Chapter 15
I woke up that morning dying of heat. I was wrapped up in Gardenia, from her torso that was on top of mine, to her arm that's stretched out right next to my head, and to her legs that are intertwined with mine. The blanket was over us both, and I could see her hair sticking to the sweat on her forehead. It doesn't sound nice, but it was. It was probably the best way to wake up, ever.
I didn't want to wake her. I told myself it was because I wanted her to sleep as much as she could, which I do. But I think I was more frightened with how she would react when she ultimately did awaken. I carefully tried to kick the blanket off of our overheated bodies, trying to move my body as little as possible. With each kick, though, I felt her jostle. And she did, too, since her eyes slowly blinked open, looking around in confusion.
I awaited her reaction. I was expecting something along the lines of her shrieking, asking me why I'm touching her, or why we fell asleep or something. I didn't expect the smile that was on her lips.
"Good morning," she said, and I immediately smiled, squeezing my arm around her, welcoming whatever was happening right now.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty," I knew the nickname may have pushed it, but it didn't seem to when she just smiled bigger, resting her head back down instead of staring up at me. She moved so her body wasn't on top of mine anymore, but her head was still resting on my chest. My hand absentmindedly went up to softly play with her hair.
"I drooled on you," she stated, and I looked down to see a wet spot on my shirt.
"I don't mind," I hummed, twirling a piece of her hair around my finger. It didn't work out as I had hoped, since my finger ended up tangled in her hair and I pulled a bit too hard, causing her to wince. "Sorry," I mumbled, trying to get my finger out of her hair. She began laughing once it was removed, and I did too.
"Sorry I fell asleep over here," she whispered, resting her chin on my chest now so she could look up at me. And if that's not the most beautiful view I've ever seen.
"Don't be," I responded, smiling softly. I don't know what changed, but I didn't care. She was allowing me to show her affection, and so that's what I'll do.
Her finger began tracing lines over my white t shirt, just absentmindedly doodling, but it felt really nice. And we just laid in here, in silence, enjoying the company of one another.
For the first time since I've known Gardenia, it felt like we were something more than friends. It felt like she was allowing me to be, as if she finally accepted it herself. I didn't know if it was just temporary, or if it were permanent. I hoped for the latter, but I wasn't going to let myself worry about it. I was going to enjoy this moment for however long it lasted, and if it does end, I'll be patient and wait for another one to occur.
"Harry?" I heard her whisper, and I looked down at her again. She was looking down at her finger that was still tracing my stomach.
"Hmm?" I mumbled out, watching her carefully.
"Do you like me?" She asked, and I wasn't sure if she was blind, because obviously I fucking liked her. Or if she was genuinely curious, or if she was being insecure.
"Yes, I like you a lot, actually," I responded, moving my hand to her shoulder and rubbing it. She was wearing a tank top, and her skin was so smooth.
"But like, do you like me, like me? Or just like me?" The way she was wording the question sounded like the way a third grader would, but I didn't find it immature, I found it endearing. If you would have told me a month ago that the girl across the street from me, flipping her mother off and taking off on a motorcycle would be asking me if I 'liked her, liked her', I probably would have laughed in your face. Yet here we are.
"I like you, like you," I responded, without thinking about what her reaction would be. She's asking me a question, and I'm certainly not going to lie to her about the answer.
"I think I like you," she said, and my heart started beating just a bit faster at the words. I think she felt it, as she set her palm on top of my heart. "Your heart just sped up," she stated, her hand still pressing down onto it.
"That just proves my statement further," I answered, closing my eyes now.
I felt her hand grab mine, the one that wasn't currently holding onto her bare shoulder, and then I felt more skin as she held it up to her own heart.
"And this proves mine," she responded, and I could feel how fast her heart was beating.
I was about to respond, but then the door opened, and my mum came in, smiling as she saw us laying in bed with one another.
"Good morning, dears. Sorry for interrupting. Harry, honey, I'm going to the store and I wanted to know if you needed anything?"
I looked up from Gardenia, who looked like she'd seen a ghost. And I figured this would be the last few moments I got to hold her, so my arm squeezed itself tighter around her shoulders, savoring it.
"Yeah. Popcorn, with extra butter, please."
And then I felt Gardenia's arms doing the same.
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