Dogs & Pictures - Victoria Pelova

Chapter 29

I woke up thinking about last night and what was going on in my mind. It happened to be early in the morning seeing that my phone said 5 am. I couldn't go back to sleep especially seeing that Vic was right there beside me so I got up and went to the beach for a walk.
Thoughts continued running through my mind as I stood still on the sand looking at the sunrise.
I've been her friend for what feels like years but in reality, it's only been a few months. I've always had some kind of feelings towards Vic but I'm now realizing those feelings were not ones a friend would have for a friend. I felt something more and every time I think of it more often I assure myself that it's true. I do have real feelings for Vic that I can't deny even if I wanted to. What do I do when I go back to the hotel? Do I just play it off like nothing is different or do I confess how I feel? We're such good friends I wouldn't want our friendship to end just because I made a stupid mistake of telling her how I feel.
I went back to the hotel and at this time it was 6:30 am so it was still pretty early. I just went back to the hotel but stayed outside where there were chairs so I could still enjoy the view. I didn't want to stay in the room with Vic since I couldn't be able to sleep I wouldn't want to wake her up.

2 hours passed and I got a call from Vic asking me where I was. I told her I was just enjoying the view outside since I woke up early and I didn't want to wake her up. I had to look at her at some point and maybe eventually tell her how I feel... when the time is right.
We both got changed to start our day with breakfast at this restaurant Vic found online. After that, she wanted to start the list that she had planned for us.
"Okay. This is our first place on the list," Vic said excitedly.
"Wow. So this is Acropolis?"
"Yeah, it looks insane doesn't it?" She asked as we both were looking up at the huge citadel.
"Yeah."
"Alright let's walk," Vic said as she grabbed my hand pulling me to begin our walk.

The whole time me and Vic were walking I kept keeping my distance from her. Even if I didn't mean it on purpose I know was acting differently around her. I feel different since I now know I like her more than a friend.
Every time she tried to make conversation with me I would answer with the shortest thing I could say. I didn't show on my face that something was going on with me but I knew and she knew that there was something wrong. I didn't want her to be worried about me in this vacation she planned for me so the rest of the day I tried to make it seem that everything was fine. It was difficult to even look at her longer than a few seconds even though u would want to look at her for a lifetime.

After visiting a few citadels and museums we tried to find a cafe so we could get something to drink. Vic asked me if I could order the drinks because she needed to use the restroom. I already knew her order so I didn't even need to ask. There was a line so I had to wait a few minutes before ordering.
"Hello! What may I get ya today?" The cashier said with the most energetic voice I've ever heard. Well at least someone's having a good day.
"Hi, can I get a matcha latte with oat milk and an iced vanilla latte," I answered with a not-so-energetic voice.
"Of course! Can I get a name for that order?"
"Taylor."
"Well Taylor I think someone's checking you out," she said looking over to where the tables were.
Confused I looked over my shoulder seeing Vic looking at me waiting for the drinks.
"Oh that's just my friend Vic," I said with a casual smile.
"Really? With her looking at you like that? Whatever you say," she said giving me my change.
"Thanks," I said ignoring her comment and turning around to sit with Vic as we waited for our drinks.
A few minutes later we left the cafe drinking our coffee and matcha. My thoughts went back to what the cashier said about what Vic thinks of me. This can't just be confirmation that maybe she does like me back. If that were true then it would be way easier to tell her my feeling for her. It pains me to hide these feelings inside but I cannot- I do not want to ruin our friendship-.
"Taylor? Hello? Taylor?" I heard Vic say touching my shoulder.
I looked at her getting out of my trance.
"Huh?"
"I asked why you hadn't taken any pictures. I would assume you would be taking a lot. Especially since we're on vacation."
"Oh right. I'm not sure why either but I'll take some now that you reminded me," I replied with a faint smile.

The rest of the day I didn't take as many pictures as I should've but I was too focused on Vic in my head. I couldn't look at her that often but I was thinking about her all the time even though she was right there with me.
It was time for dinner and we were both so hungry since we skipped lunch. We walked all day so we were exhausted as well. I told her I didn't want to go out anywhere too fancy and I guess she understood that to be a burger joint I wanted to go so we went there.
"Great choice to eat burgers. This is do good!" Vic shouted.
Laughing at her stuffing her face with the huge burger I said, "You picked to eat burgers, I just wanted to go somewhere they didn't serve caviar."
"OK fine. I made a great choice choosing burgers! Happy?" She said sarcastically.
I rolled my eyes and then took a bite out of my burger. I noticed Vic staring at me as if she was about to ask me something serious. I was right.
"Hey. Can I ask you something?" Vic said as I just finished eating.
"Sure."
"Do you want to be here? In Greece? If you're not enjoying it I understand and we can leave... if you want?"
"What? No why would you think that?"
I answered Vic as if I was confused but I knew exactly why she told me that.
"You have just been acting different. Like you haven't been taking pictures or laughing as much as you would or even looking or talking to me and you do that all the time. Is it something I did wrong and if it is, let me make it up to you."
I looked at Vic and I wasn't sure if I could keep it a secret even though I've only started to realize since last how I felt. I knew eventually she would know something was wrong.
"Vic. I have to tell you something."

Authors note:

Hello guys! I'm so tired but I know I had to finish this chapter since it's been a few days since I posted. I'm super upset about Victoria's ACL injury but I do wish her a speedy recovery 💗 also thank you to everyone who has been reading and who has been patient!