Chapter One
Flashback 9 years back (continued)
River met Tyler again a week later when she went to Carmella's house to complete her assignment with her. He had just returned from his gym and after a quick shower, he came and sat down beside her.
He helped them with their assignments and explained them the concepts, but River's attention was more on the constant brush of his leg against her bare ones clad in a pair of shorts. His arm brushed hers as he helped them with their work. River trembled at the electric jolt that ran through her at every connection.
"Why are you suddenly teaching us, bro? You never had time before?" Asked Carmella, glaring suspiciously at her brother.
Tyler looked at River and coloured a little. "I just saw you both struggling, so came to help," shrugged Tyler.
Carmella grinned, "Whatever you say bro," she said, getting up and going to the washroom.
"You can come here daily to study if you're stuck. I can explain to you the concepts and clarify your doubts. Hmm?" He asked, turning towards River and looking into her eyes, holding her gaze. His arm went behind her and rested on the backrest of the sofa.
"Ok," said River, looking down at her hands, sitting ramrod straight lest her back touched his arm.
"Do I make you nervous, River?" He asked, leaning towards her, to look at her face and peer into her soul.
"N no," she lied, unsure of whether to answer truthfully or not.
"So, what do you do apart from school and studies?" He asked her, still looking into her face. His face was so close to hers that her heart thumped loud and fast and she just shook her head.
"Nothing much, I love gardening and cooking," she answered softly.
"Oh, is it? Have to taste what you cook, then?" He said with a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah, if you want to, " she said, looking up. He kept staring at her and she blushed more.
"Yes I want to," he answered truthfully. River leaned back to rest her back, forgetting his arm. Electricity coursed through her body at the contact and she tried to move away as if stung. His hand held her back against his arm.
"You can relax. I don't mind," he said, still looking at her with dark eyes. River blushed crimson as she rested against his arm. He didn't let her move away, as his fingers massaged her arm where he held her.
Strange feelings enveloped her and she had a strange longing to be in his arms again.
"So when are you coming next?" He asked her, staring strangely at her.
"I don't know," she answered. Carmella's footsteps could be heard approaching them and his hand left hers.
Tyler got up as Carmella came into the room. "Riv, your dad's here," she informed and River got up and collected her books. Two books fell from her hands and Tyler picked them up and handed them to her.
"Thanks," said River, shyly. "I'll see you at school tomorrow, Carmel," said River and then looking up at Tyler, she mumbled, "Thanks, bye."
Tyler nodded and went upstairs to his room. River went home dreaming about Tyler. She was hopelessly in love with him.
The next weekend, Carmella invited River to watch a movie at her house. Her parents were away at a party Tyler had proposed to her that they could watch a movie together. River's dad dropped her off and she squealed with delight as Carmella opened the door and led her to the entertainment room where Tyler was setting up the home theatre system.
The screen was huge, nearly covering half the wall, complete with surround sound. The comfortable leather upholstered sofa cum beds were the ideal place to lounge in while watching a movie.
Tyler looked up at her and grinned as she came into the room. Carmella and River sat down, ready for the movie experience. They chatted excitedly about the movie they were about to watch. Both of them were fangirling over the lead male actor when an angry Tyler simply started a different movie altogether.
Carmella glared at her brother. "Why did you change the movie? Aren't you weird?" She said angrily.
"My wish, that's not for little girls," he said, irritatedly.
"Hey, who's little?" Shouted Carmella.
Tyler came and lounged beside River, avoiding her completely. "Bro, what's wrong with you?" Carmella asked in confusion.
"Nothing, just watch the movie, ok," he said, irritatedly.
River quietly watched him and as they settled down to watch the movie. Carmella switched off the lights and they started watching. River could feel his arm go behind her, holding her like the other day. She couldn't move away, so she sat not able to concentrate anymore on the movie.
"Riv can you make your awesome popcorn, please? We'll pause the movie," said Carmella. River nodded with a grin and got up. Carmella lay down lazily on the sofa.
Tyler got up too, "I'll show you where the kitchen is and where things are kept," he offered, going out of the room. He led her to a huge sophisticated kitchen and River was too apprehensive about touching anything in the sparkling clean kitchen. What if she burnt the place down?
"Relax, it's just popcorn. I'll eat anything you make," said Tyler, handing her a pack of ready to make popcorn. He pulled out a quart pan to make the popcorn in. She made a clarified butter, kosher salt concoction to pour over the popcorn. She started cooking the popcorn as she felt Tyler hovering behind her. She could feel his hot breath on her neck. His one arm rested on the counter as her back brushed with his body every now and then.
Why was he so near her? She couldn't think straight with him so close to her. She could smell his cologne and it created havoc with her senses.
The food was ready and he carried it back to the room and River followed him back. They all tasted the food,"This is the best popcorn ever," said Carmella and Tyler nodded agreeing to her.
River smiled happily and they proceeded to watch the movie. Carmella went to her room to sleep after the interval and River watched with Tyler. He tucked her hair away from her face and she shivered as his fingers brushed against her skin. Goosebumps erupted all over her body at his touch. His fingers massaged her head and pulled her close to his chest.
River blushed to the roots of her hair. "Relax, River," he whispered in his husky voice.
She couldn't relax. She was acutely aware of his hard body against her own. "So, how many guys are after you at school?" He asked, his dark eyes staring intently at her face.
"Not even one," she answered shyly.
"How? Such a beautiful girl surely would be having many admirers, " he asked in his husky voice.
River blushed as a small smile crept up to her mouth. She shook her head. "No? You like someone, then?" He asked, staring at her lips.
"Yes," she answered shyly and he tensed. He sat straight as his jaws clenched angrily. He left her side and put some distance between themselves.
"Who's the guy?" He asked angrily.
"Please Tyler," she pleaded to let him leave the topic. He switched off the movie.
"Tell me who," he said in almost a growl. His hand caught her arm and turned her towards him. "Say his name." He ordered.
"You, I love you, Tyler, " she confessed, looking into his green eyes.
Tyler froze, his hand left hers. He stared at her in confusion. A loud horn blared outside the house and he came out of his frozen state and went out of the room.
"River, your dad's here," he announced, opening the main door. River ran out of the room towards the main door. Her dad was waiting for her and she went out of the door, wordlessly. She was disappointed in Tyler's reaction. He didn't look very happy at her confession nor did he talk about his own feelings. She went out and climbed into her dad's car and they drove home.
