Roads Once Traveled

He's walking on the opposite side of the street. Not because he's mad at me, and not because I'm mad at him, but because he's playing with me. He's not really avoiding me, simply paying me back for last night. It's silly and childish, but I wouldn't have the payback come in any other form. It's his way of giving me fair warning just in case there's a next time, and teasing me the way he always does. I really wouldn't have torment come in any other form, as this is a very pleasurable pain.

I don't know if the person walking by my side notices, but it's hard for me to pull my eyes away from him. It's been a very long time since I was able to admire him from a distance. The last time I played the watching game with him, I was twelve. Back then I'd watch him for as long as I could until I broke into a fit of giggles, unable to stand staring at such a lovely male for too long. Now, I barely crack a smile as I watch him walk at the same pace as me.

He's purposely walking faster than usual, matching my stride perfectly. I know he's doing that on purpose. His natural stride is much slower than mine and he often tends to lag behind, unless I'm dragging him down the street by his hand. It drives me insane that he'll keep up with me only to taunt me, but I really don't mind. Like I said, it's a pleasent pain.

I notice the light breeze ruffles his hair, hardly able to lift the thick locks that fall against his back. I make a note to inform him he should trim his hair, it's getting really long. He reaches up and runs his hand through his bangs, brushing aside the stray strands the wind knocked loose. I find it amusing the way he's always fusing over his hair. Not one strand can ever be out of place, otherwise he has to fix his whole head of hair. Which is a lot, mind you. I know that when we get home, he's going to straight to the bathroom to redo his hair, just because the wind knocked loose a few strands.

He stretches and places his hands behind his head, locking them together as he walks. That posture of his never ceases to amaze me. He manages to walk that way for hours and I don't see how his arms don't grow tired. I actually think it's kind of cute, the way he's always putting his hands behind his head. Walking, sitting, laying down; they always end up locked together at the base of his skull.

He glances at me out of the corner of his eye and I see him cock an eyebrow. He smirks and looks ahead again. The smirk doesn't leave his lips and it makes me scowl for a moment. I really don't care if he knows I was watching him, what bothers me is now he's going to rub it in my face. He'll do so in ways only I would notice, of course. Another way of taunting me, he never lets the others know what he's up to and he makes sure to speak in a body language only I can understand.

His hands unlock and as as soon as his arms fall to rest at his sides he hooks his thumbs into his belt-loops. Since his hands are occupied, he tosses his head back for a moment and let's the wind place his hair. Once satisfied with the feel of his hair, he steals another quick glance my way. It lasts for only a second, but he winks and I blush. Another pleased smirk claims his lips and his eyes are once again locked ahead of him. Another scowl finds its way onto my face as I hear him chuckle softly.

A part of me hates the way he enjoys teasing me so much. It makes me feel like a little school girl all over again; he makes me feel so insecure. Then again, another part of me enjoys the way he makes me feel so young and vibrant all the time. I adore the way he teases me, despite myself. He keeps me on my toes, and I love that about him.

He picks up his pace, just enough to get an inch or so ahead of me. I glare at the back of his head for a moment, knowing just why he's doing that. More teasing. He's showing me what's got and he knows that sight will always drive me wild. He knows I love every part of his body, but he purposely teases me with his backside. He knows I like that part of him just a little too much for my own good. Of course, I can't help but stare for a short time that lasts longer than it should have.

Slowing down again, I can see him smirking once more. I roll my eyes and fight the urge to shake my head. He's such a brat, but I love him for it. If he wasn't so bratty, so boy-ishly attractive, he just wouldn't be him. I mean it with everything I am when I say I hope he never, ever changes.

We're drawing closer to home, and he still walks in synch with me though we're on opposite sides of the street. I glance down the street and then to him, wondering just how he'll pull this off. There's only one door he can use if he wants to stay close enough to taunt me. And I seriously doubt he would go far enough to walk all the way around the block just to use the back door. I think even he knows that crosses the line between maturity and immaturity.

We draw closer still and he finally crosses the street, striding over to my side slowly. Another taunting gesture; he knows I want him to be close and so he walks slow on purpose. I make eye contact with him for a moment and I catch him smirking again. It makes my blood boil and I look away; I can only take so much of his antics before I need to give into him and let him win again.

He stops walking and I continue on like nothing's gone on between us for the last few moments. I head into the house and he lingers behind for a moment before joining the rest of us. I linger in the hallway as I take off my shoes and I feel him brush passed me. I fight the urge to look over my shoulder and at him; I know I'd be greeted with yet another smirk and I couldn't handle that. I wait until he starts walking down the hall and towards the kitchen.

I watch him again, but only for a moment. A small smirk of my own claims my lips before I head into my bedroom to change clothes. It had been such a long time since I watched him from afar. It had been a long time since he watched me watching him and used it to his advantage. It's been so long since I fell in love all over again.

-End