Querencia

Chapter Four

I hold my breath for a second, frozen. Then I whimper at how right it feels, kissing her back. I feel content simply being in her arms, the warm electricity prickling my skin, making my hairs stand on end.

She pulls away, both of us breathing shallow breaths, seemingly dazed.

"I asked you here because I like you. I've liked you since freshman year but you never seemed to spare me more than a glance and a few hellos. Senior year is around the corner and when I overheard you talking about what you were gonna do for summer, and senior year, and your future-I just knew I had to try find a way to be a part of it. I really like you Leah and I needed to know if you could feel the same." She rambles quickly.

I blow out a quick breath, shocked at her revelation. I turn and sit in a chair, my mouth opening and closing with words I can't seem to form.

She sits down next to me, "Say something...please."

"I always thought I was intimated" I mutter.

"What?"

"Whenever I saw you I always felt...something. Knots and nerves mostly. I was confused by what I felt so I chalked it up to intimidation of your status and personality." I look into her eyes "but then we actually talked...laughed" I swallow nervously "touched. And now I...I've liked enough people to know that what I'm feeling is..attraction, but...." I trail off.

"You've never been with a girl." she concludes gently, a small understanding smile gracing her face.

I just shake my head.

She tucks a stray curl behind my ear. "You seem overwhelmed, why don't you try and sleep on it."

"Don't know if I'll be able to sleep." I chuckle softly

She smiles and holds my hand, standing up. "Come on."

I let her pull me up and we walk inside, closing the doors behind us. We walk over to a LoveSac and she lays on it, pulling me after her. I lay next to her and she pulls a blanket over us.

We lay there in comfortable silence, looking at each other. For once my fast paced brain calms down and focuses on memorizing her every feature. The slim tilt of her nose, natural soft pink of her full lips, the light freckles I never noticed, and the golden flecks hidden in her emerald eyes. Admiring the angel in front of me, sleep comes easily.

. . .

A white light startles me from my sleep.

"Damn I forgot the flash was on." I hear a whisper.

I groan and wrap my arms tighter around my pillow, nuzzling further into it. I snap my eyes open. Since when did I have a pillow?

I look up and realize I have my arms wrapped around Ariella's waist, my head resting underneath hers, tucked into her neck, her arms around my shoulders. I sit up, waking her.

"Goodmorning." I hear a voice say in mirth.

I turn to see Sarah, Ryan, and Bailey smirking, Ryan holding a polaroid camera.

"You two look cozy." Ryan says, just as amused as before.

"Leah, why didn't you tell me you swung that way?" Sarah teases.

"Where's the photo?" I avoid Sarah's question. I know she's joking but she had just reminded me that I'm developing feelings for another girl, and that sends fluttering anxiety through my stomach, which only muddles my head further.

"Here." Bailey says handing me the polaroid.

I look at it as I feel a chin rest on my shoulder "We look cute." Ariella comments.

"Hate to break the love fest but your mom is blowing up your phone." Sarah says.

I stand up, handing the photo to Ariella, rushing over to my bag to grab my clothes "Shit what time is it?"

"Eleven." Sarah laughs.

I tug on my jeans and a baggy graphic shirt "Dammit I promised I'd grab the groceries on my way home."

"What's the rush?" Bailey asks.

I pull my bag strap over my shoulder. "My mom needs her uh medication."

I see realization hit Sarah "Right. Here let me help take the bags downstairs."

. . .

I close my car door after I load our bags into the back. I look over to see Ryan, Bailey, and Ariella standing at the entrance.

"Hey, can you double check that we have everything?" I ask Sarah.

"Why don't you guys help?" Ariella asks the girls.

They all nod and head upstairs, leaving me and Ariella.

"So.." I trail awkwardly.

"So." She echos.

"You've definitely given me a lot to think about."

She smiles, reaching for my hand which I accept. She leans in and kisses my cheek softly. Though I still have a bit to figure out, I can help but warm at the gesture.

She pulls away still holding my hand "Don't feel rushed or pressured, whatever you decide to do I'm here, even if you just need a friend."

I nod and smile, not knowing what to say.

. . .

"So what was that all about?" Sarah asks, placing a jar of peanut butter in our cart.

I shrug "What was what?"

We walk to the next isle " You. Ari. LoveSac."

"I don't know" I brush off, grabbing a loaf of bread "we moved in our sleep."

I go to push the cart only to have her hold it in place "Hey" she says firmly. "I was joking about the whole swinging the other way thing, but you know I would support you if you actually did right?"

"Can we talk about this at home please." I mutter.

She nods "What's next on the list?"

"Flavored toothpicks."