pounded harder, but she couldn't keep her gaze from his. He moved closer, suddenly seeming very large in her small room. He crouched down in front of her, leaning in as close as he could to her face. She stopped breathing, she'd realized, the second he started advancing on her.
"Who...?" She breathed.
Everything willed her to move. But her body wouldn't obey. She felt trapped, fixed to the spot she was in.
The boys smile only grew, almost menacing. He leaned up and closer, pressing his lips to hers.
Suddenly, a loud smack sounded in the room.