wander

31|call it our place

I dig through the leaves in the tassel basket of the rusted bike and pull the key ring out. I grab the gate key and push the door open. Romeo walks past me as I lock the gate back up. He takes a seat on the small wooden box. After I lock the door, I walk up to Romeo. I tug at his hand to pull him off the box so I can lay out a blanket. He won't budge. I push my lip out and pout.
"That's mean." I whine.
"Hey! That's mean, you know nobody can resist the pout and puppy dog eyes!" He whines too.
"Good to see that works. I'll note that next time I want something." I smile as he lifts himself off of the box.
 I pull out the blanket and lay it down. Romeo takes a seat before it's set out straight. I try pulling out the wrinkles but they aren't going anywhere. I sigh and take a seat next to him. I lay my head against his shoulder. He combs his fingers in my hair. I get a sudden thought. I snap my head back at him and he's taken by surprise from my sudden action. 

I stand up and a smirk plasters over my face.
"What are you thinking?" He says slyly. I don't answer his question but instead reach for the hem of my dress. I feel Romeo's eyes snap away and I don't even need to look at him to know that. I pull the dress over my head. I finally look to Romeo and he is watching the birds in the tree, acting as if it's the most interesting thing in the world.

"Hey." I say, my voice showing no emotion. Romeo slowly turns his head and I can tell he's trying not to look at my body. He's staring right into my eyes and trying not to blink. I laugh and turn around. I run forward off the dock and into the lake. The water swallows me up and I pull myself up to the surface of the water. I wipe the water from my eyes and brush my hair back with my palms.

"You should come in. It's nice." I say whilst still wiping my eyes. He doesn't say anything but bites his lip.
"Not much of a swimmer?" I question with a laugh.
"Oh uh no I love to swim." He stutters over his words.
"Sure." I say sarcastically and turn around to swim away. 

Before I know it, Romeo is swallowed in the water. I scream as the water splashes me from his cannonball. I laugh so hard it becomes a snort and it makes me laugh harder. Romeo laughs with me and my mouth hurts from smiling so much. It's a big change from this morning. He pulls me into him by my waist and my laughing dies down. Before he pulls me any closer I splash him with water and his arms drop me.

"Oh Chiara Smithers, you have no idea what you just started. The game is on." He pushes the water onto me with his palms and I try to swim away but it's too hard because I'm laughing too much. I get a little far from him but stop because I'm laughing too hard. He starts swimming up to me and finally pulls me into him. I smile and before I know it, his lips are on mine.

His tongue plays with mine and I try to follow his lead. I tug at his hair and his grip on my waist tightens. I wrap my legs around his back and lay my arms on his shoulders. His arms support my back and the other hand is on the back of my head. I smile against his lips and he pulls away, panting.

"I have one final thing to ask." He seems nervous. I slide my legs down and he places me back in the water. I stare up to his forest green eyes and he lets out a little laugh.
"I know it's so early to ask this but I can't wait any longer. I've known since I first saw you at the top of the stairs telling Rose you have no clothes. You looked at me briefly then hid back in your room. You didn't know but your Dad had seen the way I looked at you. He said and I quote 'go get her'. And now I'm 'getting you' well trying to at least."

"Romeo just ask me the fucking question!" I smile and shake my head.
"Chiara, will you be my girlfriend?" He bites his lip nervously. I don't answer right away and test his patience.
"Of course!" I smile.

He smashes his lips over mine and I'm taken back by his sudden action. I don't hesitate to kiss him back. I feel amazing. This morning was the worst day of my life and now this is the best... afternoon of my life. I pull away from the kiss and rest my forehead on his. He rubs his thumb over my bottom lip and drags it to the other side. My breathing is heavy after the passionate kiss and I'm speechless.

I swim up to the dock and pull myself up. I feel Romeo's eyes on me as I go to lay on the blanket and soak in the sun. I hear the water ripple and I look up to see Romeo pull his body up. His muscles flex and I feel my cheeks redden. I close my eyes and feel Romeo next to me. I don't bother to open my eyes until I hear the camera shutter click. I shake my head and feel a grin on my face. I hold my body weight my propping myself up with my elbow. He still has his phone camera facing me and I bring my lips up to the camera on the phone and blow a kiss to it. Of course he takes photos my face inches closer and closer. He put's his phone down and swoops in to kiss me.

"That phone is going to get more action than me!" He whines like a child.
"Too bad." I laugh it off.