Author's note: Sorry for breaking the promise about the 8k votes. I had an unexpected surgery but I'm alright now. Thanks for your patience.

Ariana G.

Chapter Thirty-one

Chemistry.

Chemistry had a lot to do with love. After all, our brains were the ones making us feel, love, think and guess what was inside our brains? Chemicals and substances that communicated among each other to make our body function and develop our personalities, our feelings.

Love wasn't only about having common likes and dislikes or learning to care about another person. It was also about finding that person attractive in a way you had never found someone before.

Having chemistry with a person is necessary to fall in love. Evan woke things in me that I had no idea were there. My body reacted to his in perfect sync and chemistry. I was heavily attracted to his looks. His smell enticed me, the way his skin fell against mine, the way his lips matched with mine. His voice enchanted me.

So biologically speaking, I was screwed.

Wow, someone's been paying attention to her biology class.

And I wasn't even mentioning his personality and everything that made me love him more every day.

I was hopelessly in love with the guy.

I had realized this as soon as I stepped on that living room. That strong pull between us made me swallow. It was pure, thick attraction.

Evan hadn't noticed me. He was throwing chunks of woods in the fire. He was all in black as usual, wearing a casual black shirt and dark pants. He looked even more handsome than I remembered.

But as if feeling my stare, he looked at me. His dark eyes met mine and I stopped breathing right there. His shock expression morphed into confusion very quickly. What are you doing here? That question was written all over his face. He straightened his body, looking ridiculously tall. He made everything around him look small. He shook the dust of wood from his hand and pulled the sleeves of his shirt back down his wrists. I shivered under his intense gaze.

"Oh, brother, I didn't know you were back already," Helen stepped in behind me. The others followed her like little kids, "Where's auntie?"

Evan gave a quick glance at my group of friends, "She went to bed early, blaming the wine." His deep voice was music to my ears after spending so much time without hearing it.

"Oh well, the guys walked me home. I offered them some hot beverage as a reward." Helen explained, "Make yourself home," she said to us, "Have a seat. I'll go get some cookies and hot cocoa."

My friends all greeted Evan, except for Shane and if Evan noticed that, he didn't seem to care. The living room was cozy and warm. The furniture was brown and wooden decorations were all around us. Lau and Jordan sat on a couch and Shane leaned against the wall behind them. Awkwardly, I sat on the couch next to the fireplace, which was just some feet away from Evan.

My hormones were drooling all over him.

"Why are you guys wearing matching t-shirts?" Shane asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Without our coats, our t-shirts were visible.

"It's a new tradition," Lau shrugged.

Shane shook his head, "And I wasn't included?"

"No," Lau grinned, "We didn't want to customize two more t-shirts."

Shane frowned, "Two?" I smiled, knowing where Lau was going with this.

Lau nodded, "One for you and one for your ego."

Jordan high-fived his girlfriend, "Burn!"

"Yeah, yeah, hilarious." Shane glared at the couple and his phone went off. He left the leaving room to pick up the call.

Evan ignored their little conversation and moved to sit next to me. I bowed my head, squeezing my clammy hands in front of my lap. He's sitting right next to me, so close, yet so far.

I sat stilled, not daring to move one muscle. My poor heart pounded desperately against my ribcage. Evan's attitude was cold and casual. As if being next to me didn't bother him at all. Did he stop loving me? Maybe, during the past month his feelings had changed unlike mine.

A flash of pain crossed me as I considered that option. I had been too busy dealing with my own misery to think about his feelings during this past month. What if he realized he wanted Jane and not me? She was an experienced, good looking girl and she seemed more than willing to be by his side no matter what.

I stole a quick glance at him and he was texting someone on his phone, biting his lower lip. I remembered how his lips felt against mine and fought the urge to pull at his shirt and kiss him. Curiosity and jealousy got the best of me and I turned my head fully to have a better look at his phone. I couldn't see though, I had to get closer to him. His messy black hair had grown slightly, covering more of his ears and forehead.

I squinted my eyes trying to see what he was typing but Evan turned his head to me in that exact moment startling me. I jumped away, my back meeting the armrest behind me. He stared at me in silence and I swallowed, embarrassed. His dark eyes held a mischievous glint. Those kissable lips of his formed a slow, sexy smile, the cute dimples appeared on his cheeks. My heart faltered and I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. He shook his head in amusement and looked away.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Evan bent forward to put his phone on the table in the middle of the couches and then, he folded his arms behind his head, leaning back against the couch. He seemed so carefree. He didn't say a word but the ghost of a smile still played on his lips.

What was I so nervous? I was back to feeling all sweaty and nervous around him. It reminded of the first time I saw him in the park. I'd thought I was going to pass out before even talking to him. Maybe not seeing him for a while made me forget how not to feel so nervous around him. I shifted to sit properly in the couch again and not backing away like a coward against the armrest. I glanced at my friends for help but Lau and Jordan were too busy talking and giggling to notice my uneasiness.

