Her

Thomas

A text came up on her phone. It was from Thomas, hardly an unusual occurance. The two had been messaging more ever since the night by the river, and it was a matter of time before they each realised what was happening. It read, "folks are out for the weekend. You down?" Cassie's heart raced at the mention, though she didn't understand why. She accepted and set about packing enough clothes for the few days. The whole time, something in her head told her that something was going to happen. She didn't even know if it was something wrong, she just knew whatever it was, was going to be big. She could feel it in the way her chest was tight, forbidding her heart from beating as fast as it was and as desperate as it was, for barely a reason at all.

"Oh come on its double at least," Thomas laughed. He had only just realised they would have to stay in the same bed, not that he was complaining. Something about her drew him in, but he could see she didn't feel the same. So much for love at first sight. He fought his way through blind attraction like a dinghy in a storm, threatening to capsize at any moment. "Fine, but a pillow barrier minimum," she laughed back to him. She knew her gut feeling was still around, though still unsure of what exactly it was warning of. When she joked about the pillows, she felt stupid, like a toddler concerned over the boys having the 'cooties'. Yet she stuck with her decision, albeit begrudgingly.

They both refused to face the feelings they had, not gaining any distance nor losing any. Like a boxing fight with seemingly never ending rounds, they thought through without a question to the other about giving up the struggle. Cassie had the determination and independence Thomas loved; Thomas had the soft and gentle ways while protecting those he loved, and what he believed in.

When it came to the evening, pizza boxes chucked along the floor, the two were sat near three feet apart in the lounge watching a movie. While it could have been the opportunity they both needed, tired, not thinking, in a darkened room, neither of them seemed to take the hint. Thomas moved slightly closer to Cassie, careful not to disturb whatever peace they had made for themselves. Edging ever closer for the rest of the hour, eventually he put her arm around her. She jumped at the motion and didn't know how to react, pulse racing and chest tighter than before. She couldn't move; frozen in place for fear and excitement equally. Now it made sense: it was always meant to be him.
She slowly put her head onto his shoulder and cuddled into him, watching the movie still. Harmless right?