Love, Eternal

Friend

The drinks were flowing far too well on this boat. Somehow Freya, Luisinha, Charlotte and Nola ended up dancing on the top deck to the music that was blasting from the boat. The guys had seen them dancing and admired them, Pierre watching only Nola. Nola only ever danced when she was seriously seriously drunk. After a while the girls all collapsed on the sofa in a heap out of breath. The boys were all sitting around chatting with each other on a lower deck
"Be right back" Nola said to Freya. She got up and made her way downstairs and inside the boat to find some water. She was walking around like a lost puppy, why did this boat have so many silly rooms and why was it so big. She got to the end and couldn't find a kitchen so spun on her heel to turn back, until she collided into a wall. Or what felt like a wall until two hands grabbed her arms steadying me. Pierre had come down to get some water also and seen Nola wandering around.

"Are you okay?" Pierre asked Nola. She looked up and was greeted by those blue eyes again
"We have to stop meeting like this" Nola said leaning against him, suddenly feeling a little dizzy, whether it was the boat, the drinks or the fact she may have concussion from hitting into Pierre's chest, she wasn't sure
"I wondered where you had gone"  Pierre held her close and kept her steady, noticing she was a little wobbly
"I'm trying to find some sort of kitchen, I wanted water" Nola said
"Oh this way" he guided Nola down the hallway back where she had come from and then into a room "I'll get it" he said. Nola leaned against the counter, the dizziness had subsided a little
"I need to stop drinking" She laughed at herself
"I mean you four have been downing drinks like you're dehydrated. Charlotte has fallen asleep" he said as he took a glass out from a cupboard behind Nola,
his arm brushing Nola's arm and leaving tingles there
"She's asleep? I literally left 5 minutes ago" Nola said
"Yeah she's wiped out" he said chuckling. Pierre handed Nola the water and leaned on the counter opposite her, which wasn't too far because these boats weren't made for the space below deck
"Thank you"
"You're welcome"
"Pierre?" Nola started to speak and then stopped herself. She didn't think this was the best conversation to have, not when drunk but she didn't have the courage sober
"Yeah?" He asked, he stood up straight and locked his eyes with Nola's wondering what she wanted
"Do you like me?" Nola asked. The words tumbling out before Nola could stop them 'I really did need to stop drinking' she thought. Pierre was flustered by the question, of course he liked her, but he didn't want to scare her away.
"What do you mean?" He asked, Nola noticed his reaction and couldn't recall ever seeing it on him before
"People keep saying things and I wanted to know if you liked me and how long exactly you have liked me, I wanted to hear you say it wasn't true"
"I've liked you ever since the day I first met you" he said looking down at his shoes. He wasn't about to lie to her. Nola gasped, she didn't think it was actually a thing. Freya's words rang louder in her head than ever before he never got the chance with you. Nola cleared her throat before speaking
"As in.."
"As in the first day I met you when we were kids, you came to the track with your brother and Charles, Anthoine and I became friends, and I met you and I just felt drawn to you instantly, the more I saw you, the more I thought about you, the more I knew I liked you. The day you chose Anthoine, my heart broke. But to see you happy and to see my best friend happy, I was thrilled for you" Nola was speechless, she didn't expect him to come out with any of this. She expected a yes or a no and that was it. What could she possibly say to any of that.
"Pierre I-.." Pierre noticed her speechless, and he decided to continue talking
"I know, you will always love him. I respect that, but I just need you to know that I've always liked you, you'll always be this beautiful, amazing, funny person. You'll always be my friend, if that's all I'm destined to be to you, then so be it" he said. He had moved closer to Nola now, her breath was shaky as she looked up at him, he put his hand on the side of her face, stroking his thumb along Nola's jaw as he got closer to her. Being this close to her drove Pierre crazy, he never thought he'd get the opportunity, and in the last few weeks it felt like he had a chance, he wasn't going to let anything stop him. "But I don't want to just be your friend" he whispered. Nola lost her head, a feeling taking her over her, like instinct was taking control. Pierre's body was pressed against Nola's and her back up against the counter stopping her from going anywhere. He leaned in, and Nola's heart raced, she was certain Pierre could hear it. Pierre's lips grazed Nola's as her eyes fluttered shut, she was silently begging for him to connect properly. Pierre wanted to so badly, deciding whether it was a good idea or not, as he decided that he had nothing to lose and went to close the gap between them, the door flew open.

"Oh sorry!" Nola and Pierre jumped back from each other, Pierre backing into the opposite counter. Nola cleared her throat and looked over at the intruder, noticing Freya in the door way
"Thank you for the water" Nola put the glass on the side and quickly ran after Freya.
"You're giving me the details tomorrow" she said as the girls made it up to the deck where the boys where
"Nothing to tell" Nola said quickly, of course there was. She was so caught up in how badly she wanted to kiss Pierre it confused her. She sat down next to Charles, while Charlotte was sleeping on his other side
"You okay?" Charles whispered. Pierre walked back and sat down next to Lando, watching Nola
"Yep, all good. Whenever you're ready I'd like to go" Nola said, she was avoiding all eye contact with Pierre where she could
"I think that's a good idea, Charlotte's already asleep" he said. Nola nodded and picked up her shoes
"Freya we're gonna go" Nola called out to her. She nodded and her and Olivier gathered there things
"Thanks Pierre, we'll do something again soon before we leave" Charles said to him as he gently woke Charlotte up
"Yeah definitely, you know where I am" he said, as he spoke he looked directly at Nola. He wanted Nola to know exactly where he was, just incase. The 5 people all left the boat and went off in separate directions. Charles, Charlotte and Nola heading back to his.. well their house. Freya and Olivier going back to their apartment.

Nola opened the door to the house, her phone buzzed in her bag. She held the door open for Charles who was carrying Charlotte, she then closed it and locked it before saying goodnight and going into her own room. She got changed for bed and took off her makeup and brushed her hair before getting into bed and picking up her phone to see. It was the same number that text her earlier, this time she knew who it was, a weird feeling circulated her stomach, she wasn't sure if it was good or bad but it was there.

I meant what I said, I don't want to just be your friend. Sleep well, see you soon x