The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 46: The Beginning of Real Love

The cool night air lingered as the group slowly began to part ways, the celebration winding down to its inevitable close. I stood in the park, watching as Brooke, Sylvia, and Aaliyah said their goodbyes, their voices ringing with laughter as they headed off into the night. I waved at them, feeling a warmth in my chest as their cheerful sounds faded into the distance. The park around me grew quiet, the familiar chirping of crickets and the rustling of leaves filling the silence that followed. The stars had fully emerged now, tiny glimmers of light piercing the deepening sky, casting the park in a soft, ethereal glow.

Marie stood beside me, arms crossed against the slight chill in the air, her expression thoughtful as she watched the others disappear into the distance. The two of us had chosen to linger, a shared reluctance to leave the magic of the evening behind. Although we hadn't spoken much since our friends had departed, the silence between us felt easy, almost comforting. Still, there was an undeniable tension hovering just beneath the surface—something unspoken but deeply felt.

I glanced at Marie from the corner of my eye, my heart racing for reasons I hadn't fully acknowledged until now. It was strange how the night, filled with light-heartedness and laughter, had ignited feelings I hadn't expected. The connection between us had been building for some time, simmering beneath our playful banter, but now it felt like a slow burn, threatening to ignite.

Marie caught my gaze and smiled softly, a playful glimmer in her eyes that made my stomach flip. "You seem deep in thought," she teased gently, nudging me with her shoulder. "What's going on in that head of yours? Plotting world domination or just trying to figure out what to do about that slice of cake waiting for you?"

I smirked, feeling the warmth of her body brushing against mine. "Nah, just wondering if I should make a run for it before someone drags me into another round of terrible karaoke," I shot back, my dark humor bubbling to the surface. "Or worse, be the target of Sylvia's flirtatious stares again. Pretty sure she's got a secret agenda to steal my soul."

Marie laughed, her eyes lighting up in a way that sent a jolt through me. "You know, I wouldn't mind if you went missing for a while. Might make the world a little more interesting."

With a teasing smirk, I leaned closer, our shoulders brushing again, this time lingering a little longer. "You'd miss me too much to wish me away. Who else is going to provide you with this level of sarcasm?"

Her laughter faded, replaced by a more serious look, her eyes searching mine. "You're right. Maybe I'd just have to do karaoke by myself, and that would be a crime against humanity."

I hesitated, my thoughts swirling like autumn leaves caught in a gentle breeze. I wasn't sure how to articulate what I was feeling. It was new and raw, the vulnerability it required frightened me in a way I hadn't felt in a long time. But I also knew that if I didn't say something now, I might never get the chance.

"Just thinking about everything," I admitted, my voice quieter than usual, almost hesitant. "Tonight was... incredible. I never expected to feel so... included." I shot her a sidelong glance, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on us, something unsaid lingering in the air.

Marie turned to face me more fully, her expression softening in the moonlight, the way the glow danced across her features. "You belong with us, Dylan. You've got a place here, with me."

There it was. The truth hanging between us, waiting to be spoken aloud. My pulse quickened, and my chest tightened under the weight of what I wanted to say next. I had been holding back for so long—afraid, unsure, not wanting to risk ruining something so precious. But standing there, bathed in the quiet glow of the stars, with Marie looking at me as if I were the only thing that mattered, I realized I couldn't keep running from my feelings.