Asunder

Chapter 38 - Run From You

I shove my face into Emma's pillow and let out a guttural scream.
"Come on, say it!" she laughs, pulling my head back by my ponytail.
"Argh, feelings," I whine, before my head is dropped back into the pillow.
Emma pats my back. "What feelings? Be specific."

I sigh dramatically, then turn my head to her.

"Stay," he whispers, kissing my cheek. "It's better in here than in there."
"I told my mom I'd be back... but I could tell her I'm sleeping over at Emma's."
Sky grins, the way he's been grinning ever since I started singing at the karaoke. He pulls me back into his chest, and I close my eyes.

"What...?" Emma says, eyes darting back and forth between my eyes.

And I really, really want to say it.

"I'm..." I start, then grow, backing out.
"No, say it!" Emma chants. "Say it, say it—"
"God, shut up already! I have to concentrate!"
She dodges my swatting hand. "You have to concentrate?"
I scream into the pillow: "Shut up!"

"What time is it?"
He looks over at his alarm clock. "Two AM."
I laugh. "What are the consequences of sleep deprivation again?"
He kisses my head. "Worth it. To me." He pulls back. "But I don't think you should catch any of those so..." He pouts comically. "Are you tired?"
I pause to assess. Then shake my head. "No. I'm not."
He just looks into my eyes, and I blush. "Stop," I whine, hiding my face in his chest.
"Finding you beautiful?" He sighs. "Never."

Emma rips the pillow from under me, then smacks the back of my head with it.
"Emma!"
"Say it!" she shouts.
"Whoa, calm down—"
"Calm down?" She throws the pillow at the ceiling. "Calm down? Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?" Her eyes look like they could be about to explode. "Months, Kingsley. It's been months."
"Okay!" I shout back, sitting up slowly. "You waited for months, you can wait a few more seconds."
"I really can't though."
I close my eyes, smiling. "For God's sake, Emma, just shut up."

"I'm watching you," I warn, unzipping my dress. "don't you dare turn around."
"I'm not!" he insists, "I wouldn't disrespect a lady in such a way."
I scoff, and the dress falls to the floor. Silence follows, until he sighs.
"What?" I ask.
He shakes his head.
"What is it?" I grab the plain white shirt he picked out from his dresser, and notice it's the one with a string peeking out from the collar.
"It's just..." he shakes his head.
I worriedly walk over to him, tugging down at the shirt, which reaches about mid-thigh, before putting a hand on his shoulder. Thankfully, he's smiling.
"I got worried there," I loose a breath, then turn to sit on my side of the bed. Only when I've put the covers over my crossed legs and begun to untie my hair from its bun do I notice the silence.
I turn to Sky just as my hair comes loose, a curl falling at my cheek. He stares at me, at his shirt.
My face warms, and I push my hair aside. "What?" I ask quietly.
He shakes his head again, smiling softly, then turning his face to the ceiling before wiping it roughly: "What the hell happened to me?"

I sigh, wringing my hands: "Okay, I'm going to say it."
Emma nods, visibly holding her breath.

I wake up with a lurching gasp, and begin gagging.
"Kingsley, oh my God," Sky says, as I hold my hand to my mouth to try and quiet my sobs.
Everything is blurry, unreal, a fog.
But I feel strong arms wrap around me from behind, as if catching me at the edge of a precipice.
"I'm here, I got you."
"Sky... he... she..."
"I got you."

"I..."
"Yes?"
I sigh, and my face falls into my hands. "I have feelings for Sky."

Emma's answering whoop is so loud I can't hear my own laughter.