Staring at the rain hitting my bedroom window, I watch the large water droplets smear the glass, blurring my view of the woods. My throat is clogged by loss. This is what it's going to be like now; the view of the woods a daily reminder of where I can no longer go and that my time with Zach is officially over.

My body hurts but my heart hurts more.

The window is slightly ajar and the occasional droplet of rain splashes against the wooden floor of my bedroom. I've been laying in this position for a while, unable to get back to sleep. I'd woken constricted and sweating but it wasn't due to heat rather a hazy dream in which the images were absent but the sensation clung to my skin and my chest, heavy and smothering even after I woke.

My mind is cluttered from analysing the events of last night, both before I staggered out from the woods and after. Last night, my parents helped me remove my wet clothes, wrapped me in a blanket, bandaged my ankle then took me to bed. They each gave me a gentle goodnight kiss on the forehead but throughout they didn't utter a word. Not one question was asked. Not a single comment made. They displayed no signs of anger or annoyance, no signs of anything. At the time, I'd been relieved for the lack of questions, I didn't want to lie more than I had to. Now, I'm left wondering what do they know or think they know?

I pull away the blanket and peer down at my almost bare body. Bruised and scratched from the fall, the swelling under my bandaged ankle is visible but I'm not concerned with my injuries. I'm searching for any evidence indicating I've been touched.

I can't see a physical difference. However, I can feel a difference.

A loud squeak from my window startles me. My mouth opens to scream at the figure opening my window and crawling in. I stifle the sound when I recognise the anti-gravity hair, the constricting clothes, the boy who does not belong here.

'Zach! What are you doing?' I hiss, jumping off my bed. I cry out as a sharp jolt sears through my ankle. Cursing under my breath, I hop forward on one leg, my hands poised to push him backwards. 'You have to go. If anyone catches you...'

My hands press against his chest but he doesn't budge. Instead, he grabs my hands and tugs them out to the side so my arms open wide. Tilting me backwards, he inspects me and his face explodes into a smile. 'I like the look. You should definitely wear this more often.'

Confused, I glance down to see I'm wearing only knickers and a strap top. I'm practically naked.

Shit!

'Eyes up,' I snap.

'How high?' Zach raises an eyebrow in amusement.

'Above the neck.'

'Suits me. The view's just as good.' He leans closer as he holds my hands on either side of my body, our bodies now only separated by a slither of air. My breath catches in my throat, his lips are so close to mine all it would take is a slight movement and they would be connected.

I don't move.

'Kit, are you ok?' Daa calls through the door.

'Don't come in,' I shout back urgently.

'What's going on?'

'Don't come in, I'm naked.'

'I heard a noise and you cried out,' Daa says through the door.

'I just knocked my ankle accidentally.'

'Are you sure you're ok?'

'I'm fine. I'll call you if I need help,' I call back.

The sound of Daa's feet softly padding against the wooden floorboards fades as he returns to his room. Me and Zach both remain fixed in our strange position, listening to ensure he's gone.

'Naked? I like the sound of that,' Zach murmurs and his breath tickles my face.

My eyes drift to his lips which are still so close to mine. Do they taste as good as he smells?

What am I thinking? I hold my breath to prevent inhaling Zach's intoxicating smell which is infiltrating my brain and preventing me from thinking rationale and intelligent thoughts.

'You have to go,' I plead, except there's no assertiveness to my voice.

Zach ignores my pathetic attempt at trying to get rid of him. Instead, he scoops me up in his arms, his wet clothes sending a shiver through me as he carries me to the bed and gently places me down. He slowly eases my ankle onto a pillow to elevate it. Turning to face me, he says, 'By the way, you look really good with your hair not tied back.'

I gape at the complete casualness of his comment. He's either mad or an idiot. What am I saying? He's both.

Resting my palms against my head, I groan quietly. How have I gone from not touching him to this situation in the space of a day?

Zach takes off his jacket and sits on the edge of the bed, showing no signs of leaving while I'm half-naked. I inhale sharply. I'm still half-naked! I swiftly grab the blanket on the edge of my bed and pull it over me to cover myself.

'How's the ankle?'

'Fine. We're hoping it's only a sprain.' I close my eyes. This is bad. Zach should not be in this settlement let alone in my room, sitting on my bed.

I don't want him to go.

'What do you mean hoping? What did the doctor say?' Zach asks confused.

'I didn't see a doctor,' I open my eyes.

'But if it's broken...' Zach's brow furrows.

'I'll be fine.'

Zach stands and walks towards the window. My heart sinks at his sudden departure, but instead of leaving he grabs his bag off the floor and walks back to me.

'Move up,' He says casually, sitting down next to me. I jerk sideways and the movement renews the pain in my ankle causing me to wince.

'Injured person here,' I say, gesturing at my elevated ankle.

'You told me you were fine.' Zach arches an eyebrow.

'What are you doing, Zach?' I shake my head wearily. The side of his body isn't touching mine but that doesn't mean I feel his presence any less. Awareness of his proximity radiates along the side closest to him.

'I assumed you'd be off school today, and I thought you might be a little bored so I brought you a few things to keep you entertained.' He glances around my bare room clearly satisfied his theory was correct. 'I like the look you're going for... very minimal.'

'The purpose of a bedroom is for sleep and this room serves that purpose perfectly well,' I retort, slightly insulted.

'I can think of a few other purposes,' Zach says softly.

My whole body heats and I avert my eyes to his fingers which fumble with the bag. For once, I think I'm not the only one flustered by his comment.

'These are yours.' He pulls out the two books we picked up from the library on our first outing. Images of dead decaying bodies flash before my eyes which I force away before taking the books.

I turn the books around in my hands, inspecting the bold writing with the titles Catching Fire and Mockingjay. I smile. 'Thanks, Zach.'

His hand dips back into his bag and he pulls out a screen with headphones. 'I also thought you might like to borrow this to listen to music.'

Zach holds out the screen for me and I look up at him surprised by the gesture. I shouldn't accept it but the thought of filling the long empty hours awaiting me with music is too tempting. Taking the screen, my fingers come into contact with his and I flinch slightly, but Zach doesn't move his hand away. His warm skin feels amazing and I'm struggling to remember what it had been like before.

How did I manage to keep my distance for so long?

Zach's fingers remain touching mine until they start to move. Slowly tracing a pathway along my hand and up my arm, all the way to my collarbone. His touch leaves a trail of desire etched into my skin. My senses are on overload. My muscles tighten with fear and pleasure. This is unlike anything I've felt before. Our gazes lock and I know if I told him to stop he would.

I don't want him to stop.

Zach's hand continues its slow teasing tender caress, moving up my neck and along my jawline. He cups my face and his thumb brushes against my lips once, twice, the third time he slowly separates them and a sigh escapes between my parted lips.

I'm an idiot. An embarrassing idiot who can't control my teenager urges.

Zach pauses, his eyes watching me intently but he doesn't go any further. My body is screaming for more whilst my mind is paralysed with panic.

Loud chimes echo through the settlement. Acting like a wake-up call, it brings everything crashing down, saving me from doing something reckless. I inhale sharply, gasping for air as my heart beats erratically. I blink rapidly and whisper, 'you should go.'

'I'll see you soon gorgeous,' Zach says gruffly.

He jumps up, puts his jacket back on then slings the bag over his shoulder and walks over to the window. He looks out the open window before climbing out and disappearing into the woods. A groan merged with a burst of laughter escapes my throat and I clamp my hands over my mouth to prevent any more of my emotions from pouring out.

Whatever this is isn't over. In fact, I think it's just the beginning.