Because of Her | a wenclair story.

part 7; woe's intricacies.

After the kiss came more passion, the sheets covered us as we learned every line of each other's bodies; every feature, both eager with curiosity. The night stretched into morning and soon, I was too drowsy to keep my eyes open. I slept, my body exhausted with bliss, her arms were around me and I slept deeper than I had ever.

I didn't know how long after, but when I blinked away the sleep again, the rays of the sun already glared bright through our windows. I squinted but caught Enid's growing smile through my lashes, she was watching me. I curved mine in greeting as well. "Oh thank god," she sighed as she leaned in to press a kiss on my forehead. "I was worried you'd change your mind when you wake up."

"What would I change my mind about?" I stretched, my limbs ached from being bent and grabbed so often the night before, and were glad to be extended. My tone was careless, laced with weariness.

There was a small pause. "About me. About being with me like that," her voice came out low.

At this, I turned to her; the sleep had disappeared from my eyes. "Enid," I began and she smiled, reaching for my hand. "Last night for me was as special as it was for you. Maybe even more. I'll never change my mind about you."

At this, her smile widened. She brought my hand to her lips, "I can't believe this is finally real."

Then, she lifted to sit; she held the blanket to her chest. Her bare shoulders were exposed, and I drew her figure in memory; every curve and line, her beauty forever etched in my brain. How had I not noticed her in this way before?

Then, I quickly realized I, too, was bare. Sheepishness covered my cheeks in crimson and I held the blanket over me tighter. A grin tugged at her lips. "Well, come on," she began. "We've to shower, we already missed two classes."

"Yeah," I choked out. "Um, you go first." My voice was small.

"Come with me." I wondered how she could be so confident, I admired this about her.

"But I'm, uh."

Her brows knotted for a second, but a grin spread on her cheeks once she realized what I was shy about. "Wednesday, I've already seen all of you."

"Shut up," the crimson had now spread to my entire face; I felt warm.

At this, she chuckled and leaned toward me. I felt her puckered lips on the tip of my nose. "And here I thought you'd go soft for me."

"Never," I furrowed playfully, my voice was smaller than before and she grinned at me.

When it was my turn to shower, Enid giggled in amusement as I made her sit on her bed, facing away from my side and with her earphones on. "You weren't this shy last night," she teased but obliged. After, she was glad to look at me again; another kiss was planted on my forehead, and we walked to classes together. We were late by 15 minutes already.

During classes, I found myself wishing the time would pass faster; eager until nightfall. However, the clock seemed sluggish and dull, mocking my eagerness.

"You know, the more you stare, the slower it's gonna seem."

Xavier was sketching something, he didn't look as he spoke. "What're you anticipating anyway?"

"What're you drawing?"

There was a slight chuckle; almost a shy one. "Just something for Bianca. Now you answer my question."

"Just, want to see Thing."

"Thing, really?" He had his brows raised and amusement laced his tone, he didn't seem convinced. I nodded nevertheless and he didn't ask further, only nudged his sketchbook towards me. "You think she'll like it? It's sort of an apology, too, for being a dick to her last year... We had a long talk over the holidays."

I nodded again. "I think she'll love it." He had drawn her, even I was captivated by his talent. He drew me once too, I didn't like that as much as I liked this.

"Thanks."

He returned to his craft and I to stare at the clock.

When classes ended, Xavier insisted we walk to Fencing together. Fencing, where I will see her again, I miss her deeply as if it hadn't been mere hours since I saw her last. My mind raced, eager to see her again. I was thrilled, heart satisfied I was able to now name those emotions I felt. All because of her.

When we walked in, per usual, she was searching the crowd. This time, I caught her first. Her gear was already on, she looked smaller in them. When our eyes met, hers lit up; turning to crescents brighter even than the stars. With quick steps, she caught up to me, her arms slightly extended as if to hug but, by pure instinct, I stepped back.

A flicker soaked her brown eyes, I knew that look. It was disappointment, sadness even, and a pang of guilt struck my chest.

"Thought you two were behind the no-hug phase." Xavier interrupted, and I tore my stare from her eyes. It was not as though I didn't want to hold her, I had waited all day to. Hugging her in front of all these eyes was what unsettled me.

"Thought so too," her voice carried hints of sadness only I could detect. "But that's Wednesday for you." Then she smiled, and my anxiety-wrecked heart blushed with relief. Perhaps she had caught on?

Fencing prolonged for longer than anticipated, the sun had begun to sink and dispersed colors of its beauty as it did. We paused then.

"We'll leave first," Enid spoke for me often, but would not decide things for me. But, I was too tired to object; the class had already minimized to a few students who'd leave soon anyway.

The halls were almost empty, kissed with the golden rays of the setting sun and so were our skins. Enid, I glimpsed, softened in the golden hour, her features glistened and the smile she wore seemed brighter. When she noticed my gaze, her smile grew and I didn't realize when I returned it. We walked in silence, a comfortable one. But I would've filled it if I didn't feel my heart hammering against my ribs, threatening to break; all because her pinky was intertwined with mine as we walked.

"Thing's home, right?" I murmured, getting our door unlocked and stepping inside; before I had gotten an answer from her, I felt her arms around my waist, her chest on my back, and a kiss being pressed on the back of my head. The thud of the door closing sounded. My head spun and warmth shot through me, I had turned to look at her then, still in her hold. "Sinclair, you startled me."

"I've missed you." There was a flicker in her eyes. One I had noticed countless times before. Her hold had no strength and she looked weary. Her cheeks felt warm on my palms, alarmingly warm. "'M tired, and I missed you."

"Tired? I think you're unwell." I brought her forehead to mine and found how warm she was all over, it was prominent, even from her eyes, if I had looked a little closer. "Enid." She drooped against my hold gratefully with her eyes closed, our voices never exceeded a mumble. "Let's get you to bed."

Enid appeared to have used the last bits of her strength fencing, as when I carried her to bed, she plummeted immediately and refused to let go. So, I knelt by the bed as she sat and held her to my chest, where she rested her cheek; listening in on my hammering heart. Her arms loosely coiled around my waist and mine around her head, she fit in my arms like a hand cupped another; perfect for one another. Her breathing was shallow and my heart swelled with worry at how vulnerable she seemed. However, I was lost on how to assist her. I had never encountered this before.

There was a stillness in the environment, clearly reverberating the sound of fingers meeting the oakwood floor as they got closer. Thing. He hopped onto the bed, next to Enid. He gently caressed her back.

"Hi, Thing," Enid mumbled.

"Where have you been?"

"Here," he began to sign. "I've been here long enough to notice your girlfriend hasn't eaten anything since yesterday after her call with her mother."

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this story will be heavily edited shortly, but I didn't want to go long without uploading another chapter for you! So, vote, and comment if you like <3