Our Hearts Beat For Anne

Anne

For the past forty five minutes, Vincent has been flipping through books like he was looking for something but wasn't finding it.

On two occasions when I turned to glance at him, he was tossing a book aside and picking up another to continue his flipping exercise.

I could tell he was frustrated because in addition to the flipping and tossing, he kept on sighing.

I was getting worried that he might start tearing his clothes and dragging his short hair next. Maybe am exaggerating but he was close to agitation.

"Hey?" I found myself calling out.

'typical you Anny.'

He looked up from yet another flipping and stared at me.

Go on Anne, finish what you've started, he'll flip and toss you next.

"Err..why don't you take a break...those books are exhausted already." I said smiling hoping he got the joke.

He exhaled heavily pinching the bridge of his nose and to my surprise he pulled back his chair and stood up.

He stretched his whole body and then proceeded to walk slowly with his hands in the pockets of his track pants to where I was sitting and plopped down next to me with just a little space separating us.

He folded his arms, his muscles flexing beneath his white t-shirt which didn't go unnoticed by me. 'Yea, am a fan of muscles.'

He rested his head on the headrest and closed his eyes.

I ogled him like a psychotic fan, fighting the urge to touch his arm.

But he was burdened by something, that's for sure and I really wanted to help.

"You know you got me scared for a bit there, I thought you were going to start ripping your clothes and hitting your c.h.e.s.t."

He smiled still closing his eyes. That smile .

'Glad I could lighten the mood though.'

"What's bothering you Vince?"

He sighed and sat up, opening his eyes with his arm still folded and then turned slightly to face me.

I can't seem to get used to looking at his face. This man is beautiful, with his sharp jawlines and straight nose and those eyes, almost gray with thick dark lashes shading them.Don't get me started on those lips, they are small yet full and luscious.

Focus Anne!

"A cancer patient of mine was on remission a few months back but the cancer came back in full force a few weeks ago and its rapidly s.u.c.k.i.n.g the life out of him."

Oh no

"Am so sorry," I said placing a hand on his arm.

I felt tingly like there where little charges coursing through me.

He lowered his gaze to where my hand was touching him and I almost jerked my hand away but then he relaxed back into the couch and stared into space.

"I've consulted different books and worked alongside several cancer specialists but nothing. I feel am missing something and its frustrating!" He said throwing his head back on the headrest and closing his eyes again.

I increased the pressure of my hand on his arm because let's face it, I couldn't help any other way.

I don't know his patient or what treatment he has undergone and his not allowed to divulge any of that and then again am a laboratory student.

He unconsciously placed his hand over mine which was on his arm rubbing circles at the back of my hand and I was almost jolted across the room by the force of the sparks that was ignited from the point where his fingers where touching mine to the core of my stomach.

"But I'll be fine," he said raising his head and withdrawing his hands when he realized where it was.

"So, what are you watching?" He said gesturing to the TV.

"Divergent."

We both turned to see the two main protagonists in the heated kissing scene.

Awwkwardd

From the corner of my eyes, I could see him staring at the screen indifferently.

His phone rang and he brought it out to answer a video call. Just then, I heard the sound of thunder outside and the rain started pouring heavily.

I went over to the window to look through giving him some privacy.

I didn't know it wanted to rain, typical Alba weather.

"Who's that at the window," this coming from the person talking through the phone.

I turned immediately almost tripping because the curtains entangled my ankle.

I heard the person laugh.

"Hello," I squeaked.

"Hello sweety," she said smiling at me.

" Son, is there something I should know your not telling me?"

"Mum?" He warned.

"What?" She protested. "You have a girl in your apartment, a pretty one at that, what do you want me to think.

My cheeks heated up immediately.

"Nothing. I want you to think nothing."

"Oh shush, bring her to my party."

"Mo..."

"Gotta go, your dad's calling me,love you son, bye. Coming dear!"

"Mum! Wait!"

The line went dead.

He sighed and then turned to look at me registering my predicament.

"You can untangle yourself, right?" He asked amused.

I looked down at my ankle. I had forgotten I was still tied up. I tried to free myself but it proved difficult. It was as the curtains where having a dead grip on me.

Vincent stood up and walked over to where I was standing, his back muscles rippling as he bent over and untangled me from the clutches of the evil curtains bent on embarrassing me.

What is wrong with me!

"Thanks." I said bashfully.

"Anytime clumsy." He teased standing straight.

I smiled, my cheeks almost at hundred degrees now.

He looked through the window and then back at me and was about to say something when his phone rang again.

"Hey?.....yea she's here.....what's going on there.....are you okay....alright. Here Anne, its Andrew," he said handing his phone to me.

"Hello Drew?"

"Anny, there's a really big storm out here and the roads are blocked, the river near the school overflew flooding places, please don't leave the house, it's not save. I'll try to come back but if i can't I'll stay at Paul's, okay?"

I was too shocked to speak, not because of the storm and flood but because I might be spending the night here, alone with a guy that's not family, that was new . I didn't even know what to feel.

"y..yea," I stammered.

I handed the phone back to Vincent who was staring at me. He took the phone, spoke some more which i wasn't paying attention to, then ended the call.

"Anny, are you okay?"

I wasn't even aware I had zoned out.

"Yea am good." i wasn't.

He stared at me thoughtfully, he does that a lot.

"Hey, relax, get comfy till this storm passes alright?" He said coming to stand in front of me.

I looked up at him and for a moment, our eyes locked and held, He then cleared his throat breaking the awkwardness.

"I'll go grab us some food, is pizza okay with you?"

I nodded and then he left for the kitchen.

I checked my phone, it was already six o'clock which further dashed my hopes of sleeping in my own bed this night.

'calm down Anne, it's all good, I hope.'

I went back to the couch and sat down. As if on cue, Vincent walked in carrying a box of pizza, a carton of orange juice and two glass cups.

"Ordered this earlier," he said dropping the box pizza and the rest on the table, returned to the kitchen and came back with two plates.

"Anny," he called out dramatically with deep velvety voice, "..dig in," he said and grabbed a slice, taking a huge bite.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling. He was going out of his way to make me comfortable and that was sweet.

I took a slice and started eating. Hadn't realized I was starving till now and the pizza was out of this world.

We finished eating and i helped him carry the dishes into the kitchen, he disposed the pizza box and i washed the dishes in the sink.

'what now.'

Outside, the rain intensified crumbling the minuscule hope i had left.

Vincent is cool to be around but I get tensed up with different unfamiliar feelings when his close and I hate losing control of myself to thing that are foreign to me.

He excused himself and went upstairs while i went back to my couch which is now my favorite place in the house.

The movie in front of me wasn't appealing anymore but I had to use it as a distraction from my present situation.