Beauty From Ashes

NATASHA'S POV

I scoffed and turned away quickly as I left him at the door and made my way into the living room.

I was just trying to hide my cheeks which were probably as red as tomatoes, and trying to hide my embarrassment as well.

“No…I'm not…why would I…my bottle of perfume fell to the ground as I tried to get up. That's why I smell like perfume.” I said, stuttering.

I heard him chuckle behind me as he walked in and closed the door behind him.

“Uh uh, if you say so.” He said. His voice told me he didn't believe me one bit.

God, Nat…what were you thinking? He's definitely laughing at me right now.

I had a crush on him…would he think I'm stupid? Would he laugh his ass out with his friends?

The stupid fat girl who's just a charity case is in love with him? I cringed and sighed mentally.

Why did I always do this? Make up fake scenarios in my head to hurt my feelings?

It didn't stop it from hurting less if they eventually happened.

But this was good. It would stop me from developing any stupid feelings for Peter.

I had to get my head out of the clouds. Peter was way out of my league.

“Um…you can stay in my room. I'll find you something to snack on.” I told him as I turned to him.

He was watching me when I looked back and I immediately looked away, my heart thumping.

“Okay” he simply said.

I hurried to the kitchen and breathed a sigh of relief. I looked around…um, perhaps I could quickly make a sandwich for him.

There was juice in the fridge already, Peter liked the sandwiches I made for some reason.

I smiled but jumped all of a sudden when I felt hands on me.

I turned to see Peter standing behind me and smiling down at me. Like, really close.

I breathed a sigh of relief. And punched him lightly on the arm.

“You idiot. You scared me.” I scolded.

He shrugged, and grinned.

“I'm sorry, but that was priceless. The look on your face. We're the only ones in the house…who else could have touched you?”

He was mocking me. I narrowed my eyes at him and turned away, starting to make the sandwiches.

“Yeah, fine…mock me all you want Peter Melton. My reaction was completely normal, okay.”

I turned back to him and arched a brow at him.

“Besides…you were supposed to be in my room. What are you doing here?”I asked.

He shrugged and stepped closer, peering over my shoulders to see what I was doing.

He grinned and wiggled his brows at me.

“Sandwiches again? I'm convinced you're trying to cast some kind of spell on me, melon. It's working.” He mused.

I laughed, my chest fluttering with growing feelings.

“Melon?” I asked, amused.

He nodded and reached out to pat my head, I held my breath and looked up at him.

“Yeah, melon…watermelon is too long. And you're my little melon. My cry baby.” He cooed and bopped my nose with a finger.

I scoffed and wiped his hand away, and turned back to making his sandwich.

“You big tease, you're not getting a sandwich anymore. You can watch me eat mine. I'll just stuff myself on this.” I said with a scoff.

He laughed and my heart stopped, frozen in my chest when he wrapped his arms around my waist.

He leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. I could feel his breath hot against my neck, and his voice sent shivers down my spine.

My legs were shaking, and if I wasn't so big…I could have fallen.

What was he doing? I thought as my heart thumped crazily against my rib cage.

“Uh uh. You're going to make me a sandwich, melon. Or you're going to have to figure out your assignment yourself.” He whispered.

I was mesmerized. Standing there with his arms around me, for a fleeting second, I thought maybe…just maybe he liked me.

That he really saw me and not just some charity case or a fat girl who let bullies walk all over her.

But my own mocking thoughts were stronger. His arms wrapped around my waist suddenly reminded me of how big I was and I swallowed.

I gently but firmly moved out of his embrace, and I immediately felt cold.

But, I ignored it and moved to the fridge and got out a carton of mango juice and a glass.

Who drank mango juice? Apparently, Peter did. We had to stock up on that after his visits became regular.

I poured him a glass and handed it over to him with shaky fingers. I gave him a watery smile, hoping he didn't notice my mood had changed.

He accepted the glass, his eyes fixed on mine, a thoughtful look on his beautiful face.

“You're acting all weird, spill. What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?” He asked, his voice mirroring concern.

I shook my head, my thoughts churning cruelly and that stupid inner voice…mocking me.

Daring me to tell him I had feelings for him.

Instead, I nodded and wiped unshed tears away.

“It’s…I suddenly remembered Patty. She used to tease me about being a crybaby too…I suddenly remembered.” I said softly.

Liar, liar, pants on fire, my mind yelled. But it didn't matter. Peter believed me.

His eyes softened and he set his glass aside and walked closer to me and pulled me into his arms.

Patty wouldn't mind if I lied with her name like that especially if she knew why, she was cool like that.

The problem was, my lie just drove me back into his arms.

At least, maybe I could just enjoy it. Feel what it meant to be in Peter Melton's arms even just for a few seconds.

I sighed mentally as I sank into him, soaking up the citrus tinged with a woody fragrance on him.

God, I closed my eyes and leaned even more into his embrace. I inhaled like a creep, and a hint of spice hit my senses.

I almost…almost let out a moan, before I caught myself and bit down on my lips.

Dang it. That was close. God, I was definitely the worst kind of creep. I just had to like the one boy I couldn't have.

I pulled away from him and stared up at him, with a smile.

“I'm fine now, Peter. Thank you.” I murmured.

He smiled down at me, his hands caressing my cheeks, while his other hand tucked a strand of hair behind my ears.

“I hate seeing you sad, Melon.” He murmured and leaned even closer and kissed me deeply on the forehead.

I gasped in surprise and stared up at him. His eyes had darkened to a deeper shade of blue and he was staring at my…lips?

No way…I was definitely imagining it. But was I imagining him lowering his head and his lips getting closer to mine?

I held my breath and waited, my heart screaming, his lips were about to touch mine.

And then I heard Piper and Bart's voice from the living room and we pulled away like we had been stung.

I walked back to the counter, my heart beating erratically against my chest.

“Um…I'll…be in the living room…” he trailed off and he was gone.

I let out a sigh and slumped against the counter.

Oh God. Had Peter Melton been about to kiss me?