You were still pondering this when Aesh, who had gone back to the house, returned with some blankets and outdoor mats.
- "We're short two mats," he declared.
- "Wait, I have two outdoor mats at my place. I can go get them," you offered.
- "I'll come with you and help," Tim suggested.
It wasn't really a suggestion, more of a statement, and you could tell from his tone that he had something else in his mind.
Leaving the others to start setting up, you and Tim walked together along the beach, back to your apartment building.
It wasn't exactly a dream, but it was probably for the same reason that you two didn't dance either.
Both of you felt like you had something to say but couldn't find the words to express it.
Eventually, the tension became too much for Tim, and he decided to break the silence with a casual question:
- "You don't know anyone around here? No friends or family?"
Although it didn't exactly lighten the weight in the air, the mood did feel a little more relaxed. You were somewhat frustrated but also relieved.
- "Apart from you, you mean?" This comment made Tim blush, though it went unnoticed in the dark.
- "Well... My family moved to England while I was away in L.A. for school and then work, so it's been harder to visit them."
You arrived at the building and started climbing the stairs to your apartment.
- "During my studies in Los Angeles, I met Madison, and on a university trip to France, we met Ezelmie. They're my best friends, but they also live far away. We talk often, and sometimes Madison visits for a few days. But yeah, sometimes the loneliness gets to me."
Tim was just gonna ask if you felt lonely, which made him blush even more. It seemed you and him couldn't help but fly around the topic you were avoiding.
You grabbed the mats and made your way back downstairs.
(You took the opportunity to show Tim how to exit via the first-floor window.)
After a not-so-graceful landing, you two retraced your steps back to the group.
You decided to play some music to relax a bit. You took out your phone, typed "Polyphia" into Spotify, and your eyes landed on the band's banner. It showed Aesh, Clay, Scott, and, in the center, Tim.
You looked Tim in the eyes, an expression of great surprise crossing your face.
- "Wait, you guys are Polyphia??"
- "Uh, yeah, we were hoping to keep it a secret around here... We came here to relax," Tim replied, clearly embarrassed, and moreover, with an expression of sadness on his graceful face.
You thought about it and realized that Tim probably didn't want to deal with an overly excited fan, especially since they had come to rest. You decided to keep your compliments modest.
- "Oh, cool, I like your music."
You had guessed right, as Tim, visibly stressed, suddenly looked relieved.
- "Thanks," he said.
After walking a few more steps, he added:
- "It feels good to get a normal reaction. Usually, when people find out, they get all excited and can only talk about fame, asking for autographs, and stuff like that..."
After another short pause, you responded:
- "Well, for me, you're like my brothers in heart."
When they reached the others, who were already asleep, Tim and you set up your mats on the sand and wished each other goodnight.
---
You were laying awake, lost in your thoughts. You couldn't fall asleep. You rolled over on your mat to look at the others and suddenly saw Tim, who had silently appeared beside you on the mat, his deeps eyes piercing through yours with an intense yet serene expression.
Surprised, you were about to say something but Tim spoke first:
- "I have something to tell you," he began. "You're really beautiful, you have a heart of gold, and you're an amazing person. I... (he blushed) I think I love you..."
He whispered the last part. You replied in the same soft tone, with a slight laugh:
- "You thief."
- "Why?"
- "I was gonna say that" you finished, pulling Tim into an intense hug while he kissed you.
You two stayed enlaced for a long time.
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I wish I was a tree...
~~~~~~~
Finally !
That chapter is clumsy a f but anyway.
If you liked that, please leave a comment, and I'm gonna be so happy !
