Chapter 9

Its been a while since Charles and I kissed. And I do mean it literally. As in, he has not kissed me since our first kiss. Or, third actually. Yup, third. After the first one I cried. After the second one, I asked him about Shaw. That one was the one interrupted by Bella. And also the third one. She dragged me away. And since that day, Charles has been avoiding me. The question is: why?

Bella is an amazing friend! She gives me an 'Erik' alert every time Erik is close by. Mutation. And Erik is . . . Erik. Bella has feelings for Alex. And Alex is doing a pathetic job at hiding his. He flirts with her, but Bella, being Bella, changes her appearance, making him chuckle instead of flirt.

Right now, I am between Charles and Banshee, who is beside Erik. I was staring at Charles, who kept his eyes on Sean, who held my elbow, preventing me from falling.

"Thanks," I muttered to Sean, who gave me a smile.

I giggled.

Immediately, I felt Charles look at me.

"What?"

"You should see your face! I am so sorry, I know I shouldn't be laughing but, you look constipated!"

Sean's face visibly relaxed as I clutched my stomach, tears pouring out of my eyes as I laughed out loud. I temporarily forgot that Charles wasn't talking to me.

Then, I slipped.

My eyes widened, my senses became more acute as I fell. The wind was slapping my face. Time passed in slow motion. And then I heard a high-pitched scream and arms enveloped my waist. I stopped falling and started to fly. I craned my neck to see Sean holding me. He smiled, and slowly landed. As soon as my feet touched the ground I launched myself at Sean and hugged him.

"Thank you so much!"

"Don't thank me, thank Erik."

I felt butterflies erupt in my stomach.

"Why?"

"If he hadn't pushed me after Charles blanked out, you wouldn't be thanking me."

"Oh."

That was the only thing I could think of saying at that moment. I saw Charles, Erik and Hank draw close from the corner of my eye.

I took a deep breath, bit my lower lip, and sauntered towards Erik. Erik observed me with soft eyes, Charles froze, and Hank simply walked away.

"Thanks for pushing Sean. I mean –"

"Hahaha! Its alright. Couldn't let such a pretty face die now, could I?"

I felt heat rising to my cheeks and I knew that I was blushing.

"Hey, look at me," Erik commanded gently.

I raised my eyes to meet his. Erik raised his hand and let it rest on my cheek, his thumb caressing my skin. I froze.

"I am sorry."

My eyes widened at his apologies.

"I shouldn't have done that. I really am."

"It's okay."

Erik smiled and leaned in.

And at that moment, I felt arms clutch my waist from behind me, Charles'. He gave Erik a stony glare and pushed me behind him. Erik smirked and walked away. When Erik was close to the mansion, I felt Charles relax. And before I could decipher what happened, Charles lips were on mine. He pushed me against him and kissed me.

I didn't respond. I could survive my life without Charles. I don't need him. I spent so many years without him. I pushed him. Charles gave me a flabbergasted look.

"That was uncalled for. You can't kiss me whenever you feel like."

I turned and walked away from Charles.

My heart felt heavier with every step I took away from Charles, but I told myself You don't need him.

But, how can you convince yourself that you don't love someone, when your heart still does?