Burning Red (Thomas Muller fanfic)

Chapter 8

I woke up feeling energized. Maybe dating would be a nice change? I quickly got up and checked my phone. I had a message from Thomas:

"Hey, I talked with James and you lucky girl get the day off. So meet me at our cupcake place in half an hour."

I texted him back asking how did he knew I was awake and the all too familiar Jane told me had appeared as a response.

"Alright, see you then!"

It was raining outside but even the rain looked beautiful to me. Who knows how crazy I looked to all the other people with that big smile on my face. Maybe today would be a new beginning? When I got to the café, he was already there, fidgeting with his sleeves. When he saw me, he started laughing.

-What, Thomas? – I smiled, making my way to him.

-You're literally the only person I know who is this happy when it's raining outside.

-Well I don't get why people don't like it. It washes everything and when it stops, everything is like brand new.

-Like a new beginning?

-Exactly!

We both smiled. 'Wow, Jane was right about the whole thinking alike.' It's so funny when someone tells you something, you've been taking for granted and then boom – you suddenly see all the little details.

-Thomas, you do know that if you keep stuffing yourself with cupcakes, Pep won't be thrilled.

-And it will be all your fault. – He stuck his tongue out.

-Why is it my fault?

-Because you just had to make that bet with me. Now I'm addicted to this place.

-Again, not my problem that you have no self-control.

-Said the girl who smeared a cupcake all over my face.

-Yeah, but you see that was fun.

-So is eating cupcakes.

I opened my mouth but for the first time I had nothing to reply. He smirked, knowing he'd won this round.

I was eating my last cupcake when Thomas pointed at the window:

-Look, it stopped raining.

I gazed outside and he was right. The sun was out and there was not a cloud in sight. It was so calming. I was just about to tell him that, but as I turned around he smeared a cupcake in my face.

-Thomas! You're so immature! – I yelled at him.

-Told you that I'd get you for that one. – He winked at me.

I glared at him and he quickly took a napkin and started wiping my face. Then Philipp's words came to mind – He just needs a little push. So I decided to act mad and storm out.

-You are such a child! – I grabbed the napkin and my bag and went out the door. He quickly followed me, shouting my name. I didn't turn around so he ran up to me and grabbed my upper arm and spun me around to face him. He had this sad look in his eyes.

-I'm sorry, Audrey. I didn't mean to upset you.

At that moment I just couldn't keep a straight face and I started laughing.

-Ha, got you! – I stuck my tongue out.

-Why you little... - He started laughing but soon faded to a crooked smile. His eyes were fixated on my mouth and my heart started beating faster.

-You have a little piece here. – Thomas put his hand on my face and rubbed the edge of my mouth with his thumb. I could feel my cheeks burning and I wanted to look away so badly, but his eyes were mesmerizing. It was like I was under some kind of spell. I couldn't take this tension any longer so I leaned in and closed my eyes. The next thing I remember was that there sparks everywhere. He kissed me with such passion that I thought that my heart will break free from my chest. It was amazing, flawless...perfect – just like him. When he pulled away, I could barely take a breath.

-Wow. – We said in union.

-Thomas, stop stealing my thoughts.

-You steal mine! Every time I think of something and you look at me and I can see how you're thinking the same.

-No you steal mine, because you smile when you look at me.

-Audrey, I smile because you're gorgeous.

-Oh...thank you? – I uttered.

-I'm serious, Audrey. You can make a room light up just by stepping inside.

-Well, it's all your fault. I can't stop smiling around you. So if I light up a room, it's all because of you, Thomas.

-Then I'm never going to stop smiling. – He laughed and then pecked my cheek. – Come on, let's go for a walk.

Thomas took my hand into his and they fit so perfectly. I blushed slightly but it was all so surreal to me.

-I hate to admit it but Jane and Mario were right. – I said.

-Well, I would have never had the courage to tell you anything, if Philipp hadn't had a talk with me about your feelings.

-Wait, what? When?

-Yesterday actually.

-That sneaky captain of yours.

-What do you mean?

-Well, he had a talk with me, too. Asked me if I liked you, because you liked me.

-Wait, let me get this straight. Philipp the "I'm-so-responsible" was playing matchmaker with us?

-I still can't believe it either.

Thomas stopped and started laughing.

-What's so funny?

-This whole thing. We are the serious and responsible people who think everything through and yet even that goofball Mario saw this before us.

-Maybe we just tend to overthink? – I smiled to myself.

-Well, from now on – we make the rules. And to think I didn't do anything earlier...

-What do you mean, Thomas?

-Remember how you told me I had no self-control when we were at the café.

-Yeah? And you didn't finish your sentence.

-That's because I wanted to tell you that if I didn't, I'd be kissing you already.

-Ah, who cares! You did it now. – I was beaming with joy.

-That's true, besides I didn't know that you were single. But Jane told me...

-About Michael? – I said with a pang of pain. – Yeah, I told her to stay quiet, but...

-Don't blame her, Audrey. I asked her and she didn't want to tell me anything but I just had to know. After our duet in the car, I started to think about it – you understood the lyrics and sang from the heart. I could feel you've been through something and I desperately wanted to find out. Besides I know she told you about Claudia.

-I didn't want to know anything from anyone else but you.

-So do I. Let's just get our exes out of the way now. Do you want to start or should I?

-Are you sure you want to talk about it?

-Audrey, think about it. That's the thing that held us back. I think the only way to finally feel free is just to be honest about everything and move on.

-Fine, I'll start.