Crashing into new waves - a Wesley Stromberg/Emblem3 fanfic

Chapter 8 - To let go or not to let go

At the barbecue everyone is interested in hearing about Finland, I gladly tell them about our nature, the people and food. They are quite shocked about some of the things but there are always cultural differences. Wes' friends keep saying I'm the coolest European they've ever met but that's only because to most I'm also the only one. But it's great that they all like me and maybe I'll have more friends to hang out with during my stay!

Later a yawn escapes my mouth and of course Wes notices this. He leans to whisper in my ear. "You tired?" He asks while gently rubbing the small of my back. I look at him with sleepy eyes. "Yea a little, it's been an eventful day."

"Okay. I'll walk you back, I could use the fresh air." Wes replies. I nod at him and we get up.

"Oh you not leaving yet, are you Melina?" Drew asks sounding slightly disappointed.

I smile at him a little sadly. "Yeah I'm sorry, I'm quite tired but it was so nice to meet you all, I really had a great evening."

Keaton gets up and walks to me. "You wanna play with my xbox... with me... tomorrow?"

Everyone literally sighs out loud. "Come on Keats leave the poor girl alone." Drew groans.

I glare at him before focusing on Keaton whose face is red. I place my hand on his shoulder and squeeze it to gain his attention. "I'd absolutely love to since I don't have any other plans. Some point in the afternoon?"

His face lights up from the frown caused by Drew's comment. "Great! Come at any point."

I say my goodbyes and leave with Wes. We walk in comfortable silence until Wes breaks it. "So I was actually hoping to spend some time with you tomorrow but it seems my brother beat me to it." He chuckles trying to joke but the sadness in his eyes blows his cover.

I nudge him on the side. "Don't you start sulking on me now. There's more than enough of me for both of you." I say playfully.

He grins but still seems to be a bit disappointed so I continue. "Buuut I can see if my brother has time for me and if not, then we could do something. I won't have energy to play the whole day you know." I add. Wes' smile seems to be more genuine now. "Ok that would be cool, let me know later about it."

"Will do."

"Hey I wanna show you my spot. I go there when I don't have time go to the other one." He points at the high ground where I saw him for the first time.

"Well yea I suppose we can go there but then I need my bed otherwise I'll seriously fall asleep standing up. I'm still not used to this time zone."

We start climbing and Wes is constantly making sure that I'm ok and not falling down or anything. It feels nice that someone is taking care of me. At the top I gasp a little when I look at the view. It's absolutely gorgeous. You can admire the whole city with all its lights. "Wow it's really beautiful out here."

I flinch when I realize Wes is standing right front of me, his body radiating warmth. My heart picks up pace as he slowly lifts up his hand and puts a strand of hair behind my ear. "I think you are really beautiful" Wes whispers. His words cause a blush rise on my cheeks and my breath gets caught in my throat. He doesn't remove his hand but lets it linger on my face. It feels like everything is heightened and his touch is electrifying.

His hand on my skin is making it impossible for me to move away even though my head is screaming to run. I tear my eyes away from his and look down, his gaze is too hypnotizing and it's melting me inside.

Melina. You need to stop this. You need to leave, right now.

The voice in my head gives me enough strength to produce words but they decide to come out more weak and husky than I intend. "Wes.. I think I-I should just-" I don't manage to finish the sentence because my chin is lifted up and Wes has pressed his lips against mine.