Secret Crush

2

Kristie

I am trying on some dresses.

I really wanted to look good tonight. The warm welcome that was given to me earlier today is nothing compared to see her again. Syd is sitting on my bed, rolling her eyes every two seconds. She just told me we are going somewhere fancy, so I have to dress up really good. I try a fourth dress - it was red and very tight, and look good on me it seems - and finally look back at Syd, who is smiling.

"So..." I let out. "Who's coming to that surprise of yours ?"

Syd jokingly shakes her head. You shouldn't have asked, I think, punching me from the inside. Of course she knows.

"Don't worry, your girlfriend will be here" Syd lets out.

I think my face just turns into a tomato, because it makes my friend burst into laughter. I try to hide my discomfort.

"She's not my girlfriend" I argue.

"Of course she's not. You're too much of a chicken to tell her how you feel !" Syd exclaims.

When she sees my death glare, her smile fades. She knows it's an important topic for me. She apologizes and tells me it's time to go now.

I've been in love with Steph as far as I can remember. She's always been the person I care the most about, and also the one person that always has been here. Before my departure, I was trying to convince myself that I didn't care that much, that I didn't like her this way. But she isn't my sister. She is something else than this, and now it's crystal clear. I only told Syd, because I can't afford Sam throwing the raw meat on the floor.

The thing is that I'm two years older than her. It's not a problem. But I've always been so protective of her, and people are now wondering if I might like her this way. I just don't want people to know about how I feel. I don't want Steph to know, because it might ruin our friendship forever. And I enjoy hanging out with her. I absolutely need her around me, even if I have to pretend.

Syd starts the car. We've been friends for a very long time too. Here, all kids know each other, and if you're not very much liked, well, there is no way you'll be liked one day. It was the case for Steph some time ago, but as soon as I became closer with her, I did my best to involve her everywhere, just so that people know they shouldn't mess with her because she's part of my squad.

Speaking of which, Sam and Steph are waiting for us in the sidewalk. Syd parks the car not far from the entrance of the party, and we head in their direction. She didn't go softly with that party. She rented a whole damn cottage by the Mississippi river, a little bit outside of the city. Syd knows it's my favorite place ever.

After hugging my sister, I pull Steph closer to me. As her head is resting on my shoulder, I whisper in her ear :

"I'm glad you're here".

Okay, maybe my tone is a little bit too seductive. But Steph would not notice, because she never does. She holds me tighter, and I feel my heart flicker.

"Me too. Now, go and see your guests !" she ordered.

Even if I didn't want this moment to end, or even leave her side, I let her go and smile at her. Syd drags me inside, where the party already began.

***

After a few hours, I begin to feel a little dizzy. I know I drank too much, so I decide to go outside a little bit. I want to find Steph, but she's nowhere to be found.

As I reach the bank of the river, I just sit on a rock. Syd probably is looking for me, along with Sam, but I don't want to move. That's when I felt a presence next to me, and a body sitting on the same rock than me. I don't even need to look up, because I recognize her natural skin parfume. I start to smile, and I don't really know why, but I let my hand running down her arm, that is very close to my leg.

Steph looks at me, shy like she always is.

"You okay, Kratchet ?" she asks me in an almost whisper.

"Better now that you're here" I say innocently.

She doesn't seem to notice my nervousness. It appears as soon as she's around me, but I became good in hiding it from her. She doesn't look away from the river when she asks me in a warm voice :

"So, tomorrow's my birthday, and Car is organizing a little something. You're invited." She then looks at me when she doesn't get her answer right away. "I-I mean, you don't have to. It'll probably be lamer than your party, but you know it's-"

"Of course I'll be there" I cut her, smiling at her. "Hope already told me."

We catch eyes, and my heart misses several heartbeats. Her green eyes probably are the most valuable things in my entire life. They are like two beautiful emeralds that people could steal from me if they wanted to. When she giggles, I just hold my breath. God I missed that sound, and this feeling is even stronger when I'm drunk.

She looks down at my hand, that is still caressing her arm.

"I'm glad to hear it." she says.

There is a little moment of silence, before Steph suddenly says :

"Oh, I completely forgot, but Syd and Sam are looking for you everywhere. We should probably go back."

I nod.

"Can you help me ? My legs are so heavy." I lie.

Of course I could've walked. But if I did, she wouldn't have wrapping an arm around my hips, or even hold me that closer to her body. I just enjoy the feeling of her embrace while it lasts, cursing myself for being in love with the only person I can't have.

But I am smiling like an idiot anyway.