Notice Me

by Lili Lam

After an intense few Moments of kissing, Tristan finally managed to pull away from me. A soft whimper escaped my lips and I pouted from the empty feeling I got when he separated us. He rested his forehead against mine, calmly breathing in and out with his eyes closed. Like he was cherishing the Moment, as a content smile spread across his lips.

  "Want to come over?" Tristan asked, his eyes flickering open to catch me ogling him. Damn he totally snagged me perving on him! As if he could hear what my thoughts were, the punk had the nerve to smirk at me. Without even waiting for my answer, Tristan grabbed a hold of my hand and began tugging me towards his house. Pushy much?

  "Ok?" I agreed, knowing I was still going over to Tristan's even if I answered no. Guiding me past his front porch, Tristan kept on walking towards a cement path that led us along the side of the house. We came to a stop in front of a door, which was on the opposite side of my house. It would explain why I've never seen it before. What was this, a side entrance possibly? Wow, this is pretty cool. Why doesn't my house have a side entrance?

  Removing a set of keys from his cargo shorts, Tristan unlocked the door. "Welcome to my humble abode." He smiled. Waving his arm out in front of him, he gestured for me to enter first. What's he talking about? I've been in his house before...plenty of times to have dinner with his Mom and mine or to drop off stuff to his parents.

  I can't say I've ever come in through this way though. Walking in and taking in my surroundings, my mouth dropped open in shock. My eyes immediately glimpsed over at Tristan with a look of adoration. How lucky is this guy that his parents would do this for him?

  "Seriously?" I breathed out a deep breath. "You have your own apartment, inside your parent's house?" I mean its not like it was a huge place or anything like that, but it was something to call his own. There was an area with a flat screen TV, his PS3 and Xbox gaming systems, and a sofa. Attached to this were a small kitchen area with a fridge, microwave and a table with two stools. Then there were two other doors which Tristan explained were his bedroom and bathroom.

  "Yea, my Dad and I built it when I turned seventeen. It used to be our family room. We just added some sheet rock and paint, oh and a stand up shower turning the half bathroom into a whole one." Tristan answered proudly. "Want something to drink?" He asked walking over to the fridge.

  "No thanks." I responded plopping myself down on his sofa. I was beginning to feel really nervous all of a sudden...being here...alone with Tristan. It's not that I don't trust him, because for some odd reason, I do with all my heart. The reason for the nervousness was because I wasn't sure I trusted my body and myself.

  Tristan awakens feelings and emotions inside of me that I never knew existed. I feel like a plant that was once close to being shriveled and dried up, then someone came along giving it water and sunlight reviving me. He gave me a sideways glance from where he was standing at the fridge. "You ok?" Tristan asked with raised eyebrows.

  Nodding my head, I gave him a small reassuring smile. "I'm fine." I remarked licking my lips, which were suddenly very dry. He handed me a bottle of water, coming over to sit down next to me on the sofa. Is it me or is it extremely hot in here? I wondered as Tristan continued to stare at me with curiosity. He leaned over and grabbed the remote to turn on the TV. We sat there for an hour watching an episode of That 70's Show, laughing at Fez and his air headedness.

  When the show was over Tristan switched the TV off and turned to face me. I could sense he wanted to tell me something, but by the look on his face he didn't know how. "Let's take a walk, I want to show you something." Tristan suggested as he stood up and held his hand out for me to take.

  A walk sounds like a pretty good idea right about now, considering the fact that I'm still experiencing hot flashes. Tristan didn't seem to be phased in the least bit. We left out the side entrance, Tristan holding onto my hand tightly. I know my palm is sweaty from being so close to him, but he didn't seem to mind it.

  Why is he leading me towards the wooded area behind our houses? What could possibly be back here that he needed to show me? I never ventured back here, too scared of contracting Lymes disease from a tick that decided he wanted to latch onto my ankle. Plus, I was a scaredy cat...a true chicken-shit! I'm pretty sure there are all type of animals back here just waiting to get me.

  In my lifetime, I've watched enough episodes of when wild animals attack on the discovery channel to be smart enough to stay the heck out of the woods. I could see it now, in my attempt to try and escape some wild beast, I'd fall and break a leg. Knowing my luck I'd probably break both.

  "Tristan, where are you taking me?" My voice came out with a quiver as I looked around timidly. Please don't let us run into some sort of bear or wild boar! Tristan stopped walking causing me to bump roughly into his back from not paying attention in front of me. He spun around quickly wrapping his arms around my waist so that I didn't fall backwards.

  Pulling me close to him he leaned down and whispered into my ear. "You're not scared, are you?" He asked teasingly.

  I smacked him playfully in the chest and snorted. "No, of course not." I tried to put on my bravest face to show him I wasn't, even though internally I was ready to drop his hand and run for the hills at the mere snap of a twig.

  "Don't worry. I'll protect you." He chuckled placing a kiss on my forehead. All I could do was roll my eyes at him. It felt as though we've been going forever, but I'm sure it's only been a few minutes. I swear that if we get lost out here I'll kill him. I don't have the basic survival instincts to make it out in the wild!

  I refuse to eat bugs or dirt and I certainly wasn't going to become food to anything that was lurking out here. We walked a little further coming to a stop when we came to a clearing in the trees. It was a cliff that overlooked Muscongus Bay. Down below was a bit of land made up of some sand and rocks. In the distance you could see the Marshall Point lighthouse and it was amazing! It looked so tiny from where we stood.

  "How'd you know this was here?" I asked with a grin on my face. Secretly, I was glad that I allowed him to bring me out here to experience this.

  "Me and the guys found it playing around in the woods when we were younger." He answered staring off into the water. Tristan's eyes glazed over like he was remembering the day they discovered this hidden area. Either that or he was thinking really hard about what he needed to say to me.

  I began to worry what if he changed his mind? About asking me to trust him or about not being able to stay away from me? What if he regretted kissing me that second time? Panic and doubt began swirling viciously around in my head causing me to get lightheaded. Breathe you idiot; breathe before you pass out, I mentally yelled at myself. In through the nose and out through the mouth, I recited over and over again as I closed my eyes and sucked in all the crisp air that I could.

  "Lise." Tristan's voice breathed softly. I was able to feel his breath wash over my lips as I kept my eyes closed. Like he was standing right in front of me. "Open your eyes."

  Following his command, I opened my eyes to stare up into his. I gasped at what I saw; his eyes were so silver I could almost see my own reflection in them. Blinking rapidly to try and clear my vision, I came to the conclusion that I had to be imagining things. There's no possible way someone's eyes can change colors like that.

  "I like you Lise, I like you a lot." Tristan began still keeping eye contact with me, his face the epitome of seriousness. "Thank you for trusting me."

  I was trying my hardest to pay attention to his every word, but it was quite a difficult task considering he was rubbing his thumbs up and down either side of my waist where he held me. "You're welcome." I mumbled, still lost in his hypnotic stare. His eyes were still the same silvery color, so I wasn't imagining it.

  "Do you believe in soul mates?" Tristan voice was now an octave lower, husky almost. Prickly goosebumps rose up on my arms just from hearing it.