Destined

Forty Two

I was in the kitchen cooking that Monday afternoon when Liz returned from school looking like she'd just run a marathon.

"What happened to you?" I asked amused by her appearance.
"You don't want to know," she answered guzzling down some water. "What are you making?"
"Shepherd's pie," I responded.
"Ooh, Matt's favorite. Do you have extra? I want to take some for him,"
"Sure, what time are you going over there?"
"Soon as I shower and change? Aren't you coming? Vince is there,"
"Oh,"

I hadn't seen Vince since earlier that morning when I'd practically run out of his house with some fake excuse about Talia needing me. Truth be told, I just had to get away from him. Our relationship had taken a very intense change since I made the decision to sleep with him. It seemed more...real.

You asked him to shower with you.

Okay okay. I just hadn't expected to feel so attached to him after. I hadn't had time to think much of it right after seeing as Celine had crashed our little hangout. But after spending another night with him, especially after waking up this morning with him wrapped around me like ivy, the fear was getting to me.

It was a good feeling. But it was also scary. I had never spent the night with any of my boyfriends. Never felt comfortable enough to cross that kind of threshold. And now, I'd done it twice. And I was losing my mind. Feeling all kinds of claustrophobic, I managed to extract myself from Vince, his bed and his scent.

I'd grabbed my clothes, got dressed as fast and as quietly as I could and left his house like it was on fire. I'd texted him as I made my way home, walking up the road, hoping he was still asleep.

Sorry I had to leave. Talia needs me. Didn't want to wake you. See you later.-K

I was halfway home when my phone rang. Literally three minutes after I sent my message.

"Vince," I answered.
"Where are you?"
"I'm almost home,"
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"Like I said in my text, I didn't want to..."
"Don't lie to me Kristina, what happened? Are you okay? Are we okay?"
"Don't worry, Vince, I promise I'm fine, we're fine. I'll see you soon,"

I was walking into the house when I hang up and Talia was in the lounge watching tv. She turned when she heard me come in and gave me a big smile.

"Look who finally showed up," she said.
I rolled my eyes, "Don't,"
She stood and followed me into the kitchen, "I need details, tell me everything,"
I stared at her, "Not happening,"
"Oh come on. At least tell me you had fun,"
I smiled, "I did,"
"So what happened? Why are you back here? Without him?"
"T, I'm panicking," I finally admitted.
"What's wrong?"
"Vince,"
"Did he do something stupid?"
"No, no, he didn't. And I think that's the problem,"
"You've lost me, Krissy,"
"Uhm...well, I just feel like we're moving so fast,"
"Because you spent two nights in a row with him?"
"Yes, I'm scared, Talia. Vince is everything I never knew I wanted or ever thought I could have, and now that I have him, I feel like at any moment, he'll disappear,"
"You gotta give him the benefit of the doubt though. That man has sent some mixed signals before but you guys have been solid for over a month, ride it out, Krissy,"
"I'm just so terrified he's going to hurt me,"
"Or maybe you'll hurt him. There's no guarantee,"
"Logically, I understand that, and honestly, everything's just too perfect right now, I'm sure I'll sabotage it somehow,"
"Conquer your fears, if that man hurts you, I'll come gunning for him myself. Otherwise, enjoy being with him. If he makes you happy, and you make him happy, just grow from there,"
"Okay," I said making my tea. "I just need some space. To get out of my head, you know. Before I say or do something stupid,"
"Like doing a walk of shame from your boyfriend's house? What did you tell him anyway?"
"That you needed me?"
"Oh great, you used me as an excuse,"
"I couldn't help it,"