Heart Me

14

They decided to use the stairs since Chris's apartment was just two floors above the one they were staying in. A heavy silence weighted on them, only their steps echoing on their way as they climbed step after step. Iris's heart sunk in a momentaneous despair as she thought the truth was going to change they way they had been tracing towards a reconciliation. But after a few steps, she felt his long fingers touching hers lightly as if searching for physical contact. Her head turned to look at him. His big greenish eyes gazing at her and at the same time, his fingers finally laced with hers, ending the desperation inside her chest and calming her panicking heart.

"I'm so sorry, Stone." Iris whispered, feeling her words deeply.

Stone stopped abruptly, one stepping stone below Iris who turned around, feeling how he pulled her arm as he halted. Their eyes locked once more, and her heart took off galloping again. Their hands remained united, and their fingers intertwined. He took a deep breath, and with his free hand, Stone took away his glasses and ran the back of his hands over both his eyes, one at a time. Iris said nothing, she just waited for she knew he was going to tell her something. So many years together, they knew each other's gestures by heart. Finally, he looked at her again. Glasses on his eyes once more so he could see her perfectly.

"It would be easier if it were someone else." He whispered; afraid vampire ears could hear from that distance though he wasn't mentioning anything compromising.

"But he's just someone else." Iris descended to be at his level. She leaned her body against his and ran her palm over his face. "He's just someone..."

"Really?" His voice choked a little and Iris realized how truly shaken he was by her confession.

"I swear." Iris vowed. "I don't feel anything for him. Anything at all."

"He doesn't look for you?" She shook her head.

"Do you want to go back to the apartment so we can sit and talk properly?" Iris proposed.

"No..." Stone answered. "Our girls are there, and they are waiting for us. They must have ordered the food already. It wouldn't be nice of us. Besides, I have barely been with Chris since I got here..." Then, he made a pause and took another deep breath. "Though I really don't know if I want to be with him now..."

"Stone!"

"What?" He curled an eyebrow and hushed as low as he could. "It's weird. I don't know how you can keep this secret from him? From Marlow? It's intense, Iris. It's not something to take lightly."

"I betrayed him..." Iris nodded, eyes on the floor that very instant, showing how ashamed she was. "I know... and I feel bad. I do... but I can't change anything." She looked at Stone again. "I owe you the truth above all. Unfortunately, I can't share this with them. I can't confess... you know I can't... they can't read me, and I don't think they can read Chris, but it's his father and who knows how he would react."

"I know..." He pressed his lips on her forehead. "Now, let's go."

Stone kissed her on the lips before they started going up the stairs again and again in deep silence. Iris knew he was reminiscing on the news, and she could perfectly understand him. She released a bomb. One that he was not expecting and dangerous. When they stopped in front of Chris's appartement, his fingers squeezed hers as they changed another deep gaze. They nodded at the same time, stating they were both ready and then Stone rang the bell. A huge commotion could be heard from the outside. Adults talking and children laughing and going from one place to another. They were playing catch for sure. Seconds after, they heard the lock turning and Chris appeared as he opened the door.

"Finally!" He exclaimed with his broadening smile stamped on his face.

"I'm sorry." Iris stepped inside as Chris gave them space to do so. "We were talking and lost track of time."