Stolen Kisses, Pretty Lies

~Chapter 16~

I dragged myself into the girl's change rooms after running 4 laps too many of the courts. Every step felt like a huge effort, my chest heaving with every breath and my vision swimming.

I sat down on the bench and rested my head in my hands, panting. I could feel myself fading in and out of consciousness, and fear of passing out consumed me.

"Woah, you good Nine?" Reputation sat down beside me.

I barely looked at her, just shaking my head. The motion made my head spin, and every sound around me went muffled, like I was underwater, then- nothing.

——————

"Can you stop touching me?"

"I'm not meaning to."

"Well you keep shoving me!"

"Yeah, maybe cause it's a fucking tiny room!"

"Girls!"

Everything was so loud. So bright. I felt half dead, my limbs heavy and head numb. I opened my eyes and licked my exceptionally dry lips and groaned as I moved my head to the side a little.

"Nine!"

"See? You've gone and done it again!"

"Oh my god Reputation, grow up."

My eyes adjusted to the light and I made out two hazy figures standing over me. "Mid?"

"Hi Nine, how are you feeling?" her voice felt like silk to my ringing ears.

"Mm... shitty," I slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes. A plastic cup was pushed into my hands and I took slow sips, quenching my desert-like thirst. "What even happened?"

"You passed out," she placed a hand on my leg.

"Why don't you let the girl who was actually there explain, Moony," Rep drawled from behind my girlfriend.

Midnights rolled her eyes, and I suppressed an amused smile. She stepped back, and Rep leaned against the wall.

"You passed out."

"That's literally what I just said!" Midnights growled, exasperation dripping from her tone.

"Don't be a bitch, Rep." I sighed, my head pounding.

"Chill, seriously dudes. Basically, you fainted in the change rooms and I carried you here, got some strange looks, so people will probably swarm you after you leave this room."

"Lucky me," I sipped more water.

"1989?"

I looked up to the nurse, who was poking her head into the room.

"You'll need to go home after this, who should I contact to pick you up?"

"Uhh... my dad's on a work trip, so..."

"Well who have you been staying with while he's away?"

"Me. She's been staying with me," Midnights spoke up.

The nurse looked confused.

"At my house."

"Oh, shall I look up Midnights' parents then?"

"No!" I burst out, "I mean, no, its alright, Midnights is 18."

"Well I need a way for you to get home," the nurse replied.

"I'll ask my... cousin," I lied, slightly terribly. Fortunately, the nurse didn't seem to notice, and she turned back to her computer.

"Can we go now? I wanna sleep," I grumbled.

"Yeah, lets go home," Midnights offered me a hand to help me off the bed. I took it thankfully, leaning on her a little as I found my footing.

Once we'd escaped the very resistant nurse, we wandered down the halls together, exhaustion making me wish I was unconscious again.

"Theres no way you're walking home, what are we gonna do?" Midnights asked, her arm now curled around my waist.

"Dunno, but you guys have fun with that, I'll catch you later, Nine," Rep suddenly left us and headed off down the next hall.

"What? Oh."

A familiar pink-and-blonde headed girl stepped into the bathroom down the passageway.

Midnights scoffed, unsurprised.

"How are we gonna get home?" I asked, yawning through my words.

"I can just carry you," Midnights shrugged.

"What? No you definitely can't," I shook my head. I'd be too heavy for her, the house was so far away, I knew she was strong but lifting me?

"Why?" She raised an eyebrow. "You don't think I'm strong enough?"

"Midnights I'm not letting you carry me home! It's too far, and I'm too heavy."

"Nine, you're lighter than my bag right now," she squeezed my hand. "Let me carry you."

"No! I'll just walk, it's fine."

Midnights sighed and I yelped as I was suddenly in her arms.

"Midnights. Put me down."

"Or what?" She took my bag from me and somehow slung me over her back, my legs instantly scrabbling to wrap around her waist.

As embarrassing as it was, I couldn't deny the fact that my legs were getting a much needed rest. I huffed, making sure to show my annoyance, and rested my chin on her shoulder.

Naturally, I still worried about my girlfriend immensely, but these past days had been so good. Not that I would stop worrying.

Midnights walked out the school, and began to head down the road. We took the short way back, heading down through a small dog park.

"Mid, this is embarrassing," I groaned, "there are people!"

"I'll put you down in a sec, just chill," she chuckled, clearly finding the situation amusing. 

"Never in a million years," I muttered. "Whatever makes you happy!"

"So... you?"

"Gonna make me blush," I squeezed her in a sort of behind-hug with my arms.

"Am I lying?"

I giggle, "who knew you were so soppy?"

"Uhhh... not many people. One people."

"That people is the luckiest people in the world," I mused.

Midnights hummed and gave me a loving glance, exposing her rosy cheeks. I didn't mention it, but I knew right then and there that I adored it. I swore that every time I saw her, she grew more beautiful. Every day she was more confident, and we'd become immensely comfortable with each other.

The sun was out, the sky was clear and blue, and there was a slight breeze in the air. The streets were quiet and there was around an hour until school ended, so our walk was peaceful. 

Once we reached the corner a few blocks from my house, she stopped.

"I can put you down now," Midnights dropped one of my legs.

"No, I liked it!"

She barked out a laugh and picked me up again, and we continued walking home.

~~

Omg guys I can't wait for Taylor to wear the green/green 1989 combo! It's okay though, because I know it will be soon, and The Eras Tour is never ending!

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