Excursion day 7

Blaire's POV

Christian looked very happy that morning when I met him at the breakfast table in the hall. It's our last day there. We'll be back to Madison's tomorrow. Again back to studies. It was just the beginning of the session but each test contributed to the annual grade, so it counted. That day our schedule said we were going to a hall to see some kind of theatre art show, probably a literary drama.

There was another and last gathering that evening by the poolside.

This time I won't make any mistakes.

He was right. I should have been more careful. I shouldn't be friends with someone just at an instant meet. But was it not what I did in his case too? Well, it was different I guess. I felt someone squeeze my hand and my focus went back to what was going on the stage. Some people were performing some play, maximum part of which I missed out and now I am left out without any clue. I looked over to see Christian still gripping my hand firmly.

“What are you thinking about sunshine?” he whispered.

“Nothing,” I whispered back.

Why is it like he seems to notice me a lot?

He slowly loosened the grip and then intertwined our fingers.

“This feels perfect,”  he murmured.

This time I blushed, I blushed so hard that I looked at the carpeted floor of the hall all the time. Not that the play was interesting or something. I usually love books a lot, fictions, plays and all kinds of literary and artistic works but that show somewhat lacked the magnetic field range to attract my attention.

It was by the afternoon that we were all tucked up in our rooms. I was walking through the corridor after I finished the call with my dad while paying my regular visit to my office of ‘overthinking’. I reached up to my room when I noticed someone in black tees in the common balcony, back facing me. Instantly I thought it was James but then I had a doubt about myself. Well, I always have these doubts about myself. I was going to open the door and get in when I heard him taking my name. Curiosity kicked in.

Why did he take my name on the phone and who is he? With whom is he talking to?

I stepped forward and then suddenly Chris appeared out of nowhere. 

“ugh...bad timing,” I muttered and tried to focus behind him.

“What?” he asked, trying to follow my gaze.

I pointed out in the air and he wasn't there. 

“What, Blaire?” he asked, his eyebrows knitted together.

“No-no-nothing,” I shook my head.

Was he a ninja or something of that kind? Like, how can he disappear so fast?

“Let's get in. I have urgent talks,’ he grinned.

“Yeah, okay.”

“So Sunshine, what I was going to tell you...”

“I know, be careful. People aren't safe. Stay away from senior year. Don't make friends instantly and I promise Christian, no mistakes this time,” I said in a breath, cutting him off.

“Blaire, I trust you. You are smart and intelligent. I know you won't repeat what you did last time and moreover, I was not going to tell that, it was just that...,”

“Oh! I see,” I gave a confused look.

“Umm...leave it. I'll better save it for later,” he stood up, his hands jammed in his shorts pocket and walked towards the door.

“See you in the evening, sharp at six.”

Those were his last words before he left the room, signing it with his signature smirk.

It was a pool gathering and keeping in mind the temperature outside, I wore a simple white skater dress with boat neck and geometrical prints. Nude makeover with hairs set loose felt perfect. Me, Christian, James, Jasmine, Sophia and Duncan sat together at a pool table. Sophia made it look so perfect. I don't know how she managed to put up a fake smile which anyone would consider as a real one. I think she should notice Duncan for at least once. Like, look at the way he stares at her, admires her. I could clearly see it in his eyes. James and Jasmine seemed happy together and then there's Chris who was constantly playing Shadow fight on his phone. He looked stunning tonight.

He looks so damn perfect even in casuals.

Admit it! He's hot...and you got a thing for...

I hushed my brain. I'd never get it that how he managed to pull such charming looks without any effort.

I opened the file which they gave us and guess what it had, assignments. We had to make a presentation about our excursion after we got back. I was quite excited as I loved doing assignments and projects but there were boo's' from the maximum of the students. Then there were performances by various students. Beat-boxing, pop music and the list went on. It was around eight, the gathering was almost over when James got a call and went aside to speak. I don't know why but I was having a strong gut feeling about James. I felt like it was him in the afternoon who was there in the balcony. But I couldn't go ahead and share my doubts with Chris, just based on my feelings and instincts. After all, they were best friends. I couldn't say anything without proof.

“Excuse me!” I grabbed the file from the table and walked towards the direction James went.

I followed him but in between the crowds, I eventually lost his track. I noticed that everyone was going back to their rooms, so I joined them and moved inside. I changed into shorts and a tank top and processed all that was happening from day one.

Was everything coincidental?

That devastating night.

Me meeting Christian.

Becoming close friends.

Meeting his brother.

Meeting D.K.

James behaving oddly.

And a lot more little incidents.

Everything can't be coincidental.

