The Beginning.

Chapter 11: This is it, this is love

-September 15th - October 16th, 1993-

*One month later* 

As it turned out, they did hold each other's hands as they figured it out.

It'd been a just over a month since they had the talk on that infamous park bench. A few times, they'd had the same sort of conversation. For the time being, they'd decided to keep their spark a secret, and all affections were to be hidden. Apart from Simon, Kate and Josh who would spend too much time with the pair to not notice. Most people couldn't help but notice. 

As they showed more of themselves to each other and spent more time together, naturally, there were more disagreements.
They were both feisty and unapologetic when it came to some things - but they loved each other for it.
They knew the relationship they shared, despite occasional arguments, grooved deeper and more genuine than most of the ones they knew.

Despite the ache that they'd both feel around not being able to make their relationship public, sneaking around had become a regular and enjoyable hobby for Sam and Deena.  

Stumbling into the school toilets breathless and lustful had become a regular occurrence, as had hiding themselves under Deena's sheets and tracing seams of bra's and underwear.

Leaves had been tangled in hair and jeans had grass stains on the knees after a picnic or a stroll through fields.

Rosy cheeks and undone shirt buttons after going to the movies.

There was always an element of hesitation, though. It was hot, exciting and passionate but they always stopped if it got too heated. It was something that was unspoken. They were nervous to take that step, even the outwardly confident Deena.
Putting the physical intimacy aside, the emotional bond that was forming became unbreakable. If they were being honest, it felt unbreakable from the moment they set eyes on each other.

"Look! There it is!" Deena was pointing at shooting star. Excitement similar to a child's. They'd been stargazing a few times before this. On Saturday's, they'd frequently go on road trips, flipping coins at every intersection and camping out somewhere remote with minimal pollution - perfect for shooting stars.

They'd ended up on the roof of Deena's car, wrapped up together in blankets, surrounded by snacks and pens and paper for drawing.

Sam was half asleep, a leg over Deena's torso and an arm stretching over her waist, burying her neck into Deena's chest. She could feel her heartbeat. It was her favourite place to be.
Sam was just as excited to see this shooting star though, and she jolted upright as Deena got a sighting off it, almost throwing them both off of the car.

"Here, here here." Deena whispered, and continued to point at the star, one hand resting on Sam's lower back.

Sam spotted it before it trailed off. Suddenly there was a bright flash as Deena managed to snap a picture on her instax of Sam staring at the star, the widest smile on her face.

"Another one for the collection." Deena smiled and hopped down from the car. Sam knew where she was going.

She opened the passenger door and pulled a small box covered in stickers out of a compartment.
They'd designed this box together a few weeks ago at Sam's house. Sam's mom was out, so they decided to take the chance and spend some time there. She gave Deena a tour, then they listened to music and decorated this box in her room.

Since then, they'd been continuously filling it with nik-naks and nostalgia.
So far, there was sand from their beach trip, straws from Burger King, a mixtape they made for each other, a few wilted flowers from late night walks, a diary they both wrote in, letters to each other, stickers, notes and receipts from different restaurants, events and places they'd been to.

"You're adorable, you know that?" Sam was gazing down lovingly at Deena who was treating this box like treasure. Suddenly the stars didn't seem so important anymore.

"Yep, I know." Deena replied in a jokingly high-pitched voice.

"You're also modest." Sam laughed. "Another thing that I love about you." She finished, blushing.

"And you're incredibly soppy." Deena giggled, scrunching her nose and staring back up at Sam. "...which I also love about you." Deena winked.

"Oh shut up. It's easy to see you're just a softie. You're probably soppier than me, actually." Sam knew she was provoking Deena in a playful way.

Deena scrunched her nose again. "I think it's time for bed...Samantha."

Sam flailed her arms back in the air and groaned.

"Yeah I did kinda ask for that." Sam laughed, hands over her face.

"You absolutely did. Two can play that game." Deena had a smirk on her face.

Sam sat up and pulled her hands through her messy, honey hair. Deena just admired her for a few seconds. She couldn't take her eyes away. It was one of those moments when all of the thoughts just disappeared, complete clarity and contentment.

"Christ you're so pretty." Deena gushed. She was welling up. It took her by surprise.

At first, Sam put her hands back up to her face and grinned. Shortly followed by - "See! Soppy." Sam pointed at her, cheekily.

Deena shook her head, bit her lip and looked at the floor, then back at Sam.

"Have you got your book?" Deena asked Sam through a smile.

For the rest of the evening, they cuddled up in their old tent covered in warm tinted fairy lights and read for a while, before drifting off to sleep. They couldn't get any closer to each other. Deena was on top of Sam. Sam could feel the air gently escaping out of Deena's nostrils and onto her cheek.

'This is it.' They both thought. 'This is love.'
They were yet to admit they felt it for one another.