Winning Her Heart (Completed)

9. Camilla

Snuggling down into the bean bag, I get comfortable as I look at the three boys, all focussed on their current game, and the way they are relaxed and tease each other brings a small smile to my face and as I think about the laughter shared while they spent nearly two hours trying to teach me how to play, even letting me cheat by knocking each other off the track to make sure I won one race before we had a break. Tim had passed us each a bottle of water and they had all lied and said how well I did, as I shook my head at them, then told them to play by themselves and I would watch.

They had changed the game to a Assassins Creed and I was very happy to watch, liking the music and costumes as they fought their way through the game.

My mind drifted back over the last two years and I realised just how isolated I had been by Natalie and Jonah, they had made sure to cut me off from friends and I had let them, to some extent I had just rolled over and let them continue, what if I had fought back, told the school or my family, would I have had this sooner? Was there weakness in being strong? I felt a lone tear trail slowly down my cheek and as I lifted my hand slowly to brush it away.

"Millie?"
Kristian was on his knees in front of me, his face concerned and his hand coming up to brush the tear away and cupping my face, my hand just hovering half way, before I let it fall back into my lap.

"Millie, what's wrong?" he asked again urgently.
My gaze flicked past him to the others and I saw they had paused the game and were all watching me with concerned faces.

"I'm okay, just thinking" I try to smile to reassure them but it doesn't work.
"Thinking about what, tell me Millie" Kristian asks, his hand lifting my face so we are eye to eye.
"Was I weak by being strong?" I mutter to the silent room, dropping my gaze as Kristian groans.
"Fuck that's deep" Aiden mutters breaking the tension and making Tim chuckle.

I felt the tension still in Kristian but kept my gaze down, I didn't want to see the guilt in his eyes, I feared it would eventually drive him away and I didn't want to loose this weird friendship that seemed to be starting.

"Millie?" he whispered "Look at me" but I shook my head.
He growled quietly before I found myself moving, his big arms lifting me and then I was on his lap, held so firmly against him, I could feel the beat of his heart as he wrapped his body around mine. Protectively.

"Millie, you are the strongest person I know and I am in awe of how you managed to deal with everything that happened to you and still be you. And I am so grateful you have let us become your friends, especially me after what I did to you, that takes strength baby, I promise there is nothing weak about you" he tells me, his head resting on mine and I swear I feel him kiss the top of my head as his arms tighten.

"Dude, you better ease off or she won't be able to breath" Aiden tells Kristian and he relaxes his arms allowing me to draw in a shaky breath.
"Sorry, I didn't realise" he mutters embarrassed as his friends laugh at him, and he unwinds us further so I can see Tim and Aiden watching us, curious smiles on their faces.

I fidget in his lap, feeling my cheeks burn as I realise what we look like.
"Umm, maybe it's time I went, its late and I have an early class tomorrow" I said, my voice croaking a little.
Kristian chuckles against my back "Okay, little Millie, i'll walk you back to your room"
I growl and slam my elbow back, before groaning as I connect with his hard stomach, causing them all to laugh.
"Now now children, no fighting" Aiden snickers, as Kristian hauls me to my feet, keeping my hand in his and sending his friends a rude gesture as he leads me back to my room, fishing my keys out of his pocket to unlock my door before leaning on the wall and looking at me.
"Thank you for tonight, I had fun" I tell him, looking up at him, his dark gaze locked on mine.
"We will do it again" he promises and I nod nervously.
"See you tomorrow Millie, dream of me" he leans down and gently kisses my cheek before turning away, leaving me watching him walk away in silence, my heart racing as I wonder at how everything is changing and wonder when it will all stop.