Chap 2

I keep changing POV in this chapter, the bold says who it is. If it's confusing please let me know!

Marissa

This feels nice. Woah, why I am thinking that? It's just her hand…it feels so…so…right? Hmm odd, I've never noticed that before. Maybe my hand is cold, and hers is warm. My hands are normally cold. Yes, yeah that's what it is. Anyway, wonder where she's taking me?

Alex

As we step out of the door, the ice cold wind whips at our faces. I feel her shiver and grip her hand more tightly. The wind catches her scarf and once again that intoxicating scent fills my nostrils. The walk down the drive comprises of brisk shivering steps, as we reach the car I reluctantly prize my hand from her delicate fingers and grab my keys. A sudden chill runs through my body as I lose the warmth of her touch.

Her phone buzzes as we gladly climb into the warm car. A sudden pang of jealousy shoots through my body. God, what is that? Why am I so jealous? I bet it's summer. She is allowed to text her you know, she is her best friend. I know, I know. But I still feel jealous. What if that text is more interesting that what we're doing? What if Marissa suddenly sees that she would rather be with Summer than me. What if I lose her? No, stop being stupid Alex. That's really stupid.

I do my best to push my jealousy aside as I start the engine.

"So where we going?" Her brown eyes sparkle as she asks the question, her beautiful face, soft features, illuminated by the nearby street light. Wow she is beautiful.

"Ah…you'll see!" I pull my gaze from her and concentrate on forming the answer with my lips. Be normal. Be normal.

As we begin to drive we chat about our day and I relax considerably. We're just friends out having a good time. No worries.

By the time we pull into the makeshift car park in a muddy field, I'm almost completely relaxed. This is why I love spending time with her so much. God she's funny and interesting. I'm so lucky.

I pull up next to blue people carrier and turn the engine off.

"Halloween party thing?!" Marissa looks at me with questioning eyes as she takes in the scenery around us. A large open field packed with people milling around with candyfloss and silly costumes. A large illuminated pumpkin sits menacingly on the grass next to, oddly, a huge bonfire roaring out much needed warmth. A few small fun fair rides blare out annoying, yet oddly cheery music, emitting the odd scream. A large area is separated off by a fence, around which the majority of people are gathered.

"What's everyone looking at? By that fence?" Marissa points toward the gathering of people.

"I dunno, let's go find out."

We carefully pick our way through the muddy terrain towards the fenced off area.

A tall, greasy looking man lurches suddenly towards us, spilling his lager as he gets closer.

"Hey babies….woah…hey…yeah….I do luuurrvvee your scc..sc..arf. Scarf."

His free hand clutches my scarf and he begins to pull. I can smell the alcohol on his breath and his face is close enough for me to see his dirty stubble and dried lips. Just as I'm about to react, Marissa's hand lashes out and makes contact with his dirt ridden cheek. I'm completely taken aback, I stand in shock for a moment as I watch his reaction.

"Woah…calm down missy…I'll give you yours later." The man grins, revealing several rotting teeth and too many gaps to count.

"No thanks, leave us alone." Marissa's tone is harsh and final. I've never heard her speak like that before. The man waddles off, chuckling to himself. I stand with a look of awe on my face.

"What?" she asks, seeing my face. "I wasn't going to let him hurt you." She strokes my arm as she entwines her arm around mine.

"It was only my scarf."

I wasn't expecting that. God that's strange, I've never had anyone stick up for me before like that.

Marissa

I don't care. God I really don't . The sight of that stupid drunken man going for Alex got to me. I know it was only a scarf, but I couldn't let him touch her. I really couldn't. The thought of him hurting her…doesn't bear thinking about. I can't believe how much I care. Why is she so shocked? I would do anything for her. Wow I really would, I've never felt this before. I don't want Alex to be shocked, I want her to know I would do anything for her.

Alex

We walked on to the gathering of people in silence, both seemingly lost in our thoughts. I'm wondering what Marissa's thinking. I would give anything to know.

"Fireworks!" Marissa suddenly exclaims.

"Oh yea, you're right. I guess they're setting them off behind this fence."

As we both crane our necks to get a better view, two people saunter in front of us. At first I barely notice them, they're just two people blocking the view. On second glance I see it's a couple, holding hands. Two men.

I wish that was us. I'm thinking. I would be so proud to hold Marissa's hand like that in front of all these people. No, stop thinking that. It'll only hurt more in the long run. I have to just be her friend and be there for her right now. I've got to stop thinking about her like this, it's only going to drive me insane. But I love her so much. It doesn't matter, stop thinking like that or you'll lose her. God I can't lose her. She's my world, my best friend. Am I hers? Probably not. Summer. I wonder if she replied to that text. Those jealous feelings are coming back. Stop it. But I want us to be a couple, I want us to be close. Stop thinking it. She doesn't feel the same way.

Marissa

A gay couple, haven't seen many of them around here. They're holding hands…how sweet. I wonder if they're warming each others hands up like Alex was to mine. Woah, did I just think that? I really like the feeling of her hand around mine, I felt safe, protected. That's it. Nothing else. No, nothing else. I didn't feel anything else. Did I? No I couldn't have done. She's gay, but I'm not. Stop thinking it, I'm not thinking anything. What if I'm attracted to her? No I'm not. I can't be. She doesn't like me like that anyway. She said so. She said I was a great friend the other day. FRIEND. Totally platonic, like me and Summer. But I feel differently around Alex. Sometimes I get butterflies, like today before I came to her house. That was just because I didn't know where she was taking me. Excitement. I think. Must be. What's going on with my head? I'm not attracted to Alex, no way, at all, in any way shape or form. Decided. Mmmm what's that smell on the breeze? I like it…kinda like peaches with something else. Where's it coming from?

I turn and look at Alex and watch as she finishes removing her scarf and re warps it around her neck. The smell intensifies as Alex wafts the scarf in the air to 'get rid of that man's greasy grease off his fingers' as she tells me.

I love her smell. Oh shit.