Amaya's POV

I should've had a million thoughts going through my mind, but my mind cleared. The only thing on my mind was this kiss, or more like this feeling. What was it? Bliss, panic, enlightenment? I decided I didn't care. All my fear was diminished in a puff of smoke. The kiss had a passion in it I had never experienced. He began to pull away, but I wasn't ready. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck and forced him not to move. A moment later I loosened my grip, slightly embarrassed but not remorseful. He leaned back slowly meeting my gaze. We were both breathing heavy. We looked at each for a moment before I saw the bloody knife in his hand. Panic rose inside of me. He followed my gaze.

"That was probably the most difficult incision I've ever done, but the glass is out of your foot." I watched as he sat the knife down on the counter. My head was spinning. He took my foot in his hand and swaddled it in a towel, wrapping it as tightly as possible.

Before I could speak, he said, "Sometimes," he paused a minute, considering, "it helps to catch someone off guard before you do a procedure. I needed your attention elsewhere."

I nodded, "So you kissed me?" I could feel myself finally coming back down. Now that I was grounded, I wasn't sure whether or not I should be offended. He only kissed me to distract me, but he still kissed me, which means part of him must've wanted to. I wondered if he had used this move before, it was so unique that I doubted that he did. It was definitely the craziest first kiss I've ever had. It was also the soonest I've ever kissed someone. We'd know each other for no more than two hours.

"I hardly think you can call this little cut a procedure." I felt the corners of my mouth curving upwards. "How do you usually catch someone off guard before you knife them?"

He chuckled. "I tell them a story, or have them look somewhere else. Don't worry, I don't usually distract them like this."

He kept applying pressure to my foot. I stared at his hands. I figured they'd be rougher than they looked, they were smooth. I laughed to myself, they're huge! He looked at me quizzically. I ignored him and yanked my foot from the wrap. I swatted his hand when he tried to grab it back, but it didn't stop him from continuing to reach for it.

When everything sunk in I looked at him, shocked, "You cut my foot while kissing me?" I should be more afraid of his "incision" skills I told myself and made a mental note. I would never fall asleep around him.

"Yes." He said, grabbing my foot and re-wrapping it.

"Who are you?" I said while tossing a grape into my mouth.

He laughed. "Blade. You're new neighbor."

I examined him closely for the first time. He had spikey chestnut brown hair, a deep tan, and defined, sharp facial features. The thing that stuck out the most to me though were his eyes. They were yellow. I just stared at them a minute, admiring. I could see why Niki was swooning over this guy, he was so cute. I brought my eyes down and popped another grape in my mouth.

"Oh really? Where are you staying?" I said, nonchalantly.

"Here. Right across the hall." He answered.

I nearly choked on my grape. "Here." I echoed.

He watched me, "Is that a problem?"

Yes! I wanted to scream. I never liked it when someone I was into was too close to me. Then, it was always awkward when things ended. It felt too much like moving in with someone. I would never say that though, at this point what could be done about it?

"No, no problem at all Blade." I reached out a hand. "I'm Amaya."

He grabbed my hand and shook it gently. "It's nice to meet you Amaya."

"Likewise. So, I'm guessing Blade isn't your real name." I tightened my robe a little. I blushed red when I remembered I only had a thin layer of silk underneath. He watched my hands.

"No, it's just a little nickname I picked up." He said, looking away. I eyed him skeptically.

"Can we watch a movie?" Nikayla appeared in the bathroom doorway. I had forgotten she was in the bath. Had all this really happened that quickly? I looked over at Blade, he seemed taken off guard too.

"I'd love that." I meant it too. I enjoyed spending time with her. There was huge boat party I was going to go to, but this was much more important to me. If I had time after the movie to stop by, I would, but it didn't really matter to me anymore. I'd been to enough parties for a lifetime. She smiled brightly and walked over to the TV, turning it on. Then she looked over at our new neighbor.

"Please tell me you'll stay." She looked at him with puppy dog eyes. I had forgotten about her little crush on him, the way they had been flirting earlier. This now seemed like a terrible idea. I wondered if he had kissed her when they were alone. I pushed against him and hopped off the counter, pain seared up in my foot. I walked the best I could to the red, worn-out sofa and sat.

"Of course." Why was his voice so soothing? He sat down beside me. Nikayla sat on the other side of me, scrolling through channels. I looked over at him and he winked. Fine, I told myself, two can play at this game.

"You sure your girlfriend won't mind you being here?" I said calmly. He squinted at me, confused. Nikayla was too focused on scrolling to pick up on the tension.

"I am very available." He smirked, looking at me.

"How isn't such an attractive man as yourself taken?" As I said this, I realized I was genuinely curious.

"Attractive, huh? You find me attractive?" His eyebrows curved and his lips turned upwards. He was avoiding the question.

"Of course she does, look at you." Nikayla butted in.

Blade looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "You two are too sweet."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't get a big head. You didn't answer the question, why are you single?"

Niki sat the remote down and turned to me. "Amaya, you can't just ask someone that!"

"No, it's okay." Blade shrugged, then turned his attention to me. "I was wondering the same thing about you."

I scuffed. "I asked you first!"

"I moved."

I felt bad, he and his girlfriend must've just broken up. "I'm sorry, that's rough."

"I'll be okay. What about you, why are you single?" He asked softly.

I didn't know how to answer him, but I didn't need to, Niki spoke for me. "She's afraid of commitment. The girl refuses to settle down no matter how many times we beg her."

I cross my arms. "I'm not a relationship kind of girl."

Blade squinted at me. "You've tried it?"

"Not really, but it doesn't matter. I can already tell it's not for me. I like my freedom."

"Oh my gosh, did you guys clean?" Niki interrupted.

"She did." Blade pointed at me.

Niki smiled at me. "Thank you, I totally forgot!"

"It was nothing, I didn't want you to have to deal with all that."

"So, what movie are we watching?" Blade asked Niki.

She scooted to back into the couch. " I was thinking Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

"Sure." Blade and I said at the same. We smiled at each other.

Niki grinned. "I'm so glad to see you guys getting along, I was really hoping we could all be friends."

I sigh, "Niki that's one of those things you think but you don't say out loud."

"What, you don't think we could all be friends." Blade jumped in.

"No, I don't." I said matter of factly.

He nodded and looked at the TV. "Okay, we're not friends."

"Okay." I pretzeled my legs onto the sofa. "I'll get the lights."

I walked over and flipped the switch off before sitting back down.

Niki picked the remote back up and hit play.

Blade shifted closer to me and whispered, "I think you're really attractive Amaya."

I felt myself laugh at this. "Even when I'm mean to you?"

"Yeah, you're voice gets all cute when you're flustered." He spoke quietly into my ear, making me turn my head slightly towards him.

"My voice doesn't change when I'm mad." I retaliated.

I could see his white teeth shinning in the dark. "Yes you do, it gets higher-pitched and a little raspy."

"I have never heard that before." I look forward.

"Oooh, here we go." Niki says excitedly.

We all quieted as the movie started.

Throughout the movie Blade kept brushing his hand against mine and grinning at me. I couldn't pay attention to the movie at all. I have no idea what his game is, but I didn't want him to stop.