Lovers in October

ELEVEN

M A R Y - K A T E

Did she want him to kiss her?

That question swirled around in Mary-Kate's head relentlessly, around and around as if it was trying its best to make her dizzy. Two days had gone by and yet the memory was still fresh in her mind like it only happened a second ago, so vivid she could reach out and run her hands through it. And the minimal contact she had with Antonio due to their schedules didn't help to get him off her mind, his presence imaginary when not real. And it was a particular kind of torture she couldn't stand. He had become a need of hers, even the smallest of interactions. She didn't want to just wave from afar, but really sit close to him and feel his presence seeping into hers. But everything was easier from afar, when distance was forced to exist in between her and the problem at hand. But when things reached close proximity, that's when everything got rough, for her mind trembled onto paths it wasn't supposed to.

But she could swear he was ready to kiss her when they were under that alcove. The way she could feel him stare at her was too strong, making it impossible for her to look, dedicating herself to the magnetization the moon provided. It was indeed one of the most beautiful nights she had ever witnessed, and it was easier to let herself fall for that beauty instead of his. She sensed the power his eyes held, and if she didn't want their friendship to be completely ruined, there was no way she would be able to look at him, even if she definitely, secretly wanted it like the forbidden fruit.

With that thought another question arose; Did she want to not ruin their friendship? Or had she now come to the conclusion that she wanted to risk it all. Maybe she was ready to take the leap of faith off the hill, hoping there would be water at the bottom instead of sharp rocks.

"Mary-Kate!" Charlie snapped her fingers again in front of Mary-Kate's face, calling her name a little louder this time.

Mary-Kate re-adjusted herself in her wooden chair, swallowing the salad she had been chewing for a little too long while she was invested in deciphering the thoughts that were running freely inside her skull. But unfortunately for her, she did it at a time where Charlie was talking, therefore realizing she had zoned off and got lost in her memories.

Since her and Antonio met, Mary-Kate noticed she had been doing that more and more often, and she knew that it wasn't something Charlie would have missed.

"Sorry, can you say it again please? I promise I'll listen this time." Mary-Kate promised, only to see Charlie raise an eyebrow in response, but with a teasing smile.

"It was boring anyway." Charlie shrugged, her smile being replaced with a devious grin Mary-Kate saw enough times to know she should be scared. "So what did you do?"

Mary-Kate frowned, trying to work in her mind what Charlie was trying to tell her without uttering the cryptic words. Of course, from the anxious feeling spreading down Mary-Kate's body and to the tips of her toes, she had a feeling she already knew what her friend was asking her. But she also knew she would rather jump through a window than tell, for she would never hear the end of it about how her and Antonio were apparently the perfect match. She wanted to spare herself from that monologue that would of course be interrupted by a few denials from Mary-Kate's part here and there, which of course would not slow down Charlie by any means.

And she was not sure whether or not she was ready to share something that felt so intimate with anyone but herself. It made her wonder if Antonio told anyone. Did it feel as personal, as intimate, as it did for Mary-Kate? Or was it something he did with another man or woman before, making her one with the rest?

"After your party, I mean." Charlie continued, misinterpreting Mary-Kate's silence as a sign she had not understood. "You and Antonio disappeared in the middle of it. Thank God you did that after the cake because it would have been embarrassing."