Close To The Dangerous Bad Boy novel Chapter 23

Shit! I forgot to give it back. I was cuddling it in my arms, like I did Ash, touching that rough, weary fabric with my fingertips. I buried my head in that worn-out green pullover and breathed in the smell of washing powder and cigarettes.

"Lucas…" I murmured into the green sweater.

I quickly snapped out of it. What is wrong with me? I do not like him! And even if I would…I would stop. Because he…doesn't like me. Not that way.

I threw his pullover on the desk and hid myself under the fluffy covers that hugged me every night. Even if I closed my eyes…there he was. His face, those dark, sad eyes. So beautiful.

Why are you the first thought when I wake up and the last when I go to sleep?

My dark angel.

* * *

I got Jimmy's text the following day at school.

Jimmy: Tomorrow at Five?

I was looking at the phone screen for a while, picking my brain for a reply. Was I really going through with this?

Me: Sure. Where are we going?

I held my breath the entire time I was typing that text. I thought my lungs were going to explode. The phone buzzed. He was fast.

Jimmy: At the Park?

We're going to the park. And it's freezing outside. Oh well, maybe tomorrow will be better.

Me: Sounds good. See ya at Five!

Going out with Lucas's best friend. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. Jimmy was cool. Nice. Happy.

Where were they today anyway? I haven't seen them the entire day.

I checked the school announcement board.

All the first and second year students have a sports day this Friday. You can choose from the following options:

Ice skating

Skiing / Snow boarding

Hiking

"So," I started "you had a sports day."

"Yeah," Jimmy replied "we went snowboarding."

I knew it!

"It was the first time for me!" He laughed. "Lucas and Kayla tried to teach me a bit, but I was mostly on my ass than on my feet."

We were walking down some old path, which was accompanied by tall trees. Physical activity brought a slight redness to my cheeks, hot crashing with cold.

"Kayla was the best of us, even Lucas couldn't follow her for long." His grin softened a little bit into just the hint of a smile.

"Maybe he was still in bad shape because of the fight." I commented.

Jimmy looked at me. "Yeah, you're probably right." He suddenly stopped. "Anyway, here we are!" He pointed towards the small house next to a gorgeous pond. The pond was reflecting the last sunset kisses, making it seem like the crystal clear water was burning in flames. There were so many water lilies, mostly just the green leafs without the blossom, but it looked beautiful anyway. A few frogs were squatting by the rocks, trying to catch the remaining beams of light in this cold, almost winter evening.

"Don't tell me you've never been here before?" He asked.

"No, I didn't even know we had a pond in the middle of the park."

He laughed. "It's called the Boathouse, it's like half pub, half candy store. They sell sandwiches, ice-cream, cakes, beer, coffee, wine…a little bit of everything." Jimmy was so cheerful. So different than Lucas. He was smiling all the time, shining like the sun. And if Jimmy was the sun, Lucas was the moon. The complete opposite.