𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐗𝐄𝐃 [𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐱𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥]

19. Final Fiasco

"What..." Emily questioned softly, eyes widening in shock, as surprise and uncertainty was evident in her tone.

"I-yeah, I mean-" Monica managed, struggling to form words, and suddenly losing all of her previous confidence. She had never faced a situation as such before, and now it felt immensely overwhelming to talk things out, without fumbling or stuttering!

However, maintaining her composure, Monica continued, sighing-as she was determined to resolve matters today, without, messing up. She had waited and blamed herself for long enough, and she refused to bear the guilt of her mishaps, any longer. Although, what was actually driving her to voice her thoughts, was the irresistible crush that she had developed for Emily over the past few weeks, or even months-or even longer- she wasn't sure. She so badly wanted to get her growing feelings off her chest. And she hoped and prayed that after that great kiss, Emily would also reciprocate her feelings.

"I like you." Monica finally declared, after a long pause, gulping down the lump, that was begining to form in her throat- while her eyes never left Emily's. Monica prayed that Emily would just feel the same way and say it without making this even more difficult, awkward and embarrassing for her- you don't simply kiss people out of the blue if you don't like them!

"You what-? How? When? Seriously? You're not-You like me?"-Emily began bombarding Monica with incessant questions, frantically, not even waiting for an answer-as the frenzy was clearly visible in her tone. Eyebrows furrowed, Emily continued-" I can't believe my ears, I-"

"YES, seriously. I don't know how, when, what, I just did okay? You cannot interrogate me about it, Rhodes. You're the one who initiated this!"-Monica interjected, exasperatedly, pausing Emily's rambling. She took a step back, overcoming the latter's grip on her waist- that slightly tightened, refusing to let go, and retracted her hands that were cupping Emily's face. Monica, shut her eyes, and calmed down the nerves that were urging her to go off on Emily again, but she didn't. Instead, she looked back at Emily and suggested, flatly-" You know what? I think, I'll just leave-"

"Not happening." Emily quipped back, mimicking Monica's tone, whilst interrupting her, and taking a step forward, closing the distance between them, as Monica firmly stood her ground, eyebrows knitted . Emily was smirking and Monica wanted to wipe that off her face so badly, but she chose wiser than to go all violent on the girl she had just kissed. It would be utterly indecent of her to do so, she reminded herself to keep her frustration at bay.

"You don't get to tell me what to do!", Monica protested boldly, rolling her eyes, which elicited a chuckle from the girl standing in front of her. Monica glared at her in disbelief. If Emily was not going to respond to her confession, and laugh at her instead, then she might as well leave before she makes a greater fool of herself, Monica thought. After all she should have known it was all pointless. Emily was a jerk, and she just confirmed it again!

"Well, actually, I do ge-", Emily pointedly started but-

"How so?" Monica huffed, cutting her off.

"Because I like you dummy, and a lot, lot more." Emily admitted softly, at last. And with that she tenderly brought both her hands upto Monica's face, and caressed her warm cheeks. A soft smile gently formed onto Emily's lips and Monica, even in that moment of frustration and revelation, and might I say, satisfaction, wanted to ingrain that image into her brain and cherish it forever.

"Took you long enough to say that, dummy." The latter complained softly, as her eyes were beginning to glisten, with the confession, that she had been dying to hear all along.

"I can't be blamed. You look cute, all red and angry." Emily defended herself, chuckling at her excuse, as Monica grinned, and lightly shoved the former.