sonder

cingulomania

Chapter Twenty Eight

Cingulomania

(n.) A strong desire to hold a person in your arms.

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The boys walked through the front door in front of Kali and I. Courtney was still sound asleep in my arms, not once having woken up on our walk back to the house. There was definitely a new sense of life in the air ever since Kali asked if I wanted to join in on the sleepover, almost a coyness being shared between the two of us.

This whole entire thing was a new step in our friendship and nerves were squirming within me. I really didn't want to make a fool of myself in front of Kali, in the bookstore or just hanging out and talking were situations that I was able to control a little bit more. Now though, it felt as if something had changed in our relationship... I don't know if that is a good thing.

"Here, I'll go put her in the living room." Kali said, turning around to reach for Courtney. I awkwardly pass Courtney over to her, both of us trying to figure out the best way to maneuver her so that she doesn't wake up. Footsteps sound above me which I assume is Austin and Jeremiah.

I follow closely behind Kali as she walks further into the house. The walls had become comforting but now, they felt suffocating because of the thoughts I had of embarrassing myself flooded my mind.

My heart swelled as I watched her place Courtney down on the couch, her hand sweeping her sister's curls out of her face. My palms began to sweat as her sparkling eyes met mine, a smile playing on her lips.

"You look skeptical." She notices, walking towards me but veering away to turn left into the kitchen before we actually bump into each other.

I'm close enough behind her that I can take in each small detail of her. The way that her shirt clings to her hips yet nearly cover her jean shorts that have become loose on her legs over the course of the day. We both face each other, my pose mimicking her position of leaning on the countertop.

Our faces are inches apart, my eyes moving across each detail of her face: the small, barely visible freckles peppering her nose, her chapped lips from being out in the sun all day, even the one pesky curl that spilts her caramel forehead in two.

"How about I make dinner instead tonight?" I suggest, already knowing that Kali will put up some sort of fight.

I mentally count down until she shakes her head and she's right on queue. "No, I actually really enjoy making dinner. Thanks for offering though." She apologetically declines.

"Too bad, I'm not taking no for an answer." I then whip out my phone, my fingers immediately pulling up the search engine. I could feel her confused stare on my head, a smirk running over my lips.

"What are you doing?" She questions, my lips remaining sealed until I've pulled up the number that I'm about to dial.

"What kind of pizza does everybody like?" I ask, instant realization clicking onto her features.

"Damian!" She quietly shrieks at me. "I can make dinner, we are not ordering pizza." Kali objects with annoyance.

Her slender fingers go to snatch the phone away from my hand, with ease I am able to turn my body away from her. "What do you want?" I ask her again.

She tries to weasel her way around me still grabbing at my device. She gives ups when I finally pull it out of her reach, raising it high above her head whilst I stick my tongue out at her. I raise my eyebrows expectantly, a huge sigh escaping her mouth.