Riptide Academy

I think I'm Falling

Charli's POV:

Light cascades through the blinds of my room. It's too quiet outside. I've been trying to go back to sleep for around ten minuets but to no avail, I just can't fall asleep.

I think it's the nerves for today. You see, our Grand final for interschool hockey is later this afternoon. And I'm shitting myself. We've worked our arses off for eight months to get to this point. Alex has somehow managed to improve even better with her goalkeeping.

Most would choose a tall keeper with sufficient skills or just a tall keeper in general. But. Alexandra is short, tall enough to be average height, and that gives her the advantage to be quick, nimble and faster on her feet. And I can't believe how high or how much power she can put into her jumps to reach the balls almost heading for the crossbar.

I don't feel like waking the rest of the house, so my breakfast can wait. And I'm not that hungry yet. My mind drifts back to last night. How Alexandra cared for me; how she offered to carry me to bed. I knew she was joking when she said I was 'too heavy' for her to carry. But I'm sure that wouldn't stop her from trying.

Someone's making noise. It's coming from the room down the hall.

"Alexandra's room? What's she doing awake?"

Before I know it my feet are padding across the tiled floor, carrying me to her room.

"Alex, why are you up?"

"Oh! Hey, Charli. Just panicking about today's Grandfinal. I know I shouldn't be but I just can't stop it!" Her voice sounds scared even in a low whisper.

And I cannot mistake the quivering in her tone or the shake of her hands. I slowly grasp her quaking hands in mine, gently rubbing circles over her the back of her hands as I bring them up to my chest. Her icy blue eyes practically glow with emotion's and stress as I regard them.

"You won't fail, Alexandra. I know. I know, because you'll do your best till the end, to the very last second- until that last siren sounds. You are the best goalkeeper I have seen and you've still managed to improv over the course of this season. You have the knowledge, you have the power to stop the shots on goal. But so what if one goes in? It's okay; not every goalkeeper can stop all and every single shot. We're going to make sure we limit the chances of that happening. I'm going to put Logan and Nikolina on a death run- meaning that their going to be your main half back and fullback for most of the game. The team is going to be playing mostly defense but when we see a chance to strike, we're going to take it. Full force. You have got this Alexandra!"

By the time I finish my little rant I only just realise that now I'm holding Alex by her waist gently but firmly and Alex is vice versa. Her face- oh god, her pink lips are so close- is so close to mine, all I would have to to is lean in and I'd be kissing her. A faint pink blush covers both of our cheeks as we just stand there, holding each other. At last, Alex decides to pull away.

But that's when I did something stupid. My mind went into autopilot.

As her right hand left my waist like a wave rolling off the shore, I grabbed it and spun her around. Tugging her back to me. My hands grabbed her waist and lower back to brace her. And before I could stop myself, I moved forwards. Closer. Closer to those lips.

It felt like eternity but at last my lips crashed onto hers to form a kiss.

At first Alex didn't pull away, she stayed. But after a few seconds we pulled apart.

"I-I'm.......sorry. I shouldn't have done that." I mutter.

My eyes drop to the floor. But as they reach it a gentle hand grasps my chin and tips it up as her thumb glosses over my lips. Alex leans in and kisses me.

"OH MY GOD! She's kissing me back. I kissed her. FIRST!"

"I thought you were going to stop saying sorry when you don't need to." Her voice is delicate and smooth. 

I think I might just pass out. First I give my roommate and friend a big ranting speech about how good she is. Then I kiss her. And she kisses me back! I can't help but realise over the last few months I've been craving her attention. Every time our skin would touch. It all sent shivers down my spine.

"I think I'm falling. I think I'm falling in love. Falling in love with you Alexandra."

Her hands are soft and gentle as they hold my hips. Like a ghosting touch, her hands are there but their hold is too gentle to tell if she's really holding me.

"I'm scared." She admits on a whisper as she leans into me.

I wrap my arms around her, her head rests in the crook of my neck.

"I'm scared too." I confess.

"But everything will be alright. You'll do great, I'll be there, Jaimie will be there. Even Elijah and Ember will be cheering from the sidelines. I'll make sure with Jaimie that everyone works their arses off in defense and attack to secure this win. You. You just have to make sure you do your best and give it your all today. Okay?"

"Okay." She mumbles into my neck after a few seconds.

I want to stay like this. Holding her forever, feeling her body within this embrace. To cuddle up to her......

"Alexandra. Come, I think the others are up." I listen out for any telltale sounds of people in the kitchen.

It takes a while but we slowly detach from our embrace.

"Alexandra, remember. You. Have. Got. This." I say before we leave her room.

"I think I'm falling. No, I know I'm falling in love. Falling in love, with you, Alexandra."

She may not know it. Heck, even I didn't at first. But she has my heart wrapped around her little finger.

Soz that I didn't upload yesterday (today's Saturday in AUS), I feel asleep after a big day of exmas and two days ago doing extra training before our grandfinal. WHICH IS TODAY!!!! And i'm freaking OOOUUUTTT!