Loving the Enemy by Nevi Bernard (life changing books to read .TXT) 📕

"H-H-Hey...." Why am I stuttering like a fool, I chastied myself.

"C'mon we've got work to do." He responded in a very bored voice.

I looked at his retreating back moving towards my living room. I walked meekly into his direction.

I bit and tugged at my lower lip as I wondered what could have sure him off in such a mood, not that I cared.

I decided to put my mind at ease by just asking. "Hey are you ok?"

He stared at me for what felt like five which I knew was shorter.

"Are we going to begin our lesson or are you going to stand there and interrogate me." He wore a grim and irked expression.

" Ok." I slowly sat in the couch looking down at my bare feet.

Did I do something wrong? Maybe I was a bit rude when I avoided him like a plague.

The silence between us was very uncomfortable, and a tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. I did the test he prepared then sat quietly as he checked the answers.

I kept gnawing at my lips and twisting my fingers into the hem of my shirt not knowing the best way to asked the question that was really nagging me.

"If you want to ask something just ask and stop pulling your clothes apart." I glanced up in time to see him sigh before continuing his task.

"Ah... well I was just wondering if you're ok... You looked a little pissed and I'm wondering too if I'm the cause." As if just waking up from a dream, I snapped out out of the mood I was in. "On second thought forget I asked. I'm gonna get something to drink. You want some...?" I turned around to look at him from over my shoulder but he didn't reply. He was still staring at me when I shrugged and walk away into the kitchen in search of time to cool out.

Almost at the entrance of the kitchen I decided to take a swim instead. So making my way to the pool house I reflected on the conversation just now and I had the sudden urge to bang my head on the nearest wall.

"Could I be any more stupid? How could I give him the idea that I give a flying horse what he thought or that I might just care how he felt?" I chastised myself. "Could my life get any worst?" I sighed as I pulled my favorite blue and white tie and dye tankini from the closet before trudging into it.

I didn't bother to slowly slide myself into the pool, deciding to dive in. I stroke water vigorously, letting go of the stress of the day. I came up for once more before stroking my way to the other side. Water spewed from from my mouth and I wiped my hands down my face to rid of the remaining water from my eyes.

I was just pulling myself up from the pool when a pair of muscular legs came into view. As my eyes followed from his toes to his face I could feel a very deep blush forming on my neck and spreading to my cheeks.

"Like what you see?" he asked smugly

"As if." I scoff fully lifting myself from the water to perch at the edge of the pool. Pulling my long braid over my shoulder I began squeezing water from it before resting my hand by my side . My feet dangled in the cool water while trying to ignore the new feeling that were arising. 

Vincent lowered himself next to me, pooping his feet too into the water. What could he possibly want, sitting next to me like we were even friends. I sighed I really don't understand why I keep bothering like I cared but before my brain could filter my thoughts, the words came out.

"Vincent what do you? Can't I get a few minutes without you hovering over me...." I sneered through gritted teeth.

I looked him to find a scowl and his face but he didn't respond. I really could get why he didn't just leave me alone we didn't have to always be in each others' presence. Yes he is my tutor, but I could stand so much and no more, especially when really all I wanted to do was kiss him like he did the last time. Subconsciously my eyes strayed to his firm pink lips. I knew the felt soft and just one touch and I would be a goner. Not able to take it anymore, I sprang to my feet in a haste to get get away.

"You know where the door is. Let yourself out." I grumbled and walked away without one glance back. Why can't life be more simpler? I thought while ascending the stairs to my room.

Vincent's POV

Something woke me up. I wasn't really sure what was happening, just that something serious was happening. I gazed around me still disorientated from sleep. Then I heard it.

"You having been sleeping with her, haven't you?" My mom's voice rang out in the air. 

My parents has been at it for months and it was starting to get the best of me. I really didn't want to be here during their quarrels. Thank heavens I can stay at Kevin's. He and Jason both know that my parents aren't as happy as they make it seem. It's all about appearance for them, never about feelings.

I sighed as I got up to search for my phone. I'd thrown it somewhere in my room after leaving Krissy's house. She'd been pissed off for some reason.

