Mad For (completed)

Sixteen : Noah

UNEDITED
Tessa and I, sober, use washcloths to clean the batter off the marble counters. And allow me to tell you. Our kitchen is very large.

She doesn't talk much. Just nods when I laugh at something I say.

When we're done, I try to talk, but she won't reply. I frown. "Tessa, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lies.

I search her eyes.

She searches mine.

For a few minutes, that's all we do, stare onto each other's eyes. I move closer. And she backs up. I move closer, and she stops.

She looks up at me through her long lashes. I push her hair past her shoulder, eyes still on her.

My fingertips trail her shoulder blade, making her shiver. I smile at the effect I have on her. Slowly, I plant my lips on her forehead.

I hear her sigh in relief. She doesn't move. And neither do I.

I feel her slightly shiver. She puts her hands on my shoulders lightly, and pushes me away slowly.

"I think my parents are ready to leave," she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and walks out of the kitchen. 

After realizing what happened, I quickly follow her outside, our parents chatting. I walk up to her, she was waiting at the car.

"Um, I had a good time," she whispers.

"Me too," I say.

"Let's go inside Noah!" My mother calls. I sigh and walk away from Tessa, not saying another word.

***

Tessa

I swim rapidly. Back and forth. His lips, skimming mine, his touch.

I swim faster, not bothering for breathe. Kicking my legs furiously, my arms burning from the pain. My lungs screaming for air.

The way he held me, my back to his chest, when the police officer was searching for us. How his eyes would make me melt.

But then I think of Mark. I can't breathe. I swim faster, not caring that I couldn't breathe.

How he whispered in my ear,"Stay still." Over and over into my ear.

My vision is becoming blurry. My lungs give out. But I don't come up for water. I swim faster, still not going for air.

Faster. Noah's figure, perfectly holding mine.

Faster. Mark and how he slammed my head into the pillow, suffocating me.

Faster. How we just clicked.

Faster. Mark's breathe in my ear.

I turn, still not breathing. I can't see when I open my eyes.

Faster. Noah's smile.

Faster.

I seem to not stop. I still haven't taken a breath.

I see red. Red?

I close my eyes, falling asleep in the water.

***

"No, she was in the pool," I wake up to my mother's voice.

I look around, seeing dead flowers by my bedside. I frown and sit up.

"Tessa!" My mother squeals in joy. She runs to me and wraps an arm around me.