Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 29: Brushed Fingers

POV: ENID

The room was quiet. Too quiet.

Despite how soft the sheets were and how ridiculously fluffy the pillows felt beneath my head, my eyes refused to close. My brain was buzzing. Maybe it was the sound of the ocean waves just outside our balcony, or maybe it was the fact that Olivia was sleeping a few feet away in the same room.

I turned to my side, then to the other.

Still wide awake.

I glanced at the clock. 2:13 AM.

With a sigh, I slipped out of bed, careful not to make a sound. I wrapped my arms around myself and stepped out onto the balcony. The ocean breeze hit me instantly — cold, salty, and fresh. I leaned on the railing, letting the quiet of the night press against me.

I missed home. Not in a sad way, just… the familiarity. The sounds, the smells, the small chaos of Hamida and Fatima laughing over silly things. This quiet was too loud.

"Can’t sleep either?"

I turned around quickly.

Olivia stood in the doorway, sleepy-eyed, her blonde hair messy and falling over her forehead. She wore a pair of loose shorts and a hoodie that looked way too comfortable.

I shook my head. "Not even a little."

She stepped out, barefoot like me. "The waves are too loud or your thoughts are?"

I shrugged. "Both."

For a moment, she just stood next to me. Not saying anything. Then she said, softly, "Wanna go for a walk? Might help."

I hesitated, but nodded. "Sure."

We slipped on our shoes and made our way downstairs, out past the lit poolside, and down the wooden steps leading to the beach. The sand was cool under our feet. The waves rolled in steadily, glittering silver under the moonlight.

We walked in silence for a while. It wasn’t awkward. Just… quiet.

Then Olivia glanced at me and frowned slightly. "Aren’t you freezing?"

I looked down at myself — I had only worn a tank and shorts, barely thinking about the cold. I opened my mouth to say I was fine, but before I could, Olivia pulled off her hoodie and gently placed it over my shoulders.

"Better," she said.

I clutched it, surprised at how warm it still was. "Thanks."

Her fingers brushed mine as we walked again. Once. Twice. The third time, I didn’t expect it when I felt her pinky loop around mine. I froze slightly, but I didn’t pull away.

Instead… I linked my finger back.

She didn’t look at me. I didn’t look at her. We both just kept staring ahead, walking along the shoreline like the night hadn’t just shifted between us.

Eventually, the breeze softened and my body started to feel the weight of the day.

"I’m getting sleepy," I mumbled.

She nodded, gently squeezing my hand. "Let’s get you to bed then."

✿⁠ 

When we got back to the room, the lights were off. I slipped into bed with her hoodie still around me, burying my face in the sleeve.

It smelled like her — that soft, fresh scent I hadn’t realized I’d memorized.

I heard her move around, probably settling into bed. I didn’t dare look.