perfect storm

Chapter Eleven | Confessions

April 8th, 2022, 3:00 PM

holy shit. i slightly pulled back from surprise. he noticed and stopped kissing me, stepping back. "fuck, Ruby, i'm sorry. i shouldn't have done that." he said, rubbing his temples with his pointer and middle fingers. i stood there, in shock, that the boy i thought felt nothing for me just kissed me in this dressing room. he lingered in the room, and then turned to leave. all of a sudden, my legs started working again. i reached out, grabbed his arm, and practically yanked him back towards me. i brought him back to our original spot, taking the side of his face in my right hand. he was looking down at the floor, mad at himself for what he just did. 

i stroked his cheek with my thumb. he looked up at me with tears in his eyes. i placed both of my hands on his shoulders, pulling him closer. our faces were now centimeters apart. i looked him in the eye. he sniffled. "i'm sorr-" i stopped his statement by placing my lips back on his. i couldn't help but wrap my fingers behind his neck, deepening the kiss. he hesitated for a second, and then i felt his arms wrap around my waist. i reciprocated by wrapping both my arms around his neck, pulling our bodies closer. i was in catharsis. it felt like my feet could lift off the floor any second. i kissed him like it was my only chance. i kissed him like my life would end if i didn't. 

he started exploring my body with his hands, running them up and down my back. he slipped his hand under my shirt and i gasped as i felt the small jolt of electricity once again. his hands were a little cold, and my skin was warm. he gripped my body and pulled me closer to him, if it was even possible to be closer at this point. i pulled back for air and opened my eyes to see the tear that was once in his eye, falling down his cheek. i wiped it away with my thumb. "Eddie, what's wrong?" i whispered. he shook his head. "nothing. i should go back and get my clothes." he replied, in a low voice. 

before i could respond, he pulled away from me and left. i felt empty. i felt cold. the overwhelming warmth i felt from his body and his touch was gone already. i stood there for a couple minutes, not moving. did that really happen? was i dreaming? i pinched myself like they do in the movies and i didn't wake up. i could still feel his fingers on my skin, lingering. i slowly unbuttoned the top, replaying him buttoning it for me over and over in my head. i took the skirt off and put everything back on the hangers. i pulled my regular clothes on, wondering what was going to happen when i walked out that door. i didn't even try on the yellow skirt or the windbreaker. to be fair, i had a little distraction that made me forget. i gathered all the clothes, took a deep breath, and opened the door. Eddie was leaning on the cart with his elbows, playing with the charm bracelet. i could see the tear stains on his skin. 

he stood up straight when he noticed me. "so, do you want to head over to the jewelry now?" he asked, scratching his head, unable to make eye contact with me. why was he acting like nothing happened? i walked to the unwanted items rack and hung up the yellow skirt. "yeah, whatever." i scoffed. i put the clothes in the cart and went to the jewelry section without waiting for him. i was annoyed as fuck. he followed behind me, pushing the cart. i got to one of the glass displays, and started looking down at the earrings inside of it, trying to see if i could find some nice silver hoops. he came up next to me, pretending like he was also looking for some nice earrings. "i like these ones." he said, pointing to a pair of silver drop earrings. "yeah." i said, barely giving him the time of day. he stayed for a minute and walked away to the men's watches. 

i immediately regretted it, but i was mad at him. i almost always have to force things out of him. it's like pulling teeth. i looked back at him and his back was turned. he was looking at the display, the handkerchief in his back pocket swinging lightly against his leg. i stared at him for a minute and then went back to looking. i ended up seeing a pair that were exactly what i was looking for. i waved the jewelry consultant over and asked him to take out the silver hoops i found. he unlocked the case, took them out, and placed them down in front of me. "how much?" i asked, turning them over in my hands. "thirty dollars." he said. "awesome, i'll take them, thank you." i replied, smiling. he nodded and i took them with me.