I breathed a deep sigh. Jasmine was still here. She would leave anytime soon. I thought to call up mom and it was then I realised that I didn't have my phone. I don't actually remember having it when I came to my room. I decided to go back to the poolside.

The corridor was usually silent. Outside, the temperature seemed to have dropped and it got a bit colder too. I could hear my own footsteps when I walked through the pool pavement.

“Where did I leave my phone, damnit?” I muttered in frustration. With hands-on my waist, I stared down at the blue water.

Suddenly I felt a pair of hands gripping my waist and the next thing I knew I was in the water. Drenched and cold. It took a second for me to regain my breath and focus.

“Christian,” I yelled at the culprit.

“You finding this baby doll?” He asked, holding my phone. 

I don't know what was going through his mind but he stood there watching me, shooting a cocky grin. We stood in our positions for a moment, eyes fixated until he kept my phone on the pool recliner beside and jumped into the pool, splashing water all over me. I started to swim towards the pool ladder.

“Wait there, baby doll,” he said as he held my hand.

He pulled me towards him and wrapped his arms around my waist. Our bodies clung to each other and the fact  that he wasn't wearing any top-wear made it more transparent. We were damn close and it's awkward.

“Christian,” I said in a low voice.

It felt damn awkward and a little embarrassing too. Us, together in the pool, with no one around.

“Yes, baby doll?” he whispered with a flirty voice.

“Stop flirting, Christian,” I chided.

“I'm not,”

“So what exactly are you doing?”

“I'm just being extra friendly to someone who's extra attractive,” he said with a cocky smile.

My eyes met his arm then glided down to his lips, his lips turned upward into a smirk.

Did he catch me staring at his lips?

Oh, wait! Did I stare?

Yeah, maybe for a second or so. Oh god! This is so embarrassing.

“You know you are beautiful, don't you baby doll?”

“Not just beautiful, you are calm, kind, serene, warm, sensuous, crazy, strong-hearted, determined, strong-willed and passionate and I love it all. I have had this thing on my mind for a while now but couldn't confess. Maybe I feared rejection from you, and a lot more, you know it all. But it's like I'm addicted to you. Your smell, it has become a drug for me and trust me I'm ready to be an addict if it's my drug. When I first kissed you that night, it was something very different, something which I haven't felt in all these years. Your touch has its own magic. Your voice is melody. My days don't even start without it now. I don't know what you have done to me in these three months but whatever you did, it was awesome. It felt like perfect bliss. You feel like family sunshine, and the best thing happened to me in years.”

I stood there stupefied and stunned, staring at him and his words. My face was probably purple by now. I could never imagine Christian saying all those. His hand held my fingers and with a swift move made me spin around. His hands laid on my stomach as my back is pressed against his hard chest. His lips slightly grazed my shoulder and travelled close to my ears.

“I love you, Blaire,” his voice was warm and affectionate. He always has this magic in his voice to make my heart jump out of its place.

Again he spun me around and looked directly in my eyes.

“I love you,” he repeated, this time a little louder.

I just stared at him. I probably ran out of words. No, actually what am I supposed to say? Was he really asking me out? Like we are official couples? Dating and all? I needed time to process all this. Why would CHRISTIAN WOODS love me? I couldn't look at him anymore or else he would mistake me as an apple or a tomato rather.

I stared down at the water.

Why am I being so nervous?

Where's that Blaire, confident and smart?

Why am I acting like those love-struck girls, weird and shy?

I mean, yeah I like him too and yeah, of course, I want him, so why am I hesitating now?

Suddenly Sophia's words rang in my ears, “...you are dreaming of prince charming while toying around with prince charming,” and yeah she was right. Chris was so close to me  that I couldn't even imagine a day without him.

“Sorry,” I looked up at him as his little voice spoke.

“Sorry, I couldn't frame out the perfect proposals and all. I don't have any rings, roses or chocolates for you. I tried my best to make it feel romantic and cheesy but all I could was come up with this idea. This was all I could do, bringing you to the pool alone. I didn't have any perfect ideas for these. Inexperienced lad, you know. But give me a chance and I'll be the perfect boyfriend every girl would desire. But, it's okay if you don't, all I can do for you now is to carry you back to the room,” he had a tight smile plastered onto his face.

This time I smiled and actually stifled a peal of laughter under my breath, he looked left out without any clue. I placed a hand on his cheek, my other hand travelled to the back of his neck and combed my fingers through his hairs.

Tiptoed, I pressed my lips against his and it felt perfect; slow and passionate. He lifted me up a little making it easier for me. His lips almost melted on mine as the chemistry built-in. All he did was kiss me back with love and passion.