Town of memories

Chapter 7

I woke up laying on the couch. A soft wool-blanket was draped over my body and a pillow was placed underneath my head. I sat up and stretched. I was alone in the living room but I could hear the clattering of cutlery from the kitchen.

I slowly got up and rubbed my eyes, walking into the kitchen to see Christina standing there, preparing two cups of tea. "Hey, good morning...slept well?" she asked with a small smile on her face. I smiled back and spoke, my voice still a little raspy from sleep: "I slept really well...it was a good idea staying over" She smiled even wider in response.

We drank the tea and afterwards got ready for the day. While I was getting dressed, Christina stepped into the room and asked me: "Do you think this top suits me?" My eyes went over the top and I couldn't help but admire her figure. I always used to be jealous of it when we were younger but I've learned to love my own body aswell when I got older. But seeing her body this directly now made me feel...strange. "It looks gorgeous on you" I replied while awkwardly averting my gaze. She nodded and smiled at me and I smiled back. I could feel warmth creeping up my face. Why am I suddenly feeling this way?

I couldn't stop stealing glances at her for the entire day. I slightly shook my head everytime I'd catch myself staring at her again, hoping Christina wouldn't notice. Since it was Saturday, and neither of us had to go to work today, we went to the café as always. We sat across each other at the table and I looked out of the window the entire time, my head rested in my hand. My leg was nervously rocking up and down so I laid my other hand on it to stop it from moving. Or atleast I tried to do so. A small sigh of relief escaped my lips as the barista came by and noted our orders. I could feel Christina's gaze on me as I told the barista what I'd like to get. Why was she making me so nervous all of a sudden?

When we were back in her appartment I told her that I'll sleep back in my own home again. "Are you sure? You still seem pretty shaken up" she said with a slightly raised eyebrow. I shook my head and smiled slightly: "No, it's alright. Thank you so much for your offer though. It helped me a lot..." Christina nodded resigned and helped me get my stuff to her car before driving me back to my own appartment.

Before I could take off she suddenly wrapped me into a hug, startling me slightly but I quickly wrapped my arms around her aswell. I buried my head into her shoulder and took in her scent. She smelled sweet, of cinmamon and some type of flower I couldn't quite make up. She let me go and we looked at each other for a few moments. She then smiled a little bit awkwardly, completely unlike her usual calm and sorted self and I awkwardly smiled back.

I laid awake for a long time, staring at the ceiling in my dark room. Thinking about all the things that happened. Now I had two people that I couldn't get out of my head. My mother and...Christina. It's weird...how I suddenly don't feel as empty anymore whenever I'm with her. It's like she fills that void in my heart. And as I was staring at the ceiling a thought materialised in my head, a thought so sudden and unexpected I almost flinched at it. I like Christina. A lot.