Before The Storm

Chapter 18

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, warming the room. I stirred awake, blinking against the brightness. As I turned, I felt the weight of Cole's arm draped over me, his breathing steady and deep. Memories of the night before flooded back, and a smile tugged at my lips.

I shifted slightly, trying not to wake him, but his grip tightened around me. "You're awake," he murmured, voice rough with sleep.

"Yeah," I replied, still feeling a little shy about the intimacy we'd shared. "What time is it?"

"Too early," he said, cracking one eye open to look at me. "I wouldn't mind sleeping in a bit longer."

I chuckled softly, enjoying the moment. "You're not usually one to sleep in, are you?"

"Not when it comes to boxing or chasing after you," he teased, his smirk making my heart flutter.

We lay there for a moment, but then I felt a wave of anxiety creep in. "What now?" I asked quietly, unsure of what this meant for us.

Cole propped himself up on one elbow, looking serious. "We talk. About everything."

I nodded, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. "Okay."

I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I searched Cole's eyes. "I just... I'm nervous about what this means for us," I admitted, feeling a mix of vulnerability and hope.

He leaned closer, his expression softening. "I'm not going to force you into anything, Maddy. I want you to be sure."

"It wasn't just a random hookup for me," I confessed, the words tumbling out before I could think twice.

Cole's gaze held mine steadily, the weight of the moment heavy between us. "It wasn't for me either. I like you."

My heart swelled at his honesty, but with it came a wave of uncertainty. "So, where do we go from here?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, the fear of what lay ahead creeping in.

He considered my question, his brow furrowing as he thought. "Let's take it one step at a time," he suggested, brushing a stray hair from my face. "We can figure this out together."

"Together," I echoed, the word feeling both comforting and terrifying. I shifted slightly, trying to gauge his reaction. "What if we end up making things more complicated?"

Cole sighed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Life is complicated, Maddy. We're already in the middle of it. Might as well navigate it together."

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, the tension easing just a bit. "Okay," I said slowly, "but no promises, alright? I need time."

"Time is what we have," he replied, his tone serious but reassuring. "I'm here for you. Just... don't shut me out."

I nodded, feeling a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. Maybe this could be the beginning of something real, something worth holding onto. As we lay there, the morning light streaming in, I knew that whatever came next, I wouldn't have to face it alone.

I looked up at Cole, a playful grin spreading across my face. "What about a morning swim before school?"

Cole raised an eyebrow, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Sure, why not?"

We headed to the pool, the cool water refreshing as we dove in. I could feel the tension from the night before melt away with each stroke. When I surfaced, Cole was right there, and before I could think, he leaned in and kissed me, the water around us sparkling in the morning light.

After a quick shower and change, we headed to school, and as we walked in together, I spotted Jamie leaning against the lockers.

"Hi, Mads!" he called, his smile bright.