Heavy is the Head

VII

Taraji opened her eyes to an empty bed that wasn't hers. It took her a few seconds to register where she was, but the beautiful crimson of the walls made her realize she was in Fantasia's room and bed. She didn't have to wonder where Fantasia was for very long as she was coming out of the bathroom and getting back in the bed. She laid down on her side, coming face to face with Taraji. 

"Hi," Fantasia whispered. Taraji examined the pretty face in front of her, and wondered just how long it had taken herself to fall in love, because she was there. She just didn't know when she had arrived. As she looked, she wondered just how deep Fantasia's emotions ran. They had only known each other for a week and Taraji knew that Fantasia wasn't used to being around people. She wondered if Fantasia really wanted her, or if she was confused. Taraji hoped it wasn't the latter, as she had been hurt before. She had been in a relationship with a boy from her private school for 2 years. She thought he was going to be the one she would marry, commoner or not. She found out the day of her junior year homecoming, that he had been seeing the son of one of their teachers at the school. She was devastated when she found out, and shut down for weeks. "What's on your mind? You're staring at me like you're trying to figure me out."

"It's because I am." Taraji brought her hand up to Fantasia's face, running a finger over her features. Fantasia smiled, scooting closer to Taraji. "You are so beautiful. You know that?"

"You tell me everyday, Raji," Fantasia giggled, rolling her eyes. Taraji sat them up, taking Fantasia's face in both of her hands, willing Fantasia to focus on her for a minute.

"But do you believe it?" Fantasia melted looking into Taraji's eyes. Aside from her parents, she had never met someone so sincere all the time. Of course she was told she was beautiful all the time by everyone in the palace and by her parents' friends. She saw the comments from people of the kingdom. She knew she was beautiful, but there was something about the way Taraji said it. It was like the other princess saw her differently than everyone else. Taraji made Fantasia feel like she was the most beautiful thing Taraji had ever seen.

"I do when you say it." The air between them became thick; a comfortable silence settled in the room. Fantasia wanted to kiss Taraji again, so she did. Fantasia leaned forward, pressing her lips against Taraji's. Taraji kissed back gently, letting Fantasia set the pace. Fantasia pulled away, Taraji chasing her lips for a moment, pecking the corner of her lips. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, pretty," Taraji said, sitting on her knees and propped up pillows, backing up to sit on the headboard. "Come here?" Fantasia scooted herself next to Taraji. "No, up here. Like straddle my lap." Fantasia did as she was told, settling herself on Taraji's thighs. She put her hands on Taraji's shoulders, not knowing what else to do with them or herself. Taraji wrapped her arms around Fantasia's waist, pulling them chest to chest. Suddenly Fantasia found herself overwhelmed. Taraji could feel Fantasia's whole demeanor shift and pulled back to look at her face, trying to gauge what was wrong.

"I'm sorry. I just... It's not like I don't like this. I really do, I promise. It's just that I just realized that I liked you this afternoon at lunch, and I don't even know if you like me back and- OH! Oh my gosh I keep kissing you without asking. I'm sorry. You've been so kind to me this week and we hardly know each other but I really like you and even if you don't like me I'd still want to be your friend because you're really awesome to be around and you make me feel so good about myself and it's like you understand me better than most people and I just-" Fantasia knew she was babbling but as soon as she started talking she wanted to get it all off of her chest.

"-Fantasia Monique David." Taraji held onto Fantasia's hips, squeezing slightly to get her attention.

"It's okay. Just breathe. I like you too, okay? You don't have to worry about that at all." Taraji's assurance soothed Fantasia instantly, and she hugged Taraji tight, breathing her in as much as she could. "I planned a night for us tonight because I wanted to tell you then. You just beat me to it, that's all. And you can kiss me anytime you want. I don't mind at all." Fantasia smiled, relaxing in Taraji's arms.