World After Worlds

Tiana was standing on Lyndon's front door, she was nervous to get in. In dazed, her fists were clenched as she was agitated whether she should knock or call out for him. After they kissed she could not say a word or do anything. She wanted to run away from embarrassment but even her feet were not listening to her. In the end, Lyndon sent her home. He told her to collect her thoughts and think about his proposal of becoming his girlfriend but it was not that easy. She liked Kraig, kissing Lyndon was not supposed to make her heart tremble.

She looked at the sky and it was gradually turning blue and orange. They left the academy early but it took her hours to get here. Her mind was just too occupied to think of anything. Even if she wanted to think of something she was just too… enthralled by what Lyndon did to her lips.

She gasped of cold air and frantically shook her head to erase that memory and keep on replaying on her head. She held onto her cheeks that were burning and convinced herself. They kissed but that could not mean anything. How can he become her boyfriend just because they kissed? She could still feel his tongue in her mouth.

She shook her head again, almost knocking on the door to stop the embarrassing images playing again and again on her head. Upon calming her nerves she had involuntarily looked at the vicinity of Lyndon's house. It was the most magnificent house that a person their age could have in this town. Actually many students, especially the boys, were envious of Lyndon in terms of everything. Keeping that in mind, many girls were envious of her for becoming Lyndon's only trusted friend.

When Kraig came to the frame, she forgot how great Lyndon actually was. Because Kraig was a little nicer to her, she thought it was her fairytale becoming real with a great prince charming who would not fail to protect her, love her, care for her and always make her happy. However, it did not end well for her, it was rather abrupt… he brought the most painful feeling. She swallowed the tears urging them to fall from her eyes. Just by thinking of Kraig she could feel the heartbreak. She thought it was actually a happy ending with him but it did not feel like that anymore.

She firmly closed her eyes and dissipated Kraig's images on her head. She should not think of anything. Boys… boys bring trouble and heartache. She should take a break from them— she nibbled on her lips and nodded her head as if she had finally made a conclusion.

Lyndon asked her for permission… this time. She would not be hasty. She looked around again and sighed in her heart. This was the best she could do for herself right now.

Although the holiday was around the corner, Lyndon's house was as plain as it had always been. She had always wanted to come to this house and have some tea with him before but he never invited her to come. As far as she could recall, whenever she would bring up that they should hang out on his place he would always disagree and scowl at her in disdain. She had the impression before that Lyndon liked her but the thought would immediately be replaced by the idea that he certainly hated her. He was not a child, how could he treat her coldly and harshly when he liked her? If that was the case he should have treated her right. Though it seemed that he came to his senses when another man arrived and almost had her.

She gathered her courage and knocked on the door. She waited for Lyndon to open the door and it did not take long. When she saw his tall stature, she felt her heart was frozen before it started to thump loudly. She could not look at him in the face. She tried so hard to forget the kiss—but it was too impossible to forget that instant!

"You're here." His voice that did not affect her before sounded so manly at this moment. She closed her eyes firmly and tried so hard to think of something else in her head. I am here to do the assignment, that's it. No more or less, let's not mention anything to him for now. Finish the assignment and talk later.

"Yeah." She nodded her head and looked ahead to the house. "Can I come in?" Lyndon stepped back and widened the space on the door. Tiana came in and waited for him to tell her where to go.

They were friends for a long time but this was the first time that Lyndon let her into his home. She looked around and saw that he had a big collection of the magic wands and some exquisite magic tools that even the academy could not provide in physical attribution.

"Let's go." Lyndon nonchalantly grabbed her hand, she could feel her heart hammering from the sudden action. Why is he so touchy? It was making her nervous that he would just suddenly pull her for another kiss again…

She was afraid that she could not push him away again. Because… the kiss was so good to deny.

"Where are we going?" Tiana followed him and they seemed to be headed to the kitchen. The equipment that they could use to create the potion was already set. All there left was the brewing. He did not let go of her hand and took the book of potions that was prepared on the counter as well.

Tiana struggled to tranquilize her mind and heart yet Lyndon was not making it any easier for her! He was touching so casually and the way their skin touched was sending her goosebumps. Also they were maybe not in a close space because the kitchen was large, she still felt that she was trapped in this area with him.

"Lyndon, can you let go of my hand?" She held her breath and forced herself not to stutter or sound fluster.

"Tia," he called her nickname lazily, Tiana gulped. "What should we brew?" He ignored her recent request of him to let her go.

"L-let go of my hand first, please." He was silent for a second and drew her into him, her eyes widened in surprise and quickly closed her eyes expecting something but he actually let her go. He draped something over her neck and when she opened her eyes she found herself being dressed in an apron. He was behind her tying a knot on her waist.

"How about we do enoua?" He said and she could feel his grin. "You should drink it after I mix the ingredients."

"Yes?" She gulped and felt his long fingers on his neck to her hair. He was tying her hair as well. "Enoua."

"You sound stupid." He laughed and held her shoulders before turning her body to face him. Tiana saw him smiling widely and skimmed his forefinger on her nose to her chin. He made her look at him. "Are you blushing?" He asked with his teasing voice and she could not repudiate. She was so stunned with his flirtatious movements and words. Since when did he become so playful that was causing her heart to jump out of her chest by this unpredictableness?

"When I kissed you—" Tiana covered his mouth without thinking. She did not want to hear that right now. She could ot subdue the burning sensation of her cheeks spreading to her face and neck. The lingering feeling of his fingertip scraping on her scalp and neck made it worse.

"Why…why are you talking about that?!" She yelled flustered. Beneath her palm. He smiled. Soon after, she retreated when the naughty thing in his mouth licked her! What's wrong with him right now?! She was about to step back again when she realized she was trapped on his sturdy arm. "Ly-Lyndon, stop this! You're making me nervous." She choked from the pressure. He extended his free hand and touched her left ear. He pinched it and rubbed it, caressed it with gentleness between his thumb and forefinger.

She gulped, he was staring at her face too keenly as if he was waiting for any reaction.

"I did not do that for you to forget, Tia." He said after the long silence and stopped playing with her left ear.

"I …Let's just do the assignment, please!"

"Tiana."

"Why are you doing this? I told you I like Kraig—"

"It doesn't matter."

"What do you mean it doesn't matter?"

"I will still court you, Tiana. If I can make you blush like this, I can make you fall in love. I will not force you into anything. So, tell me a way to have your heart. Give me a chance and don't tell me there's no way I can win you because right now, I am making your heart flutter, don't I?" He smirked, Tiana felt like this smug handsome face would haunt her to sleep.