Lenny was dumbstruck. It felt like a huge boulder had been slung across her face. She stared at Neil, the two maintaining a fierce eye contact. Neil was staring at her, his eyes bold, while she hadn't still processed what he had just said to her. I love you? Love? Did the boy in front of her know exactly what he was uttering from his mouth? No, it was completely unbelievable. She refused to accept it.
Lenny tugged at her arm that was still trapped in his grip and frowned when she couldn't get it to budge.
"I'm in love you Lenny." He repeated, like he could tell that she was in disbelief.
Lenny stared at him blankly while she wriggled her arm around.
"Let me go Niel."
Niel frowned, his thick eyebrows curling downwards.
"Why aren't you saying anything? I just told you how I feel about you."
"You don't know what you're talking about. You're not in love with me. Now let me go." Lenny commanded.
Lenny Felt the grip on her wrist loosen a bit, but it wasn't Enough to wriggle her hand free. She looked up at him and caught a glimpse of a slight anger in his eyes. Niel pulled her away from the door abruptly and slammed it shut. He pushed her to the wall and Lenny could feel her heard skip a thousand beats.
He held her wrist down to the wall as he pressed his body against hers. Lenny felt a chill run down her spine as she locked eyes with him. His eyes were looking down at her. They were dark and possessed a slight hunger. She felt cornered like a prey, who was about to be devoured by a large predator.
"What do you think you're doing-"
Lenny's protests were cut short immediately as Niel crashed his lips on hers with a savage desire. Lenny's eyes slid shut tightly as she squirmed underneath him. His lips skimmed hers, parting them to make way for him. He slid his tongue into her mouth and found hers. intertwining them softly. Lenny pressed her free hand against his chest to push him away, but Niel didn't budge. He was like a tall stone wall, crushing her, giving her no space to breath.
He was exploring the rough plains of her mouth despite her protesting. Lenny's arms grew weak as her struggles were in vain. Niel finally withdrew himself from her, almost reluctantly as they both gasped for air desperately.
There was a long silence between them as they stared at each other for moments that seemed and felt like hours.
"Dont-" Niel heaved a breath and continued. "Dont deny the genuine feelings I have for you because of the doubts you have about love."
Lenny just stared at him blankly, unable to say a word. Niel pursed his lips together and muttered several curses under his breath before he let go of her wrist. He walked to the door and gave her one last look. Lenny could see a hint of regret and sadness in his eyes as he looked at her.
"I'll leave now, since you don't want me here. I'm sorry for- I'm sorry for bothering you."
He walk out of the studio and slammed the door shut. Lenny's shaky legs finally gave out as she slumped down to the ground. Her legs weren't the only thing that were shaking. Her whole body was quaking. Although her body and quivered, a slight sensation was running along her lips. It tingled strangely, and Lenny hated the feeling.
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Lenny sat on the green grass with a few other girls as she watched the rest play a leisurely game of volleyball. It was P.E period and they were all forced to play sports under the scorching hot sun. Lenny wasn't athletic and neither did she like playing sports. To her, it felt like a waste of time and energy.
Lenny sighed through her nose and watched as the ball went up into the air and down again. The pattern repeated and it began boring for Lenny to watch how monotonous it was. She directed her eyes to the other side of the field. The boys were playing a game of football and each of them looked like they are having fun.
Wiping a bead a sweat that had dripped down her face, Lenny looked up to the sky. The sky was inked with a bright blue colour and the clouds floated around it nonchalantly. The weather had gotten considerably hot during the past few days. Summer was here already. Lenny looked back at the boys and her expression turned sober when she spotted a familiar face.
It was Niel, and he was running around the field along with the other sweaty boys. They hadn't seen each other since that day and hadn't talked to each other either. It made her feel relaxed and relieved that she wouldn't have to face him.
He had confessed to her and she wouldn't be able to reciprocate his feelings. Love was an emotion Lenny couldn't phantom. It was a strange concept to her, something she couldn't feel. Maybe that was the reason why she shunned his feelings for her. She looked down tie grass and ran her fingers along the short blades of grass.
Lenny could still remember how it felt when he forcefully put his lips on hers. It was quite shocking at first, but it wasn't unpleasant. It didn't spark any feelings in her and it was something she wouldn't want to do again. All she needed was art. To draw, to paint, to create art.
"It's so hot today, I wish I didn't have to come out today."
"Should we get some ice cream on the way home?"
"I wish I could take a long dip in the pool right now."
Lenny grimaced. The girls blabbering beside her sounded like flies buzzing in her ears. She didn't want to listen to their incessant chatter. Lenny got up from the grass and walked a bit farther for them. She sat back down, her had turning to the side to spectate the volleyball match when she felt a large mass collide with her cheeks.