Chapter 3 (Pt 1)
It was their second week together. Xandrie was waiting for him in the hotel lobby, a mysterious smile on her face.
"Viens! I want to show you something,� she blurted out instead of a �hello� the moment he came down, and she grabbed him by the hand, dragging him unceremoniously toward the exit.
�Where are we going?� he protested mildly, enjoying her taking charge.
�You�ll see,� came the enigmatic response.
She brought him down to the train tracks on the outskirts of the city, and, while he was still trying to figure out what was going on, she jumped into the first open car of a passing freight train, motioning for him to follow suit.
They jumped off a couple of hours later, rolling down the soft grassy embankment. Xandrie got to her feet first, smiling devilishly at him.
�Catch me,� and she took off toward a small island of blue that sparkled amidst the deep green of the trees.
He caught up with her fast this time, both of them bursting through the thin strip of greenery side by side, laughing infectiously as they stumbled out of it, each one trying to slow the other down by hanging onto each other�s shirts.
She managed to trip him finally, and he fell on his back, bringing her down with him. Their faces were close now, almost touching, and Christian felt his breath quicken, losing himself in those laughing green eyes, the sound of his own heartbeat growing almost deafening.
Her smile faded, and she pulled back, as if frightened suddenly by the intense look she saw in his eyes.
They stood up in the awkward silence that followed � Christian, staring stubbornly at the ground beneath him, Xandrie watching him intently with a mixture of uncertainty and regret. Finally, she reached for him, taking his face with both her hands and forcing him to look to the side.
He followed her insistent gesture, his mouth opening slightly at the breathtaking sight that came into his view. A small forest lake lay before him, its smooth clear surface glistening softly under the midday sun, the dark silhouettes of the surrounding trees drowning in the gentle blue of its depths. It was the very picture of serenity, a tiny corner of nature�s beauty as yet untouched by civilization. How could he not have noticed it?
�This is what I wanted you to see,� he heard Xandrie whisper. �I like coming here � to get away from people � from tout le monde �� She paused hesitantly, and Christian looked back at her, his brow raised questioningly, waiting for her to continue.
Xandrie swallowed nervously. God, she wasn't this nervous when she had to steal her first wallet. But now, standing before this boy, she found herself shaking, her cheeks feeling as if they were on fire.
�I wanted to � share this place � with you�� she managed finally, and she saw his eyes widen in response.
Then, following a sudden impulse, she reached for him once again, this time pulling his face toward her abruptly. Her lips found his in an instant � the burning touch sending shockwaves through both their bodies. And then she broke off, just as abruptly, running away from him down toward the water.
Christian lingered in the same spot she left him, his mind reeling in confusion, his fingertips gingerly touching his lips, as if unsure the kiss was real.
�Xandrie! Xandrie, wait!�
***end flashback***