Drawn (2 page)

Smiling, he sets a can of coke in front of me before moving over to the pin board and flipping it over. I frown slightly as I’m now faced with a board pinned with a calendar, bills and a few photos.

He makes his way over to the table and sits across from me, raking his hand through his messy jet black hair and popping his own can of coke before taking a thirsty gulp.

“Sorry, I didn’t realise I wasn’t supposed to be looking at that,” I say, indicating the now flipped pin board.

“It’s fine,” he says, focusing on his sandwich. “I normally flip it when I’m expecting someone. Um, what time are you supposed to be meeting Aaron?”

“One, although I’m a little early
,” I reply glancing at my watch. It’s twelve fifty two, and I’ve already been here for five minutes. 

“Ah ok,” he says
, before filling his mouth with almost half of his sandwich. He must be hungry.

“I didn’t just steal half your lunch, did I?”

He grins around his food, covering his mouth slightly as he shakes his head in the negative. Swallowing he says, “Don’t sweat it, I’m happy to share. So how do you know Aaron?”

“We’re studying for the same degree.”

“Ah, of course,” he says, his eyes twinkling at me as he finishes devouring his sandwich and starts to wash it down with his can of coke. “Here,” he says, reaching out and popping the top of my can, twisting it around so the mouth is facing me.

“Thanks,” I say again. “You make a really good bacon sandwich.”

“Thank you,” he nods, as he sits and watches me eat, his eyes still twinkling in what looks like amusement over the top of his can while he takes another swig. “So how long have you and Aaron been dating?”

“Oh. No. We’re friends. We have been since the first day of uni. I mean, we dated for a while, but the age difference became a bit of an issue. So that was the end of that.”

“Why was your age a problem?" he asks, taking another sip. 

"Because when my dad found out I was dating an older guy, he cracked it and forbade me to go out with him – although, I think it was really just the whole ‘dating’ thing that was an issue."

"Do you always do what your dad says?"

"Why wouldn't I?" I shrug. "I mean, it's n
ot like he's super unreasonable. He's just strict. Especially after my brother died, he just wants me close. I can understand that."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Why? It's not like you killed him. He got drunk and fell in the river." I shrug, feeling there wasn't much more of an explanation needed. 

He studies me for a moment, his eyes on me seem to bring
the surface of my skin to life as if I can actually feel everywhere he sees. Taken aback, I reach for my can of drink and lift it to my lips, hoping my cheeks aren’t flaming too brightly.

“You keep mentioning an age difference. If you’re doing the same degree as Aaron, you’d have to be at least 20. You’re third year right?”

“Yeah, third year, but I skipped a couple of grades in high school, so I’m only eighteen – well, almost. My birthday’s next week.”

“A couple of grades? Geez, what are you? A genius or something?”

“Not quite. There just isn’t a lot to do but study when you’re not allowed out.”

I can see this information rolling around in his head as he regards me for a moment.

His brow creases as he leans back in his chair. “So, let me get this straight - you’re an eighteen year old girl, and you’ve come here on your own, to the apartment of a man you’ve never met, and eaten lunch with him like it’s no big deal. What if I was dangerous?”

Suddenly I bristle a little. “Excuse me? How is visiting the home of a friend suddenly dangerous?”

“You obviously have zero life experience. I don’t blame your dad for being so strict with you.”

“What? Of course I have life experience. Probably more than most girls my age.”

“Really? How many high school parties did you attend?”

Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I’m not sure if I want to answer – I never got invited to parties in high school. No one wanted to invite the girl who was younger and smarter than everyone else. I missed out on everything social about high school. All I did was study.

But once university started, even though I was younger than everyone, I was finally able to socialise. The Bar Café on campus holds social events that start at lunch time. On top of that, my lectures and tutorials, don’t take up the whole day. So I’d leave home before nine and get home before dinner at six. As far as my father knew, I was in class or studying at the library – I could fit a lot of fun in around those hours. And I did my damnedest to join in with everything I could.

“You didn’t go to any parties did you?” he asks, narrowing his eyes as he assesses me.

“No ok, no one wanted me around. I totally missed the party scene in high school – are you happy?” I snap, more out of embarrassment than anger. “What’s it to you anyway? It’s not like I’m totally sheltered. So what if I didn’t have a social life in high school? I’ve had one since I started uni – I’ve even managed to have boyfriends. I’m not totally clueless.”

“It matters because a girl like you shou
ldn’t be entering the apartment of guys you don’t know.”

“I can assure you that I’m quite capable of looking after myself,” I tell him.

Shaking his head he sets his can down. “It doesn’t matter, a girl – no matter how strong she is, is no match for a guy when she’s cornered.”

“My father teaches Aikido. I trained with him every day until I was twelve. I assure you – I’m fine. Plus, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a bit of an amazon.”

“Oh, I noticed – you look like an Amazon princess or something.” His eyes move over me appraisingly before moving back up to my face. “It’s part of the reason I think you’re making a big mistake. It’s great that you know how to defend yourself but it’s not going to help you if you’re trapped is it?”

Annoyance flashes, hot in my chest as I push back from the table. “Listen, this is obviously a bad idea. Just tell Aaron to call me when he gets in. I’ll wait for him in the park across the street. I’ll practice my self-defence skills while I’m there in case I get mugged by one of the little grannies coming out of the post office.” Shaking my head, I roll my eyes. “Thanks for the food,” I add as an afterthought, as I stand up and gather my things to leave.

He rises as well, watching me as I sling my bag over my shoulder and turn towards the door. With a speed that seems unnatural for a man with his bulk, he suddenly slams his body up against mine, effectively pinning me against the door.

