COLE

I wrap my arms around her waist.. God, she's so warm. I'm always stuck in the damn artic, it seems. My body has a normal temperature of just fucking freezing cold. I love her warmth, the way she heats up against me. Damn, I just love everything about this angelic woman. She's fucking perfect. Her hair is soft, like silk, almost... and the way she smells could drive any man crazy.. 

Wait.. what the hell?  Why am I talking about her .. like... like whatever the hell this is?  I've never talked about anyone like this... like.. like, this... 

God, I don't even know... she's too much... damn, what has this girl done to me. She's a gift, a beautiful human... she's not even human, she's a fucking angel, I swear it. 

"Liana...?" I whisper into her hair. I want to ask her the question that I've wanted the answer to for so long, I want to know the truth. I'm scared though, scared to know what she'll say... what she'll even think  about my question. I breath into her, waiting for her answer, my body still wrapped into hers. 

"Yeah..?" She finally whispers back. As awkward as that simple word was... it sounds so perfect.. so perfect that I don't even want to ask the question that holds everything we have in four simple words... 

I just want to stay in this peaceful world and not disturb it... but.. I need to know.. 

"Do you love me...?" I ask, simply and quietly. I feel her wiggling against me and I let go of her. I almost make a sound when we part, a sad one.. truth is, I don't want to let go of this girl, ever. 

"Cole.. I..." She slowly says. I watch as she swallows, the lump traveling down her throat. I look into her eyes with a smile.. but my smile slowly dissolves as I look at her. She's tensed up, her brows are furrowed and her eyes aren't sparking the way that they normally do... 

What is she thinking?.. 

"I don't-.." She pauses, I want her to continue.., "Yes, I- I do," Her words come out more as a question than a statement... she's lying. I clench my jaw and reach up, resting my palm on her cheek, "Liliana," I use her real name, her eyes immediately dart to meet mine, "Be honest with me..." 

She swallows, again, harder this time... I almost feel it. I feel a drip of water on my hand and realize that she's crying. More tears stresm down her face and I catch them, my hand still touching her cheek. Why is she crying? I'm dressed normally again, I'm me... what could possibly.... be.. so- so.. wrong? 

"I'm sorry.." She whispers, her voice breaking in between. I feel my face softening, heating up. 

"It's too early.. I just... I don't know what love even is yet.." She's sobbing now and the tears just keep flowing, "I just don't know, I'm sorry!" 

Before I know it, she escapes from my hand, my room.. and she's gone. 

I inhale sharply and sit down, back on my bed. I scared her away.. I did something... 

I clench my fist and hit the mattress hard, "Fuck!" I yell... 

My hands dart to my face and I wipe it down, burying myself into my palms. 

She doesn't love me... but I'm not angery with her, I heard what she said about not even knowing what love is and I understand her... I don't even know what it is... I just know I'm completely consumed by her... isn't that love..?

•••

"Liana!" I yell, searching for her outside still. The girl's been gone for an hour, where the fuck is she? 

"Lia-" 

"Looking for someone?" A voice interupts my call and I turn with a sharp huff. I'm trying to find Liana, I don't need this shit right now, "What do you fucking want, Nadia?" I roll my eyes, cocking my head to the side. I know she's just here to start drama or complain about the fact that I was the only one giving her attention and now I don't. God,  take a hint...

"Nothing, damn.." She crosses her fishnet covered arms across her chest, "While you were out here in the backyard dding God knows what," She chews her gum loudly and a strong minty scent travels up my nose. It doesn't smell like Liana, therefore, it's fucking gross. 

"Someone walked in our house making a damn scene looking for you." I sighed and pushed past her, walking back inside, forgetting about closing the screen door on my way in. Kelly can deal with ants, she already lives with one... 

"Who the fuck.." I mutter under my breath and I approach the kitchen. It's like time freezes when I see who's sitting at the dining room table..

"There you are," The bony woman stands from her seat, "Listen, I'm not fond of you, boy... but.. I just want to know how my daughter is doing." She walks over to me with the fakest smile I've ever seen, "What's your name again?"

I really don't want to give this woman the time of day but a part of me wants to tell her all about Liana and all the things we've done... 

"Cole.." I slowly say. The woman lets out a satisfied 'Hmph' and nods, "I'm Chery." She simply says, her arms crossed tightly. I look the woman up and down. She looks much like Liana, curves in all the right places along with large... ya know.. 

I smirk, looking up at her again, if she wasn't Liana's mum.. and a total bitch.. I might have gotten.. closer.. to her. 

My smirk dissolves when she says, snarkily, "So? What is going on with Liliana?" I clear my throat, "Nothing, really. She's just living..." 

"Where are you from? I noticed your accent.." She interupts abruptly. I get this question too damn much, "Essex.. now, you can leave," The woman huffs, "I'll be back..." She scans me up and down with her grey-blue eyes and scoffs, turning her back and walking away. Her heels clank loudly against the floor as she walks out and slams the door behind her. 

I hear a snort and look over to see Kelly. I smile along, shrugging.  Now.... back to finding Liana.... 

I continue down the hallway and outside I watch Chery's car as it drives away. My eyes catch a bit of hair in the backseat and immediately recognize the face that's with it...