Sorry, Not Sorry (Old version)

- 51

"Just tell me-" I say, feeling like I might scream as I take a step even closer to Max. "-if you'd like me to stop."

He doesn't say anything as I put my hand on the back of his neck, reaching his own fingers up to touch mine. "Well?" He says in a whisper, his eyes locking on mine "what is there to stop?"

I'm about to close the distance between us when he takes his hand off mine, cupping my cheeks with his hands as he pulls me in, beating me to it.

Our lips gently press together. I'd sort of suspected it'd be more urgent, rough. Anything I'd ever seen or read suggested that was normally the case. But I liked it like this...slowness. It seemed fitting for us.

My hands wrap over Max's shoulders his hands drifts to my lower back. Owls hoot in the night, the water runs around my legs and I'm kissing Max. I'm kissing Max. The most beautiful boy ever. And he's kissing me back.

And, oh my God, I've never kissed someone before. What if I'm terrible at this? I need Max to enjoy this as much as I am.

He slowly pulls away, his eyes opening to stare into mine. We sit there, just watching eachother, for a good minute before either of us speak or move.

Max smiles wide, "Xavier-" he begins.

"Sorry." I apologize, "I-I'm probably not very good at that... sorry." I go to take a step away, but his grip on my back tightens, keeping me close.

He laughs, "You're not the best," he says thruthfully, his eyes sparkling, "but it's more than enough for me."

I look away and Max smiles again. He chuckles to himself as he looks up to the sky. "I never imagined this would be how this night ended." He said with his hands still on my back.

"I had no clue." I whispered, so quiet I'm not sure he even heard it. I'm not even sure I wanted him to hear it.

We're silent for a second, before he grabs both of my hands and holds them between us. "Just so there's no misunderstandings, I really, really like you, Xavier." My breath catches in my throat as he stares into my eyes.

"I never knew." I said, squeezing his hands, "I thought my feelings were one sided."

"And I thought I was obvious." With how much he was laughing, it was clear. He wasn't lying.

We're silent for a moment. "What now?"

He looks back at our shoes, discarded by the bridge. "Inside?" I nod, starting to climb out of the water. Max follows, walking behind me as I go over to grab my shoes.

We both fix our shoes, before starting the walk back up to the house.

"Y'know, you look really cute today." He said. I flushed, looking sideways at him with a raised eyebrow. Is this how it would be, now? Him saying things I'd never have the confidence for and me blushing at him?

"Really?" I asked, clearing my throat. "Only today?"

He chuckled, staring ahead. "You know that isn't true."

I smiled weakly, feeling as if my legs were about to collapse. "Well," I said, "thank you."

"Thank you?"

"For saying I look cute."

The corners of his lips turn downwards as he keeps looking forwards. "Oh- you're"

"I'm teasing you." I say, my voice filled with love. "You're genuinely the-" I pause. "The hottest person I've ever met."

He raises an eyebrow, smirking. "Well, thats a relief." He pauses, "already moving on to the big words?"