The Other Side

Three Teenagers. One Spy: Chapter 4

It’s really happening.” I stated, my blue eyes staring right into Dylan’s. His face was something I’d never seen on him before . . . he was scared. His eyes searched the room and his hand slightly shook under mine. We were going to die soon, very soon, too soon. Realisation had dawned on us, it hit us like a ton of bricks. 

   He gently pulled me closer to him and looked down at me; I reached him at about neck level. Dylan held me still for a moment looking for something to say, something to make it right but he and I both knew there was nothing that could. “I guess we just have to wait, Tanse. Wait until the day comes.” He whispered.

I pulled him impossibly closer to me and hugged him fiercely. He gripped me tightly, making me feel a sense of security that only he could give me. He gently twisted me around and brushed his lips softly against mine. I gasped when he pulled back, his cheeks tinkling a soft pink colour.

    “I’m going to miss you, Tansy.” He breathed, looking deep into my eyes. My breath caught in my throat from shock and then he was kissing me again. More tenderly, though. I felt as his warmth took over my body, making me feel closer to him than anyone else in the world, his lips gently pressing to mine. My heart raced, 10 years of being best friends will soon change, I thought. Our mouths moved franticly against each other, we only had a couple of months left to live. And it had taken us far too long to do that. Fire stirred deep within my gut and I needed to feel him closer to me, but it was impossible. With obvious effort he pulled himself back, our left hands still entwined, his right hand cupping my cheek.

    “I can’t believe it’s all going to end this way, Dylan.” I said softly. I looked at our hands, “But this is good to know.” I said, trying to make light out of the situation.

    He met my gaze and looked at our joined hands too, “Yeah. I guess it is.” He smiled. “I think we both have a little explaining to do . . .” He joked, his mouth was smiling subtly but I saw pain etched in his beautiful eyes.

    “Yes definitely.” I laughed gently, I wondered if he could see the pain that I was feeling like I could see with him. I rested my head on his shoulder, studying the living room; the TV took up a corner, a couple of cosy couches. A magazine rack and some blankets.

    “Let's talk, like we would normally do. Forget about everything else, Tanse. Let's just . . . Talk."

    “About us?" I asked.

     He nodded, his cheeks still a little flushed.

     I decided to ask the first thing in my head. Let's start from the beginning, I thought. I took ten calm breaths before forgetting completely about the sacrifice that was slowly creeping up on us. "Since when have you liked me, Dylan? I always thought we were just.” I looked at our hands again then back up at him, “friends.” I ended. 

    “Since we grew up Tanse. Ever since we grew up.” He said quietly.

    “When did we ‘grow up’?” I wondered aloud.

    “About 2 years ago." He pondered. He sighed. "I’ve always cared for you, you know that Tanse. But . . . things changed. I knew I liked you when I always wanted to be with you and talk to you. When I would rush to your house when I got some news. Don't make fun of me here but one night I had a . . . dream. I dreamed that we were at my house and we were watching a movie. And you fell asleep on my lap, but when I shook you awake . . . I kissed you."

     I leaned in towards Dylan, “Really?”

     "Yeah, I'm just a hopeless romantic like that. Especially when it comes to you," He said with a smile. I blushed and bit my lip.

    “You look adorable when you blush you know.” He told me.

    “So I’ve been told.” I said with an ironic smile.