The Styles Triplets

Chapter 8

I could tell something was about to happen. The air between us felt heavier, charged with something neither of us had ever acknowledged before. Marcel's hand tightened slightly at my waist, pulling me closer, and my heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it. That's when I closed my eyes and our lips met.
Warmth rushed through my chest like fireworks igniting all at once. My fingers slid into his curls instinctively, tangling there as if I'd always known exactly how they felt. His kiss was hesitant at first — almost disbelieving — but then it deepened, growing more certain. At some point our kisses began to pick up pace. We moved closer, hands gripping fabric, pulling each other nearer as though afraid the moment might vanish if we let go.

This wasn't the quiet, shy Marcel I'd always known.

He tapped lightly against my leg, silently asking permission. Understanding immediately, I jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist as he steadied me against the wall. His kisses grew more urgent, and a soft sound escaped me before I could stop it.

I'd never experienced Marcel like this before — never imagined him this bold, this overwhelming. The contrast between the boy I knew and the one holding me now sent my thoughts spinning.

His lips trailed briefly along my jaw and down my neck, searching, learning. When he found the sensitive spot just beneath my ear, I inhaled sharply, biting my lip to stay quiet. I could feel him smirking against my skin once he knew he found it.
God Marcel why do you do this to me!

"Marcel?! Is everything okay in there?!" Anne's voice shattered the moment.

He nearly dropped me as I scrambled back onto my feet, both of us stepping apart like guilty teenagers, "Y-yeah mum, every things okay!"

We quickly got ourselves together and stood there just looking around. We avoided each other's eyes, suddenly fascinated by anything that wasn't the other person.
What was I going to say to him?!

Hey Marce, that was...really really great. And I think I might like you. I just never noticed until now. You're the guy I'm suppose to be with.
...no that sounds cheesy! Ugh!
When our eyes finally met, I opened my mouth to speak—

"I'm sorry, Alex."

The words hit me like cold water.

"Sorry?" I blinked. "Why are you sorry?"

"I shouldn't have done that," he said quietly. "That was... a mistake. A huge mistake."

Huge mistake?
"Oh," was all I managed.

"Can we just... forget it happened?" he asked, almost pleading.

My throat burned, but I nodded anyway. "Y-yeah. It never happened." I agreed sadly.

Marcel exhaled in relief that felt strangely painful to watch. Marcel nodded, "Good, now let's go back downstairs so mum doesn't get suspicious."

"Right."

We left his room side by side, the silence between us louder than any argument. The words echoed endlessly in my head.

Huge mistake?

----

Anne was finishing dinner when Harry walked through the front door.
"Oh, honey! You're home!" She exclaimed.

"Hey mum." Harry said joyfully and then looked at me in annoyance, "Hey Alex."

"Hi, Styles." I replied back with hardly any enthusiasm.

Marcel barely spoke, and I wasn't sure I wanted him to. Every glance toward him reopened the sting in my chest.

Huge mistake.