“What are
you doing?!” I shriek, my heart beating wildly in my chest as I struggle against his body. He leans his face close to mine and I go still, his warm breath on my face sending shivers over my body. I should probably be scared right now but instead, all I can focus on is the firmness of his chest against the softness of my own, and the beautiful colour of his eyes staring into mine with what looks like concern.

“Do you see what I’m talking about?” he whispers close to my ear, his voice threading its way through my senses, making me dizzy and short of breath. “Sometimes a man will be faster and more trained than you are. It’s not safe for you.”

My eyes flutter and the only sound that escapes my mouth is a whimper-like ‘huh’. I can’t believe how affected I am by him, I just met him.

As our eyes lock, and I feel sure he’s about to kiss me and hold my breath, waiting for him to do something. My phone chooses that moment to start playing Young Girls by Bruno Mars. I gasp as he releases me and steps back, moving immediately to the table to clear away our plates and empty cans.

With a shaking hand, I reach in my bag and pull out my still ringing phone. Frowning, I slide my finger across the screen to answer the call.

“Uh, hello?”

“Etta? Where are you? I’ve been waiting for you for ages. I thought you were coming over today?”

“Uh… no, I mean yes – yes I’m coming. Um, what number apartment are you in again?” I ask, eyeing the man who I had thought was Jeremy in front of me as he leans against the sink with his muscular arms folded over his broad chest, watching me with darkening eyes.

“Nine.”

“Nine,” I repeat as I open the door and look at the number, now noticing the scrape marks from where it has obviously spun countless times. Reaching up with my finger, I slide the number up to its original position and press it in place so that it’s now a number six.

“Um… hello?”

“I’m here.
I’ll be at your place in a couple of minutes. See you soon,” I say before disconnecting and turning my attention back to my deceptive host, pointing to the number on his door. “You might want to use something a little stronger than Blutach to keep that in place in future. It will save you getting unwanted visitors.” 

“You were definitely wanted,” he says watching me intently.

Shaking my head, I ignore the clenching of my insides as my body responds to him. Instead, I call him a jerk and step out into the hall way. Closing the door quietly, I take a moment to calm myself down before looking at the doors around me, quickly locating number nine on the other side, almost diagonal from this door.

As I step away, I jump slightly when the music starts up again in the room behind me. I can’t believe that guy just took me into his apartment when he knew I wasn’t here to see him. To what? Teach me a lesson about self-defence? I don’t care how sculpted-from-marble-by-the-hands-of-the-gods you may look – who the fuck does that?

I walk towards the correct door, pray that my face isn’t too red and knock. I’m immediately greeted by another Adonis and almost gasp at the sight of him as well. What the hell is this? The secret hiding place for all of the god’s love children? I’m wondering if I knock on every door I’ll find a model like creature living inside. 

“Jeremy is it?” I ask, double checking this time.

He grins, his blue eyes almost getting lost in his perfect smile. “That’s right, come on in. Aaron’s just hunting for his keys,” he grins, stepping aside to let me in.

I can’t help but notice the stark contrast in the state of the two apartments. This one is basically a mirror image of the one across the hall, but as you’d expect for the home of two single men – it’s not the tidiest place in the world.

“I’ll be right out,” I hear Aaron call from the bedroom.

Jeremy moves some papers, books and clothing from one of the couches and gestures for me to sit down.

“Geez, you’re a tall one,” he comments, looking me up and down.

“So I’m told,” I respond, smiling politely.

“You know, I used to think I was a pretty decent height. I mean, I’m almost six foot, but then I moved up here. Is there something in the water supply or something?”

“Who knows,” I shrug before attempting to steer the conversation away from my six foot, one height. “Where were you living before?”

“I’m from Victoria. Grew up on Phillip Island,” he nods.

“So you’re a bit of a surfer then?”

“Not really,” he laughs.

“Found them!” Aaron declares from the doorway to his room, holding his keys up triumphantly. “Hey Etta, thanks for waiting,” he smiles moving over to the couch and
planting a kiss on the side of my cheek. His stubble grazes my skin as he brushes past.

“No problem. Are your ready to go though? We
’ll have a few places to look at.”

“Absolutely. I just need my wallet…”

***

Twenty minutes later, Aaron has located his wallet and we’re saying goodbye to the real Jeremy. As we walk down the hallway, I try my hardest to keep my eyes from str
aying to the door at number six – what is that guy’s game anyway? Why not just tell me I had the wrong room?

“What’s going on?” Aaron asks me, looking over his shoulder. “You seem a bit skittish.”

“Oh it’s nothing. I just had a bit of an altercation with your neighbour over there.”

“Who,
Damien?”

“I don’t know his name. I just knocked on the wrong door at first because his number was upside down.”

He rolls his eyes and shakes his head slightly. “Doesn’t surprise me. That guy’s a grade A fuckwit in my books. He’s some kind of artist and has girls streaming in and out of there all the time. He’s the kind of guy that gives the rest of us a bad name.” Shaking his head, he runs his hand through his sun streaked blond hair then abruptly pauses, tapping on his pockets before exclaiming, “Oh shit. I left my phone on the charger. Meet me downstairs in the car?” he says, as he passes me his keys.

Rolling my eyes at his absent mindedness, I can’t help but smile as I take the keys from him. Knowing Aaron, he’ll be another twenty minutes trying to find his phone too.

The moment I step in front of number six, the door bursts open, and my arm is caught by a very strong hand. I spin my arm around effectively evading his grip, and step away.

“What the hell is your deal!?” I hiss out, not wanting to cause a scene in the hallway.

“I’m sorry, ok – at first, I was just having a joke. But when I realised how young you are, I realised how dangerous it could be for you if this happened somewhere else.”