Chereads / What’s This Life? / Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Nicole

Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Nicole

I took out my phone so I could text my mom and she'd know not to worry. I know that she would if I actually told her the truth; which is why I don't want to do that. I can't have her worrying about me anymore. She's done her fair share of worrying about me in the past.

*TEXT*

Me: Hey mom, I'm staying over at Evan's house. Hope that's ok

Mom: I wish you would've told me earlier but yes it's ok.

Me: Thanks, love you.

Mom: Love you too, sweetie. Be safe.

*END OF TEXT*

"Hey Um, if you wanna stay here you can, I'll take the couch, give you the bed." West looked at me worry in his eyes.

"I think I'll take you up on that but you don't have to sleep on the couch... I will."

"No it's fine, I swear. That is unless you wanna share the bed?" He laughed slightly, I am sure it was a half-joke. I raised a brow, and shook my head. He stood up and looked at me, "I'll be right back."

I wondered why he was living alone; I mean I know he is because he implied there was only one room. If he lives alone, where's his family? Does he even have one? He has to... right? I mean I know there's plenty of people without family but I wouldn't expect a 17-year-old to not have one. Breaking me from my thoughts, he came in.

"You wanna watch a movie or something?" He asked.

"Um yeah, why not. Whatcha got?" I felt super awkward... maybe it was just me. I hoped it didn't show through.

"War of the Worlds?" He held up the case.

"Oh, I love that movie," I responded excitedly.

West started the movie and went to make popcorn while I sat on the couch. I was more focused on him than on the movie. I watched him in the kitchen from where I was sitting in the living room. All I kept thinking was that if he didn't get there in the alley when he did, I don't know what would've happened and that scares me.

God forbid Jackson's reaction when he finds out what happened; he'll never leave my side again. Don't get me wrong... I love my brother so much. There are just times where we need space; well more like I need space. I hate always being monitored by my family as if I'm a helpless infant. I love my parents but I have to keep what happened in the alley from them. I know I'll have to tell Jackson. I don't know how, just that I have to. I also have to keep him from telling mom and dad, which will be a task to itself. I just can't tell them, there's too much that's gone wrong in my life. They shouldn't be dragged down just because I am. It's not fair.

West walked back into the living room and sat down next to me with the bowl of popcorn he'd just made. The movie was good but there was still an awkward vibe in the room and I knew West could tell because he paused the movie and turned to face me.

"So, Miss New-Girl... tell me about yourself." He looked at me and I tried my damnest not to get lost in his eyes.

"First off, you know my name. Second, what do you want to know?" I joked and he laughed at me slightly.

"Well, for starters, where did you move from and why Cali? I mean it's hot, the people here are stuck up, not to mention the drought."

"That's EXACTLY what I said!"

He laughed at me again. His laugh was so cute, it was intoxicating. He was intoxicating, his eyes, lips, he even smelled amazing.

"Anyway... my parents moved us here from my hometown in New Jersey. Though, to answer your other question, here in Cali because of their job. We've always moved around due to their job. This is our last move, they say. I doubt it." I dryly spoke.

"Damn, don't sound too happy about that. Then again I wouldn't be." I looked at him.... "Well, Mr. Se... West. What about you? Are you from here?" I asked realizing I almost him Mr. Sexy; I only do that in my head.

He chuckled, "Not really, I lived in Long Island, New York until I was six, then moved here when because... uhm it doesn't matter."

"Are you gonna continue or....?" I looked at him... doing my best to look attractive even though I am sure I was a bruised mess.

"Umm, it's complicated so.... not really." He heavily sighed, looking away.

"Oh trust me, I get it. Complicated is my forte, sadly."

He yawned, "I'm pretty tired, I'll be right back?" West stood to walk away.

"Yeah, I'll be right here." I lightly chuckled, as did he. After about two minutes of sitting on the couch, he came back out with clothes in hand.

"Here's a T-shirt and some sweatpants, I made sure the waistband was adjustable. I mean, you don't have to wear them, just figure it'd be more comfortable than your jeans. Or you could just not wear anything." He smiled.

"Thank you, I think I'll go with the sweats." I chuckled and felt the heat on my face; I knew I was blusing.

"You're welcome."

I went to the bathroom and changed into the clothes. I came out and he was looking me up and down with a smirk while biting his lip. He was also shirtless. I stared at his abs, and studied his body.

"Like what you see?" He asked looking at me.

His stare didn't bother me. It made my insides tingle. He walked closer and placed his hands on my hips. My breath hitched surprisingly.

"You look good I'm my clothes." He huskily whispered in my ear. I shivered as his lips grazed my ear. He then slowly tore his eyes from my body to my eyes, then lips.

"Can I kiss you?" He whispered seductively; his lips slightly brushing against mine

"What happened to being tired?" my voice came out as a whisper.

"Are you gonna let me kiss you now?" He asked. Just as I was about to nod he said, "Fuck it."

His lips met mine as he wrapped an arm around my waist and held the back of my neck with the other. He tasted like peppermint and nicotine. An odd combination but good none the less. He skimmed my bottom lip with his tongue asking for entrance. I denied but he squeezed my sides causing me to yelp and his tongue slid into my mouth. He's sly. I know I just met him and I know nothing about him but I can't bring myself to stop him. The kiss deepened, I brought my hands up to his hair and fiddled with it as he backed me up against his bedroom door. I then abruptly stopped kissing him and turn my head to the side.

"Um.. sorry. I don't think this is the best idea right now." I spoke apologetically, my thoughts going back to the ally just a few hours earlier.

"No, no... It's ok. I get it. Plus I came on to you, no worries." He held me close, I could feel every inch of his body heaving against me with every breath. "But I won't lie by denying the fact that I enjoyed it." He smirked.

I have no idea who he even is, but after tonight I wanna learn more about him.

"Umm, you should go to bed." He spoke.

"Yeah, sorry." I blushed.

"You're good, like I said, it's my fault. It shouldn't have happened this fast." He assured, yet again.

'This fast' what does that mean???' I didn't think it was fast... I did want him. I just needed to recover from today first.

"Goodnight West," I whispered.

"Goodnight, Nicole." He whispered back. I kissed his lips gently, one last time before he left the room.

I laid my head down on the soft pillow. His scent still lingering it was comforting. I fell instantly fell into a deep sleep; completely forgetting about the bad events of tonight and focusing of the one good event that took place not two minutes ago.