You pissed her off, came the thought and I felt just awful knowing I did that. I loved a lot of things about her; Her smile, her laugh, how she twirls her hair when she's thinking deeply about something. 

You're so whipped my inner self said jeeringly.

"Not if I can help it." I said out loud.

Though women are need and are necessary for men to survive, I'd rather not get seriously involved with one that I'd lose my head. Look at my parents' marriage. I will not get married if it's the last thing I do, I thought. 

I found my phone just by the edge of my desk, luckily it hadn't fallen off. I tapped my foot rhythmically as I searched for my best friend's number. I listened to it ring while trying to block out my mothers angry screams at my father who bellowed back his own angry response.

The phone kept ringing until it went to voicemail. I tried twice more and the same thing happened. Beginning to become frustrated I tried calling Jason whose phone went unanswered. Reaching my wits end I tried the one person I never thought I'd have to call, Kristal.

It rang twice and by now I was even edgier than before tapping furiously. She picked up on the third ring.

"Hello?" came the groggy reply. I melted at the sound of her voice, just imagine what she'd sound like when turned my perverted mind put in. Shaking my head I scolded myself for my misbehavior. 

"What was that?" She asked

I must have heard my mumbling and thought I'd been talking to her. "Nothing." I said quickly

"Vince?" She said shocked as though I were the last person to call her at that hour.

"Yeah it's me."

"What do you want? I'm not really into your little games. It's two in the morning and I need to be ready for the history test tomorrow. I'll hang up now." she rants and suddenly she was my savior.

"Wait! Can I come over?" I asked timidly

"What?"

"Can I come over?" I asked again

"Why?"She said slowly

"Look I can't tell you..."

"I'm not into the games Vincent, why do you want to come over?"

I sighed knowing I had to tell her something but not knowing what. I was silent for sometime before saying, " I really can't tell you... yet. I just know that I need you now." 

I could have hit myself for saying that last part but I couldn't take it back. And though I tried to deny it countless times it was true. I needed her more than I knew how to explain. She'd always ignored me to even know how I felt but I didn't know how long before she knew the truth about these feelings that has been plaguing me since forever.

I heard her sigh irritatedly then she mumbled, "You can come over." so softly I almost missed it.

"Thanks. You don't know how much you've helped." 

I was about to hang up when she asked curiously, "What did I help with?"

"I'll see you in a few." I said pretending as though I hadn't heard a word she'd said.

I listened to my parents rant and scream at each other, they'd been at it for sometime but no one else knows other than us. Outside our home they're the perfect couple who love each other, at home they're enemies. It's hard to believe that being in this kind of hostile environment would strengthen my belief in true love. I believe their was a time that they both loved each other and somewhere along the way something tore them apart and they hurt each other because of the pain they are in.

Optimistic to the core? I know. I try to be because it's the only thing I had left that keeps me sane. I sigh as the screaming got to fever pitch and I could no longer sit and wait for them to move away from the view of the front door.

Grabbing a few things for the next day I walked quietly on tip toes, and out into the now darkened hallway leading to the back door. I didn't bother to write a note to say where I would be, just slipped through the back door and onto the  patio. Glancing back once to ensure my safe departure, I made my way to the  side terrace and into the front yard. 

I thanks heavens for my sloppiness as my bike was thrown down at the corner by the side terrace. Jumping on I pumped as fast as my legs could take me. My fear of the dark pushed me to go faster. I'd never overcame that fear and tonight it was more evident as my facing heart made it hard to concentrate. The shadows created by the trees felt like arms reaching out to me and I felt if I stared into the dark long enough I would see the glowing eyes I feel watching me. 

The view of Kristal's house couldn't come too soon as I made a stop in front of the big iron gate. Too afraid of taking out my phone I tapped feet edgily until I decided I couldn't stand here where danger lurks. Pulling out my phone I dialed her number from memory.

I had made an attempt many times to set things straight between us and tell how I truly felt for her but as the coward that I was, I would always chicken out. I jumped when the gates began to open and soon I noticed Kristal in her pajamas standing by the gate. Placing the phone back into my pocket I quietly pushed through the gate.

"Now that you're here, are