Chapter 5 Challenge

"It's quiet here and people generally don't come here."

"Do you like being Alone?"

Ares looks at me before placing another cigarette between his red lips - lips I wish could taste. With each conversation with Ares I realize my limited knowledge about him; despite having had a crush for so long.

"Why are you still here?" His question hurt me deeply, making me question whether he wanted me to leave or stay put. Ares exhaled his smoke into a space nearby before opening his mouth again to speak.

"Come, sit with me. Don't be intimidated by me; given this bizarre situation I should be the one scared."

I swallow my tongue but obey like an automaton. We remain silent for some time as my thoughts drift into confusion: Can't believe I said all those things to him! Shivering slightly as the moon had already emerged from behind its black clouds to illuminate the cemetery - certainly not an idyllic view, but being next to Ares makes it bearable.

Ares looks over at me. He seems aware of my gaze. Sensing that I am gazing upon him, Ares turns his gaze towards me.

"What?" I looked away in disinterest. She explained: "Your computer had plenty of information; it serves as an electronic diary."

"You still haven't apologized for hacking into my computer.

"No I won't.

By doing that you violated federal law; don't you know that?"

"And by stalking me, you violated at least three laws. Don't you realize this?"

"Good point." My phone rings, and I answer quickly as Dani comes on.

"Why aren't you answering the phone?" she demands, infuriated at being unable to get through to them. Your mother couldn't reach you directly so she called me instead and asked what time they can expect their arrival home; apparently thinking you may still be with me."

"Tell her I'm on my way." Where are you, soccer practice has ended for good."

"I'm at the bakery craving a donut with beautiful designs on it; someone please tell Ares about that." I look at Ares and his mischievous smile returns. "And this particular one catches my eye immediately."

"Donuts?!? But I hate donuts!"

"Just tell my mother I'm on my way." I hang up before she can ask any further questions.

Ares keeps that warm smile on his lips and I can't help but wonder what it would feel like to kiss him. "You just lied. Am I your dark secret?"

"No," I explained over the phone, before his questions about why I hadn't told Dani the truth surfaced. Before further questions arose regarding why I hadn't told her the whole truth, I asked for his company. At least until reaching a street corner - from there on I can continue alone."

"That comes at a price; he gets up.

"Is there a price?"

Yes. He grabbed his umbrella and held it out towards my chest, forcing me to step back so the tip wouldn't touch. He took advantage of my discomfort by asking, "Let me kiss you wherever I wish."

My cheeks began to burn. "That seems to me like quite an expensive price to pay, don't you agree?" I lashed out with anger.

"Are You Scared or Just Pretending To Be Brave?"

"No," I replied with narrowed eyes, "it just seems like an exorbitant price tag to me.

He shrugs and says: "So enjoy your walk alone through the dark."

He turns back around, but I still see him looking over at me from the corner of his eye. I know it's to make sure that I don't leave alone; even if it means not kissing him myself. Who am I kidding; every part of me wants that kiss too; my stomach rumbles just thinking about it.

"Wait," I reply with my newfound confidence. "Okay. "

Ares looks at me again with disbelief. "Really?" he asks me.

"Yes!" My heart could collapse any moment now! C-can we leave now?"

Ares has his bottom lip drawn seductively up. "I need an incentive to start walking."

"I promised I would pay the price."

"Have I got your word?" "Do I have your agreement?"

"Yes." Let's see if that is indeed the case.

"What?" A gasp escapes my lips as Ares leans down to burry his face into my neck, his hair brushing my cheek. My voice falters as my mind fails me completely - all this uncertainty overwhelms my brain.

His warm breath caresses my skin, awakening my senses and drawing me closer. Instinctively, I move towards him.

"Raquel," he whispers in my ear, sending chills through my body.

I can hardly believe what's happening: Ares is pressing hard against my back, his warm breath on my neck and his hand on my waist - am I dreaming?

"You're not dreaming!" Oh no! I actually said that aloud.

As Ares kisses the skin of my neck, everything becomes irrelevant; his wet kisses trail along my skin all the way up until he reaches my earlobe which he lightly suckings on. My legs weaken rapidly without Ares holding me firmly up; otherwise I would have already fallen. What is he doing to me?

As I stand there trembling, little spasms of pleasure ripple through my body and make my breath catch. A pressure builds in my lower belly; I can't believe how much havoc his kissing my neck has caused! His breathing quickens, reminding me I am not the only one affected. Once he had completed his attack on my neck he began kissing the side of my face before moving across my cheek to press his lips against mine; yet nothing came of it; no contact or kiss came in return from him but never came despite opening my mouth in anticipation - nothing came!

Ares quickly gets up from his seat and offers me a friendly smile. "Let's go."

Are You Really Going To Leave Me Like This?, I ask, but before my plea could escape my lips I stop myself in time. Ares picks up his umbrella and begins walking as though unbothered by what just occurred.

Regaining control of my body, I reluctantly decided to follow his lead.

Tonight marks only the start of something, and I don't know if I can handle it all, but at least I will attempt.

I don't find my walk back as difficult as expected, though my hands are shaking from nerves. Part of me can hardly believe I'm walking next to Ares; so, to avoid staring directly into that adorable face of his, I stay behind him a step.

My gaze slowly traveled along his defined arms and legs; his athletic body made for great soccer play, making him look strong. My gaze followed him until he caught me staring, after which time I quickly turned away.

Ares looks over his shoulder with an irresistibly charming smile that knocks me for six. Why must he be so gorgeous?

Grumbling to myself, I focused on one side of us while Ares played his phone the entire way to my front door. Once there, the atmosphere became awkward as Ares stopped beside me and ran his hand through his hair before stopping beside me to say: "Witch - Welcome home." "Well then." he continued as we made our way inside. "This is your cave."

"Please stop calling me that."

If you comb your hair more regularly, and I will!

Low Blow. As soon as I blew out, my fingers ran through my knotted-up hair in an attempt to untangle it.

"The weather is to blame."

Ares just smiles back. "Well," he begins. "Witch." Ares stops for a second to think.

Ares looks at his phone, as though checking time. "Very funny." Ares looks back down at his watch before speaking again: "Let's go in before your mom comes out to bring you in!"

"My mom wouldn't do something like that; she knows the kind of daughter she raised."

"She trusts me." I bluster boastfully.

My mother calls out from inside our house as though hearing me call out from outside.

"Raquel? Are You Here?" My panic spiked as she spoke. But quickly recovered when I said: "Oh... that was fun; thanks for walking me and good night." As soon as I finished I turned around to leave by walking out the door.

"Didn't you just state that your mother knows who raised you?"

My mother calls out my name. "Raquel?" my mother asks again.

"Hear! Listen!" I exclaimed as I gestured with both hands to ask him to leave, telling him "Go away! Shoo! ".

Ares laughs with his gorgeous smile, showing his perfect teeth. I could stare at his gorgeous smile all night; unfortunately my mother will soon come out and make a fuss.

Ares gives me the "Ok" sign with his fingers.

"All right, Stalker Witch. Let's go."

"Wow, an unusual nickname now?" Sarcasm seeps from my tone.

"I know I am highly creative." He shrugs.

"Yes, Greek God. As soon as my so-called nickname for him goes away."

Reluctant to speak ill of Greek Gods, Raquel seems taken aback at my suggestion.

"Of course I like it!"

Well that makes sense -- who wouldn't like that name.

"Raquel!" My mom's voice has become louder now.