Anaphase

Phase XXIII + 1

Sparks danced and twisted in my chest as Demetri walked me to my room, our hands clasped smoothly together. I couldn't tear my smile off my face and was thankful for the dimness of the hallway.

My emotions were in a frenzy as were my hot cheeks I could feel flaring. They better go back to normal before he sees me.

The clarification on where our relationship stood, hanged unverified in the air.

His heartbeat pulsed through his wrist to my own, a melody of flutters.
I loved it.

It was a comfortable silence the entire way nonetheless. With no conversation feeling necessary yet not exactly finding the right words to say.

I hadn't decided whether I should be worried or if he was just as confused as I was. It was a total rush, the most blood boiling risk I'd ever taken.
And it worked.

Just like Sky-Diving, I was breathless and amazed at the extraordinary out of this world experience. I had to divert my attention elsewhere everytime I looked over at him. At the way the shadows complimented the curves of the outlines of his facial features. At the way his brown eyes were now black with either lust or...disappointment?

It wasn't until I saw his shoes locked in place in front of mine that I realised we had stopped walking.

Taking my chances, I met eyes with him, losing my breath for the slightest moment.

His eyebrows creased together and I felt my heartbeat growing louder in my ears.

"Do you um,'" he said finally breaking the prolonged silence.

I raised my brows and waited.

He scratched the back of his neck and shook his head slightly.

"Do you want to come in?" I asked in a squeaky voice.

He looked up startled, his thick brows raised. Our eyes ventured back to the same state as earlier.

Divine temptation.

Realising what I said I quickly diverted the implication assumed.

"I mean um. Cause I was just I don't know we were just standing here and it was awkward so I thought you were bored or um-"

"Lilith! Relax stop blurting," he interrupted, his large strong hands now on my shoulders.

"Sorry," I blushed embarrassed.

I was never good with boys. Heck, I'd only been in one relationship. But that was years ago. When he...he-

My stomach dropped.

"You should go inside," he said quietly caressing my face.

He stepped forward and put a long, defining kiss to my forehead.

Breathe.

"Thank you," I whispered.
"For what?" He murmured, still standing in the same place looking down at me.

Everything.

"For um, walking me to my room."

He scoured around suspiciously as if there were a spy watching.

There was so much I didn't know I realised. So much that if his uncle didn't get here soon enough then I'll go find him myself.

Demetri chuckled, his breath tingling with the hairs on my forehead.

He seemed for once, smelling like nothing at all; which probably meant he smelled like me.
Or I smelled like him.

Guilt started to consume me.

"You should probably go," I said almost inaudibly yet he heard it loud and clear.
I found he often does. Secrets.

A moment of hurt flashed on his face before it was gone immediately making me think I had imagined it.

"Goodnight, Miss Haynes," Demetri said with a straight face.

Unable to speak, I gave a small smile and nodded my head poorly.

He parted his lips slightly then turned to leave, his hair flimsy and hands concealed by pockets.

My eyes followed him till the infinite-looking hallway swallowed him in darkness.

A shiver ran up my spine when I was finally left alone to the dimly lit corridor. Something felt eerie and I wasn't sticking around to find out what.

I looked back to where Demetri had left. Now even more guilt ate my insides.

Thrashing the door open I peered both ways before disappearing into my room.

Curled up in bed in one of Demetri's t-shirts, two things clashed in my mind.

One, Demetri and our kiss. How soon I'll find out the unnatural secrets that are concealed just under the wallpaper that peels off these walls. I wasn't oblivious, but I wasn't in the know either.

Two, E.J.
Was I betraying him by kissing someone else? But it was so long ago, yet he was the only boy I had ever loved. Not that we knew anything about love. I was only 12 when he left.
His death was scarring.
Till this day it turns out.
Years ago and still haunting me.
The guilt ate at my chest, gnawing painfully.
Especially at the fact that it had only hit me now and not even crossed my mind before. I barely even remembered he existed when I was with Demetri.

I curled even tighter and let out a short whimper before letting my tears ease me to sleep.

AN//
Sorry! I know it's short and it's been so long but now that I'm finally back from my holiday (✨🙌), I'm being thrown into schoolwork but I'll try update asap!

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