THE KISS
"So how's with the study?" Rachel asked walking into Seth's room.
He sat on his bed, legs stretched out, a heavy text book in his hands.
"Much with the boring, a little with the...boring," he replied looking up.
Rachel laughed, Seth loved it when she did, her whole face lit up and knowing that he was making her happy was something of a great thrill. She moved further into the room now sitting on the opposite end of the bed. Part of Seth wanted her to move closer, but part of him was unsure how Rachel felt in return.
"What are you studying?"
"Math."
"Oh, now I get the 'much with the boring thing'. Math was like the silver bullet of death at my school."
Seth put down the book and looked at her. "You went to school?"
Rachel shrugged aware of how interested he was in her.
"If you can call it that. It was more like a concrete, hell-hole with wire fences."
"Aren't they all."
"Maybe..."
She was now looking at him as well a slight smile on her face. Seth loved it when she half smiled; it was something that must have run in the Atwood family as he had seen Ryan do it many times. But something about when Rachel did made his heart skip a beat. He continued to watch her.
"Where's Ryan?"
"In the pool house," Rachel replied.
"Really?"
"Yep."
"And you're here?"
Rachel let her eyes travel around the room slightly. "Looks like."
"Sorry it's just that you guys seem to be joined at the hip."
Again Rachel laughed and Seth had to control himself.
"You noticed."
"That I did."
Rachel moved a little closer now. "Well when you go through what we have together and survived, you'll get it. Not that I wish that upon you or anything."
Seth nodded. "No wishing going on in this room."
Well, by you anyway, he thought.
There was a long silence now and Seth was unsure of what he should say to break the ice a little between them.
"If you could change anything in your life, what would it be?" He blurted out before silently scolding himself at the lack of charisma in the question.
"Excuse me?"
"Don't worry, it was nothing."
"No...I mean it was something."
Rachel moved even closer now so that she was beside Seth facing him. She looked into his eyes and he had to look away, her gaze almost enchanting.
"Why won't you answer me?" She asked calmly.
"Because I have no wacky pun to go along with it."
Rachel smiled at this and looked down slightly. "Is everything a joke with you?"
"You noticed."
Again silence and this time it was Rachel who looked away.
"Ask me again," she whispered.
Seth stared at her for a moment. "It wasn't a big deal."
"Then why'd you say it?"
"Um...making conversation...had nothing else to say...I'm an idiot."
"I'll go with the last one."
Seth smiled at the comment. "Thanks, nice to know I have your support in this."
Rachel turned and leaned back against him, her head rested in the nape of his neck. Seth's eyes went wide at the gesture, unsure of how to respond.
"So, Mr. Cohen, are you going to ask me?"
Seth wasn't thinking of what she was any more. Instead he was thinking of another question he wanted to ask her. A more intimate and honest one.
"Maybe later," he replied.
.........
"We're going out tonight," Ryan had told them. "Me and Marissa have plans. You'll be okay by yourselves?"
Rachel had raised an eyebrow at the comment. "No."
"What?"
"The fifteen-year-old from Chino and the wacky sixteen-year-old from New Port can't spend one night alone." Sarcasm filled her tone.
"Very funny Rach."
"I thought so."
As the couple left, Ryan turned back around to Seth and whispered. "No funny stuff with her, you hear me?"
That had been over an hour ago now and the house was eerily quiet. Kirsten and Sandy had long since left to attend a dinner party at Julie Coopers house so Seth and Rachel were left alone to make their own fun.
This consisted of a late night and a movie in the lounge.
Seth returned from the kitchen with popcorn and drinks, placing them on the table, careful not to spill the contents. He then sat down next to Rachel who had a blanket pulled over her and was reading the blurb on the movie they had rented earlier that evening.
"You didn't skimp on the butter, did you?" She asked picking up the bowl and examining the food it held.
"Nope. They're full of cholesterol goodness," he replied reassuringly.
Rachel put the bowl on his lap and moved closer, resting her head on his shoulder so she could reach it. Seth, out of pure instinct and want, placed his arm around her, which only made her move closer.
What am I doing? He thought. Sure, I like this girl, but Ryan will kill me!
"Which ones yours?" Rachel asked indicating toward the drinks.
"On the left," Seth replied.
She leaned forward to take the two drinks holding onto him so she didn't topple over.
Is that her hand on my thigh?
It was.
Oh my God!
"There you go," she said handing him the drink and lifting hers. "To a great night in."
They toasted.
The movie ran long and in large proportions they both found themselves not watching at all but rather getting occupied with other things. Rachel found an interest in the buttons on Seth's shirt.
Oh my God! Oh my God!
"Look at these little button holes. How the hell are you supposed to take this thing off?" She asked.
"It's not hard when you know what you're doing," Seth said before he could stop himself.
Rachel moved away from him and leaned her back against the opposite side of the couch.
"Really?"
"Uh...yeah."
"I bet I could do it."
Seth smiled at that, he couldn't help himself. Here he was sitting on a couch with one of the most beautiful girls he had ever met; practically being told her wanted to take his shirt off.
No, she didn't say that. Stop it Cohen, you're imagination is getting out of control.
"Is that challenge?" he asked playfully.
Rachel couldn't help but laugh that the comment.
"I'm kidding Seth."
Dammit. Imagination, you've done it again.
"I'm gonna go wash up," she said picking up the empty dishes and leaving the lounge. Seth was close behind her offering to dry.
"You know I was kidding too," he said sheepishly.
"About what?"
"The challenge...with the shirt...and the buttons...and the undoing of the...uh...shirt...buttons."
"You never stop surprising me Seth."
He watched her washing the dishes, completely mesmerised by her beauty, waiting for the opportune moment...
Rachel placed the final glass on the drying rack as Seth went to take it. The glass slipped through his hands and fell to the floor, smashing into a thousand pieces around them. The bother knelt down to pick up the fallen object. Reaching for the same piece of glass, their hands met and they both froze looking at each other.
"Seth..." Rachel began but was cut short by Seth's lips on hers. She pulled away shocked and fell back onto her feet.
"Oh my God..." he said
Seth shuffled on his spot, cleaning up the last of the glass and scrambling to his feet.
"I'm sorry...I didn't..."
He turned to leave but stopped when he felt a hand on his wrist and a slight tug. Seth turned back around and fell to his knees before Rachel, where she pulled him close and kissed him. He rapped his arms around her and there they stayed for what seemed like an eternity, finally symbolising their feelings toward each other.
When Rachel finally pulled away she met his eyes and smiled.
"Sorry for what?"
Their faces were inches from each other and Seth rested his forehead on hers, still tasting her kiss, sweet and pure.
"Wow," he said.
"Yeah," Rachel breathed.
"So I guess this means..."
Rachel half laughed and looked at him. "Yeah."
Seth nearly collapsed with happiness, but instead he met her lips again for a long moment. He snaked his hand through her hair.
"You are so beautiful."
"Is this one of those times where I think you're serious but you're really joking?"
Seth smiled. "Like hell it is."
Rachel looked away.
"I'm serious..."
She buried her head in his chest embarrassed by his comment and he kissed the top of it, resting his chin atop.
Well, Ryan, so much for no funny stuff.
TO BE CONTINUED.........
(LOL, don't we all love it when something actually goes right for Seth? Anyway, hope you like the chapter, please review and give me any suggestions, I'd love it. Next chapter is when the story arc really begins, and the 'something' from Rachel's past returns...and not in a good way.)