"Guys!" Helen shouted from the kitchen, "Come over here! The hot cocoa is ready!" Lau and Jordan stood up as fast as lightening to follow Helen's voice. They left me alone with Evan and that made my breath quickened.

I couldn't find the strength to move my legs.

Come on! Get up, Jules.

I ordered myself mentally. Shakily, I rose to my feet but as I did, Evan lifted his long legs to rest his feet on the table in front of the couch, successfully blocking my way.

I stared down at him. He kept his hands behind his head and he smirked at me, his eyes challenging.

I licked my lips. I could either round the table or climb over his legs. Why was he blocking my way anyway? Where was he going with all of this? I'd thought I was in control in this situation. It was me who decided to take a break from this relationship. I wasn't even sure I was ready to go back to him. However, as soon as my eyes had landed on him that night, I realized I had underestimated the power he had over me. I loved him. I felt attracted to him in inexplicable ways.

I can't resist him, can I?

Evan's eyes were fixated on me.

I averted my gaze, "Could you... um... mo-move your legs?" I grimaced at my stammering. He didn't say a word which made me look at him again to find him giving me a cocky smile.

"If you say please, peachy girl." His deep, alluring voice filled my ears but it was not that what caused my heart to melt, it was his nickname.

Peachy girl... it'd been so long.

Being the stubborn girl I was, I refused to say please. I knew he was teasing me and for the look on his face he was enjoying it way too much for my liking.

Therefore, I walked to go around the table and head to the kitchen. Nevertheless, as soon as he caught my intentions, he jumped to his feet and when I was about to cross the living room, he appeared in my way.

He cocked his head, "You didn't say please."

I took a step back, "Evan, they are waiting for me." I used my friends as an excuse. God, was did he had to be so tall? I had to tilt my head back to look at his face.

He shrugged, "Just say please and you'll be on your way." He sounded so playful and hell, so sexy.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "I don't have to say please when you're deliberately blocking my way." I explained nervously. He's too close. We are alone.

He didn't say anything nor did he moved. His gaze was fixated on me and I fell under his spell once again. Looking into his deep black eyes made me realize how hopelessly in love I was with him. Did he feel the same way? I had no idea. He knew how to mask his feelings so well. I wondered how he had learnt to do that.

Evan opened his mouth to say something when we heard Shane's voice.

"Jules, your hot cocoa is going to get cold," Shane said, appearing behind Evan. It was like we'd been in a trance and Shane had broken it.

Evan's cold expression morphed into an annoyed one. I tried to walk past him but he blocked my way again. Shane noticed and frowned.

I gave him a smile, "I'll be there in a second."

"Come on, Jules, it's seriously getting cold." Shane insisted and Evan rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Come on." The tension in the room was just too much to bare. I didn't know what to do.

Evan turned around, giving his back to me to face Shane, "She said she'll be there in a second." His icy voice echoed around the living room.

Shane clenched his jaw, "I'm not talking to you, am I?"

Evan's shoulders tense, "I don't care. She's busy right now, can't you see that?"

I really don't like where this is going.

I walked to be next to Evan, "It's alright. I was going to the kitchen anyway." I made an attempt to move towards Shane but Evan grabbed my arm, pulling me to his side.

"No, you weren't." Evan's voice sounded even colder.

"Evan," I tried to free my arm but his grip on it was tight enough to make it hurt a little. I winced.

Shane pursed his lips, "Let her go."

Evan chuckled darkly, "Why should I? Because you say so?"

Shane smirked, "No, because you're hurting her, but oh wait," he pretended to think, "Hurting her is all you do, right?"

Everything happened so fast I didn't even have time to scream. Evan lunched forwards and punched Shane hard on the face. Shane stumbled backwards, holding his jaw.

"Touched a nerve?" Shane said, spitting blood. Evan went for him again but Shane blocked his fists, twisting it and pushing Evan away. That was my cue to react, instead of standing there like an idiot.

I got on Evan's way. He was breathing heavily, his shoulder raising and falling quickly, "No, stop this," I pleaded, pushing his chest as he tried to go for Shane again.

"Let him go, Jules." Shane stated, "Let's get this over with once and for all."

"No, stop this." I looked at Evan but his eyes were fixated on the boy behind me. The rage in them scared me.

"But not here." Shane continued, "I won't disrespect this house. Let's go outside. I'll be waiting for you." And with that Shane headed to the front door.

"No, no, no," I restrained Evan as much as I could, "Evan, please, look at me."

"No." he shook his head, holding me by my shoulders, "If I look at you, I'll lose my rage." I frowned, "Your face calms me and I don't want that right now." He pushed me aside.

"No!" I exclaimed, "Evan!" I chased after him as he walked to the front door as well. In my way, I found Helen, Jordan and Lau with a wtf expression on their faces. My expression seemed to tell them everything because they only ran along with me out side.

We ran after those two idiots.

Those two idiots in love.