Emerald Cove

Chapter 12

Charlotte's POV

I rolled over in bed searching for Katherine's warm body. I groaned when I found nothing except for a cold empty bed. I heard her snickering from across the room.

"Looking for something?" she asked and I felt the bed dip slightly as she flopped down on it. "Or should I say someone?"

"Where'd you go?" I whined snuggling into her side as I entwined our legs. "I missed you."

"Someone is feeling clingy," she said as she kissed all over my face quickly. I retaliated by tickling her. Before long we were both laughing and holding each other close to keep the other from having enough room to continue tickling. "I like this," she stated simply.

This? I still don't know what this is. Its been several months since 'this' started. We are a little over a week away from Christmas. Our relationship hasn't really changed much, if you over look the kissing, snuggling, and daily make out sessions. She's never pushed me further than making out. Part of me was grateful and part of me was respectful. We've grown closer as friends and even though we haven't defined what 'this' is, we both seem to be content with whatever it is. I was too afraid to push her to define what this is. Maybe in defining us she would discover things she didn't like about herself, or about me, and then push me away.

I brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead lightly. "Me too," I whispered, "I don't want you to leave." I pouted.

For months now we have been inseparable and with Christmas holiday we haven't spent more than a few moments apart for the last week. However, tomorrow Katherine is flying with her parents to some ski resort for their Christmas vacation. Her parents they love me. Of course they do not know what we are. We don't even know what we are. They invited me to come, but I declined. This is the last Christmas before I leave for college and though I know I will come back, I also know that things will change. Call me crazy, but I'm desperately trying to hold onto what little childhood I have left.

"Don't fret, love. I will miss you also and trust me I'd much rather be here with you. It's only for two weeks. I'll be back in time for New Years," she said sweetly. "Oh! Speaking of Christmas, I have ypu a present!"

She finished with a small squeal and jumped out of bed running into her closet. She came running back with a small box.

"I know you said you didn't want to exchange gifts, but I couldn't help myself. Here open it," she said shoving the box in my hands as I sat up in bed.

I opened the box to see a necklace with a heart pendant on it. It was beautiful. I pulled her into a tight hug. "Thank you so much. I can't believe you got me something after we both agreed," I said as I punched her in her arm.

She laughed and pulled both of my hands into her lap. "Charlotte, I have really have enjoyed the last few months," she said nervously. "I gave you this because I wanted you to have my... to have my heart. I don't know what is going on between us. I don't know if this is some sort of experiment for you. For me... but for me... Charlotte, I'm falling in love with you."

I was speechless. Katherine is in love with me? I have been head over heels in love with her since before I realized it that day on the sandbar. Now she is telling me she's in love with me?

"Look I didn't mean to scare you," she said with defeat.

I took her chin in my hand and tilted her face back up so that I could look her in her eyes. "Katherine, I'm not in love with you," she tried to pull away. "No. Look at me. Katherine, I'm not in love with you... I love you. I have for a while now. I gave you my heart that day on the sandbar. This thing that we are doing... Katherine, will you be my girlfriend?"

By the time I finished we both had tears in our eyes. It was her turn to be speechless. "I love you," she finally said as she kissed me deeply. "When I get back I'm taking you on a proper date."

The next morning she left. I was terribly sad that I wouldn't see her for 14 days, but at the same time I found peace in knowing that she is mine. She called me every night before bed and we would talk until sleep overcame both of us.

The days passed slowly by. I spent time with my family. I passed time by helping momma cook and bake and helping daddy work on his 1965 Astin Martin DB6. The rest of the time I spent aggregating Mark. By the end of the two weeks momma was swearing we were going to kill each other. Mark pretended to hate every moment of it, but we both know he secretly love every second of it. In all truth he is my bestfriend and it was killing me to not tell him about Katherine and me.