Pull Me Out

chapter 4: austins pov

"She talked today," I said. Katia nearly dropped the mug she was washing.
"She what? How much? What did you say?" Katia fired at me.
"She talked. Only a few words. Nothing really, she just turned, looked at me, cocked her head and then said a few sentences," I replied. I took a sip of my coffee and looked down. Katia was quiet, and when I looked up she was stating at me.
"She trusts you," she said simply.
"How? She doesn't know me."
"I don't know. She just looks at people and decides to trust them or not, and then she speaks. With me she speaks a few sentences a day. But she never speaks to strangers," Katia said, washing dishes again.
I yawned and then looked at the time. Almost three.
"I'm going to bed. I will see you in the morning," I said, hugging her. Quietly, I made my way up the stairs. I got pajama pants out of my bag and shut the door. After I changed and laid down, I heard faint tapping on the door.
"Come in," I said softly. Averly opened the door gently.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?" I sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed her hands. She was so little and delicate. I don't know why, but I felt like I had to protect her.
"Can't sleep," she said, softer than usual.
I moved over to the far side of the bed. "Lay and talk to me?" I asked. In the moonlight streaming in the window, I saw her blush and the nod. She came in and shut the door before laying down on the very edge of the bed, as far from me as she could get, but facing me.
"You can come closer," I said. I didn't touch her, because I wanted her to move when she felt comfortable. I wanted her to trust me.
"I don't want to mess with your personal space," she said. But she moved a little closer.
"Oh come here," I said, pulling her closer. Now there was only a few inches between us. She giggled and put her hands on my chest.
"Much better," I said.
"Yes," she giggled.
In a spur of the moment decision, I kissed her forehead. I felt her skin get hot under my lips and pulled away.
"Cute," she said. She sat up, and kissed my cheek quickly. Then, she laid back down, this time with her back to me, but she pulled my arm over her waist. I was just drifting off when I felt her move. I moved my arm so she didn't feel penned in, but she only turned over toward me. I felt her breathing stop for a second, then her lips touched mine.
I felt her smile as I kissed her back, smiling myself.
"Very cute," she whispered, her lips brushing mine. She kissed me one more time before pressing her back into my chest again. Soon after, her breathing evened out,  relaxed, and I knew she was asleep.
She just kissed me. Twice. She isn't scared of me. She likes me, I thought. With that playing through my head, I fell asleep.