Her Undeniable Temptation

Zoe took a deep breath to regain her composure. “So what’s gonna happen now?” She asked, desperately needing a distraction from what seemed to be raging inside her. “Stay here until school let out I think, the nurse said it was okay If I did.” He said and leaned back into his chair, probably to give her some space.

Alex needed space and yet she didn’t want to leave him. Just the thought of leaving this room weighed heavily on her chest, it was freaking weird. “Mind if I keep you company?” She asked rather shakily. He rolled his eyes. “Of course not, Zoe.” He replied.

They sat together in the nurse’s office for a while making small talks, she mostly watched Alex dreamily. She felt thankful that he looked better and better each time she gaped at him.

Once the bell rang to dismiss everyone for the day. They both stood up and gazed at each other. Without seeming to give it a second thought he leaned down and gave Zoe a quick hug, she tried to pretend that it was like hugging any of her friends but it wasn’t! It was Alex.

And Alex has never really been in the same league as the rest of her friends. To tell you the truth, she has always valued him more. “Thanks for staying with me Zoe, you have no idea how much this meant to me.” He whispered into her ear making goosebumps appear.

“Anytime,” she whispered back, he pulled back and gave her one last smile before leaving.

It felt like forever before she made it to her bicycle. She was taking driving classes so she was basically going to get a car soon, before she could even unbuckle the bicycle. She crouched down close to it and started crying again. Crying because Nothing had physically changed, and yet, nothing was the same now.

It wasn’t the same because she has finally admitted it to herself. Something that she had to keep hidden for a while, she was in love with Alex. It was an undeniable temptation that she had to keep hidden.

The big festival period in the pack was usually spent with family around but during this festive period, Lilian had traveled! Zoe was just left with her dad and Lilian’s sister pup Zack who was ten years old.

Lilian and her sister had traveled to their own pack since their mum was sick! She always loved this time of the year. The snow, and the decorations were always pretty.

It was definitely a season for family, fun, happiness and of course love, oh love. What would we do without it? Love can absolutely make you feel incredible and yet hurt you so much at the same time! Strange.

That’s how Zoe was feeling as she helped her dad put up a decoration. Her dad doesn’t really like evergreen decorations, so they only put them up only a couple of days before the festival and take it down before new year’s eve.

Dad had a weird system for tradition. They don’t go all out with stringed popcorn actually, Zoe doesn’t even know anyone who would string popcorn. Just light a few ornaments, and of the moons of course.

Zack sat on the couch watching them do the work. He looks like a lazy brat! Dad put the moons up and stood back to admire it, “What a lovely decoration, you two agree?” Her dad asked, smiling at them.”It’s awesome.” Zack said.

“Really awesome dad,” Zoe added.

Her dad went to the kitchen to prepare the meal. Zoe’s dad knows how to cook and his food tastes really delicious, Zoe sat down on the couch beside Zack! Her phone kept going on and off repeatedly with texts from Luke, Dora, and Bella.

Everyone was excited about the nice kind of long break from school. Zoe hadn’t really been paying much attention to the conversation, she was too messed up right now to care about anything! Her hidden love for Alex was eating her up.

It was like a ball and chain around her ankle. No matter how hard she tried to remove it or run away from it! It was still there, what was she going to do now?

It’s not like she told him how she felt. Zoe doubts he would even remotely feel the same way about her, guys like Alex don’t go for girls like her! Plain and simple.

She was ugly and unattractive, she couldn’t be compared to Bella or even Dora. It was a fluke for Luke to even like her.

It would be an absolute miracle if Alex did, so many problems and really no sign of a solution. Why did this even happen? Why does she love him? Maybe because he constantly tries to cheer her up or says little things that just get her better.

It is nearly impossible to figure out exactly why you love someone. Like, you can’t pinpoint it. With Luke, Zoe knew she only had a crush on him before they started dating but she fell in love with him after a month of dating.

Zoe knew she gave Dora and Bella that it was crap to fall in love fast. She was such a hypocrite! It was easy to fall for Luke though, he bought her flowers, and left her cute messages on voice mails but now with Alex! It was totally different.

Zoe has known Alex for almost four months and they haven’t really dated for those months. How do you fall in love with someone you have only kissed once, a k**s inflicted by a game but you do end up loving him! Zoe wasn’t even sure of that.

She was in love with two amazing guys. Sigh, and she has no idea on what she was going to do. Festival morning was spent with Zack and Zoe going to visit their cousin with their dad, they had pancakes for breakfast before going to open presents.

After that, they went back home with their dad. Three of them cuddled on the couch and watched the classic, how the grinch stole Christmas and frosty and the snowman! Some of the best memories of her life were having mum back and celebrating festivals with them.

Zoe strolled to the kitchen to steal a couple of sugar cookies. Naughty little thief, she knows.

Her phone rings! She checked the caller I.d and it was Alex. She almost choked on her cookies. Should she answer or let go? She debated. Finally, she gave in and answered. She had such an overwhelming need to hear his voice, yep she was in love. Zoe sighs before speaking.

“Hello, happy festival to you!” He says all cherry. “Yeah, you too,” she answered back. “How is it going so far?” He asked. Zoe felt strange talking to him after realizing her true feelings for him, he doesn’t know anything yet so she was going to try not to get weird.

Keyword, try.

“Oh, you know plenty of presents and cookies. How Are you? You are not alone right?” She asked, gritting her teeth together. “Well, I’m for now but I’m sure Mr. Gilbert will show up later.” He sighed.

“Your dad isn’t even going to spend the festival with you?” Zoe demanded. That pissed her off. “Who doesn’t spend the holiday with their son?” Zoe asked but she could hear him chuckle.

“I’m really okay with it, sometimes I just prefer being alone.” He said. “And is this one of those times?” She asked. Right now Zoe was upset and pissed that he was always alone. Ugh, maybe she should take him some cookies, surprise him like he randomly shows up at her house.

“Yeah, I guess it is one of those times! The house kind of feels peaceful, I wouldn’t want him here to disrupt that.” He said as Zoe sighed. “What are you doing now?” She asked. “Started a fire in the fireplace a while ago. Now I am about to pour myself a huge glass of eggnog and see how long it takes before I throw up.” Alex said, making her smile.

“Your stomach doesn’t agree with eggs?” She guessed.

“Nope,” he simply replies.

“You can always come to my house, you are always welcome,” she said, hoping he was going to come. He was quiet for a moment. “No! I mean thanks but no thanks. I have already intruded on your family enough.” He said.

“Don’t think like that Alex, you aren’t intruding,” she said. “Okay, fine I’m not intruding or whatever but I am gonna stay here.” He said.

This felt like a no-win situation so she let go even if one side of her chest burned from his rejection of not coming.