The Girl Next Door (gxg)

A Second Kiss

I opened my eyes just in time to see a glimpse of her hair peaking out behind a tree. It took me a few seconds to register what had just happened and be coherent enough to speak. "Calla?" I called into the darkness. No answer. "Calla come here," I begged. Nothing moved. The world was silent, motionless. "Fine," I muttered, "I'll just have to find you."

I stood up and dusted off my jeans before searching the park. It was dark and intimidating as the world began to move again. Trees swayed in the wind. Animal noises filled the air. A little cat ran right in front of me, scaring me half to death. Typical Calla, I thought, just like her to leave me here all alone. But even though it appeared as if she'd left me, I knew she was still there, hiding somewhere in the park. Calla was crazy, but she would never leave me, not completely.

I finally found her curled up on a bench only a few yards from where she had kissed me. There were tears on her cheeks. She looked up at me with those big brown watery eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered. She was so beautiful, so absolutely gorgeous, tears and all. I couldn't speak so I sat on the bench and wrapped my arms around her. "I shouldn't have," she started, "I know it's pointless, you'll never feel the same. I'm so sorry. I hope you'll still be my friend."

At her words, my heart broke. Here I was, begging myself not to have feelings for this girl, telling myself she would never feel the same, and all along I was wrong. I was wrong. We were both the same. Both of us feeling the pain of what we thought we could never have.

I felt her break in my arms. Tears streamed down her face, faster than I could wipe them away. Her sobs filled the air. I was so useless, so absolutely stunned, I couldn't bring myself to say anything that would end her pain. So I just sat there and held her. Her skin was cold and I did everything in my power to make her warm, to make her more comfortable. But how could you make a crying girl more comfortable?

After minutes of her crying, she spoke again. "I'm sorry Reign," her voice broke, "I never meant-"

"Don't be sorry," I cut her off.

She looked up at me again, surprised by my words. "Calla," I started, and my own tears stopped me. She wrapped her arms around me and held me close. Her hot breath warmed my neck and her cold tears trickled down my chest.

"I like you too, as more than a friend," I finished.

Calla's eyes met mine, a look of confusion exploded on her face. I nodded and looked into her eyes, begging her to believe me. Then I rested my forehead against hers and brought my hands to hold her head. I paused for only a moment before pulling her lips to mine. I kissed her deeply, felt her warmth against me. She tasted sweet but her lips were salty with tears. In that moment all the feelings I had shoved down were released. My heart was overwhelmed with emotion.

Finally, she pulled back and gasped for air before bringing our lips together once more. I never wanted to stop. There was nothing in the world I would rather being doing than be here with Calla. Our kissing gave me energy, but it was short lived. The walking and crying had taken so much out of me. We stopped after a while and I curled up against her and fell asleep quickly.

I felt so warm laying against her, I never wanted to move. Calla woke me in what seemed like only moments after.

"Reign wake up, we have to go back." She shook me gently and I opened my eyes to see her beautiful face.

"We fell asleep, come on, it's almost morning." I looked around and saw that it was still dark outside.

"It's not morning Calla," I whispered, my voice groggy from sleep.

"It's 3 a.m. Reign, we have to go."

I didn't argue any further. She took my hand and pulled me up off the bench and we started our long walk home. Her hand fit perfectly in mine and I dreaded the moment I would have to let it go.

We were home too quick. Calla opened my window, helped me into bed, and then kissed my forehead.

"Goodnight Reign," she whispered. I heard the window squeak and she was gone.