Trying to figure out what to do caused my chest to ache and burn.
"So you should leave." Nikki spoke softly after explaining to Brandon what consequences he and I might face if he if we were caught together. Rolling my eyes I flounce down onto the couch.
"You do realize my family is nothing like yours, right?"
"You're grandpa is exactly like mine."
"He's an old man who can barely stand on his own two feet, Nikki." My voice grew defensive.
"Well you'll see." She insisted, and the thought of her being right sent knives driving into my stomach.
"Nothing's going to happen." Im not sure if he was reassuring me or taking a note to himself, either way I didn't really mind, I just needed to hear those words from someone else besides myself. I turned to face him, and I pulled him closer, wrapping my arms around his neck, hugging him tight.
"Does anyone want cupcakes?" Nikki's voice broke the silence. "I'm sure you want cupcakes," she continued. "I'm going to go get cupcakes." With that she left the room. I'm sure she was using cupcakes as an excuse to not be a third wheel.
"You promise right?" I pull back from our embrace to look up at him, sitting on the couch next to him, I shift my body more to the side in order to face him, bringing both legs onto the cushion sitting in a criss position. I struggle to look him in the eye, so instead I just look down.
"Babe," I felt as he softly brushed a strand of hair from my eyes. "Look at me, please?" His voice was soft. Lifting my head, I look in his direction. "We're fine. I promise." Feeling feeling his fingers slipping between the spaces between mine, he gently squeezed in a reassuring gesture.
"I love you," I say softly, attempting to keep eye contact in some way. "So much." And with that I nuzzle into his chest, hiding my face.
"I love you more." He insisted.
"Oh my fuck," I looked up at him, holding his hands tighter and giggled. "No. I'll bite you."
"Do it." He smiled softly.
"Maybe I will," With that I felt my cheeks grow warm. Placing my hands at both sides of his neck, I felt his hands gently grip my waist as his lips met mine. Smiling against the kiss, I pulled him closer and felt his grasp on my hips grow tighter, and with that he pulled me into his lap; leaning in closer I bit down softly on his lower lip, tugging gently. One of his hands slowly slipped beneath my shirt and I couldn't help but to blush as his other was pressed to the back of my neck, pulling me in closer.
"Guys!" A shriek echoes through out the enclosed room, and a sharp gasps slips passed my lips, being startled I glance over my shoulder to find Nikki standing in the door way. "What are you doing?!"
"What do you think?" Brandon's grip loosened, and obviously he was growing annoyed. I nuzzle into his neck in order to hide my blushing face.
"When you guys are done fucking, button up your shirt and meet me outside," she spun around and made her way out of the living room into the kitchen. "We need to talk, asap."
"Is she always like this?" Pressing his forehead against my shoulder, I shake my head in denial, and stand to my feet. "She's just a bit edgy, I guess." I speak softly while slipping adjusting the hem the of my shorts; turning to leave the room, looking down at my shirt.
"My shirt isn't even unbuttoned." I call while making my way out.
Turning the corner, walking out to the front porch; the summer air was excruciating. Gas fumes from the street lingered around and caused me to feel light headed.
"So how was it?" Nikki turns to face me. Knowing exactly what she was referring to I cross my arms over my chest and clenching my fist to ease the ache.
"Nothing happened."
"Sure as hell looked like something."
"You know what," I sighed "fuck yourself." Nipping at the inside of my cheek.
"Looks like he's been doing that for you," sitting down, she leaned back in her chair, and both arms resting on back of it. "You're so shy. It's adorable, Jess."
"Sure." With that, I blush.
"He calls you Sylvia right?" Her grin made me feel uncomfortable. "That's cute too."
"Am I going to get any kind of answers from you?" Attempting to change the subject, I sit across from her, my leaning crossed arms on the glass table.
"Am I going to get any from you?"
"No." I quickly regret rejecting her.
"Then it's settled."
"Okay," I glance in her direction and sigh. "Every two questions I ask and you answer, you get to ask me one." I attempt to negotiate
"You're not good at this." She smiled and shook her head.
