"it's not what you think" Daniel said shyly as he covered his crotch area with his hands.
"Are you sure? I'm very sure my eyes aren't deceiving me" Tara smirked as she sat up.
"Can we just ignore this" Daniel said,playing it cool and casual.
"Playing it cool,are we?" Tara smirked. She was somehow hurt that Daniel wanted her to ignore what happened ,but she already knew this would happen."Fine then,back to the movie" Tara said lazily as she sat closer to Daniel.
"What are you doing?" Daniel gulped.
"Nothing ,just watching the movie" Tara replied.
For a few minutes, everything went back to normal ,but that was until Tara did something shocking.
As another passionate kiss scene came up,Tara placed her hand on Daniel's lap.
"Why?" Daniel asked.
"You know,it's so nice that you're watching this with me" She smiled slightly as she rubbed his lap sensually.
"It's okay" Daniel said, already feeling uncomfortable.
"Oh,it's far from okay" Tara whispered as she turned to the TV.
"Ahem" Daniel cleared his throat."I'm going to the bathroom"
"Why?" Tara smiled.
"To pee" Daniel said as he rose and walked to the bathroom awkwardly with one hand covering his crotch.
Tara had a long laugh after he left."He's so cute" She thought.
"I can't do this" Daniel thought as he entered the bathroom." Why do the scenes have to be so steamy?" He gulped as he struggled to control himself.
He grabbed his phone and texted Tara."Uhm,I have a mild headache,so I'm going to lay down for a bit. No need to check on me"
"This should keep her busy" He sighed,heading to his room.
Though his text to Tara was a complete lie, immediately he laid down,he succumbed to sleep.
Tara was so engrossed in the movie that she didn't see Daniel's text or notice that he didn't come back.
Subconsciously,she moved her arm back to touch Daniel but felt only the soft sofa.
"Daniel?" She called out, heading to the bathroom. He wasn't there ,so she went to the room.
"This!" Tara frowned as her gaze landed on Daniel's sleeping figure. Originally angry at him for sleeping,the anger subsided as she read the text he sent her.
"Maybe it's the fever again" Tara murmured, covering him with a blanket."I should probably stay here in case he wakes" She muttered, sitting on his bed.
The days after the test saw Cassandra and Julian get even closer. Though he'd slept with her many times,Julian realized he knew nothing about Cassandra. She was actually on equal foot with him in terms of intellectual ability.
"You need to visit Spain" She said on a video call.
"Why?"
"You have no idea how wonderful that place is" Cassandra replied.
"Have you visited there?"
"Nope,but I plan to during spring break" She replied.
"Cassie!" Her mum called.
"I'll be right there,mum" Cassandra replied."Can I call you back?"
"Sure, didn't know your parents were back?"
"Yeah,they arrived last week"
"Aren't you mad?" Julian asked.
"Why?"
"Well,'cos they left you alone during the holidays"
"Nah,it's okay. I got to experience something more" She smiled slightly at Julian before ending the call.
"Don't know about that" Julian muttered. Today was his off day ,and he was fully determined to use every second of it. He didn't have to tutor his student today.
"Julian!" His father bellowed.
"Oh goodness" Julian muttered."Talk about my day off"
Daniel woke to a familiar face next to him—Tara.
He stared at her for a minute before his mind clicked.
"Oh my God! Tara!" he shouted,quickly sitting up.
"Why are you shouting?" Tara groaned.
"Tara,I'm sorry if I did anything to you. Honestly,I never thought I was capable of doing that"
"Doing what?"
"That" He repeated.
"Ugh" Tara groaned."we're both wearing clothes,so "that" couldn't have happened"
"Oh,that makes sense" Daniel gasped as he laid back down.
"Aren't you sick?" Tara asked worriedly.
"Uhm,the message I sent was a lie" Daniel said,hoping Tara wouldn't be too mad.
However,she was irate.She got up angrily and said."Why would you tell a lie? For what reason?"
"Why are you mad? I lied,but I didn't expect you to get angry" Daniel rose confusedly.
"What did you expect? You lied to me"
"To get out of that sex show"
"They were just kissing,Daniel ,and I bet you watch more than that" Tara said,pointing to the computer on his desk.
He wanted to retort but remembered what Jason said: "Be a man". He didn't like her reaction to the little lie he told,but a lie was a lie;hence,he had to apologize.
"You're right, I'm sorry" He said."I shouldn't have lied to you"
"You mean it?" Tara smiled. For a second,she feared the situation would morph into something worse,like the way her ex started telling little lies.
"Of course" Daniel replied as he outstretched his arms."we good?"
"Yeah" Tara said, running into his arms.
He didn't know he was holding his breath until Tara hugged him.For a second,he thought he and Tara would fight again.
They came apart but not completely. Tara's hand cupped Daniel's cheeks and Daniel instinctively moved his arm to her waist.
"You know what? I think I've had a change of feelings" Tara whispered,staring into Daniel's eyes. Everything fell quiet as their hearts beat louder and louder.
"What do you mean?" Daniel asked anxiously. The stillness around them added to his nervousness as he waited for Tara's reply.
"I don't think I like you anymore" She said softly,staring him deep in the eyes.
"What do you mean?" Daniel asked for clarification. She couldn't just decide not to like him,right?
"I don't like you, Daniel" She said louder this time.
"Why?"
Tara didn't answer.Instead,she turned and said the three words Daniel always wanted to hear from her mouth
"I love you" She said,facing him.
"Are you serious" Daniel said with a wide grin.
"Yes,with my heart" Tara smiled back as they embraced again.
As they came apart,Daniel didn't know what came over him as he locked lips with Tara.
Their lips locked for a few seconds before Tara pulled back.
"I'm sorry" Daniel started but was silenced by Tara as she kissed him passionately.