"Do you want details or not?" Starting to get persistent, I grow tense.
"No shit."
"Then how and why are you here?" The worlds slipped passed my lips in such a harsh manner my chest began to ache.
"Gee Sylvia," the use of my first name was very unnecessary in most situations, and never really bothered me but right now it made me want to crawl into a hole. "I thought you'd be happy to see me, I mean I am your cousin."
"Nikki," my chest began to sting as my voice grew sympathetic. "That's not what I meant, at all."
"Then what did you mean?" She stood to her feet. "I might as well leave." Crouching down, rustling through her bag that lay next to her on the brick path way. My entire body wanted to shoot yo and grab her and pull her into a hug but I knew that wouldn't help the situation. So I sat there, hoping she would calm down.
"You can't even look me in the eye and tell me to leave, you rather just sit and question me." Her voice grew louder as the tensioned built between us. I couldn't speak, knowing if I did I would choke on my own tongue, so I just watched her as she struggled to find her keys. "So you're not even going to try to stop me?"
"You expect me to stop you?" I could feel the knot in my throat grow bigger as tears formed in the corner of my eyes.
"I guess not." Straightening her hunched figure, she stood to her feet, throwing her bag over her shoulder letting it fall to her waist. I couldn't stand seeing her walk away like that, and I didn't know how to stop her, so I stood up and made my way back inside. The smell of cold air caused my muscles to tense up. Maybe I was only blaming the cold air on whole situation. I knew that I wasn't gonna hear the last of any of this.
Grasping Brandon's hand tight in mine, I allow his fingers to entwine with mine and slip between the spaces. His hands warm, and gentle. I looked up in his direction, and smiled softly. His free hand was pressed to my cheek, and his fingertips rest just below my jawline, pulling me closer, he caused our eyes to meet, and his danced back and forth as a flame. They seemed to be so expressive and sympathetic, so I kept contact as long as I could, but after so long I felt it; I felt that rush of anxiety grab me by the hair and sling me to the ground. My chest tightened up, my eyes losing focus on his. They shut themselves tight, it's a routine rather than a choice.
"I love you," his breath soft against my neck. "So much."
"I love you more." My voice nothing but a whisper as the right hand slips itself to the back of his neck, somehow pulling him closer than he already was.
"I will kill you." Knowing he was bluffing I smiled to his statement.
"Mhm, I bet."
"You don't believe me?" His smile as genuine as a newly cut diamond. Perfection was all I could see. I blushed and stared at the floor, and gently began tracing my finger tips against the back of his hand, his other locked tight in my left.
Humidity hung low, as did the forest branches, and clung to my skin. The hum of insects was calming. My muscles ached, and my tongue felt dry. The corners of my eyes blurred with lilac, which in time faded to a pale shade of white. Swallowing hard, attempting to keep from throwing up, I clench my fist tight, my figure quickly crouching down, my free hand buried in the earth, attempting to keep grasp something. Letting out a sharp breath, my body ached and my thoughts were clouded. Something caught my focus in the distance. Fog hung low, wrapping itself around her sleek figure. The smell of lavender lingered in the thick air as she approached. Her eyes glowed a light, radiant shade of green. Mesmerized. I slowly stood to my feet. Her hair long, framing her rather narrow face.
"Hello?" Attempting to address her, her facial expressions blank, not bothering to respond as she made her way closer. Feeling her eyes locked on my fragile figure, I kept my gaze focused on her dress. It's hem made its way to the ground, and danced with her hips as she walked, a slit exposed her leg, trailing to her upper thigh. Her complexion was pure and wholesome. My knees were glass. Making sure to not make the wrong step, knowing if I did they'd give way and shatter.
Arms length from where I stood, the woman's eyes locked with mine. I could feel the anxiety in my chest squeezing me, and wrapping me into its coils. She outstretched her hand towards me, like a gesture to join her. My body lost all sense of control. I didn't want to accept, yet slowly, my fingertips met hers.
