Forked Roads Back

12 - TESSA

WE END UP STAYING in Nuance for hours. The drawbacks of speaking to someone so interesting whilst having access to caffeinated drinks 24/7...

We talk non-stop about our families, our likes and dislikes, our interests and hobbies, and as the hours fly by, I love the way he's making me laugh. He keeps the conversation light, not asking me too many secrets, but at the same time, I feel like I would bear my soul if he asked.

By the time we're on our fourth hot chocolate, my eyes are starting to droop, and when I feel Jamie poke me gently in my side, I realise I must have fallen asleep.

He kisses my cheek before whispering into my ear, "Let's get you home to bed, shall we?"

I nod tiredly but also feel like I could stay here. The sofa is so comfy and it's warm that I really don't feel like moving.

I wait a few more seconds before finally opening my eyes properly, and when I check my phone, I gasp and cup my mouth.

"Holy crap, it's four in the morning!"

Jamie's eyebrows raise in similar surprise. "Holy shit, is it?"

It makes me groan even more because I know the others will now be safely and snuggly back in their beds when we both have to contend with the snowstorm outside. I wouldn't be home for another hour, given we had to walk back past the bar to even be half way, and the thought makes me sink back into the sofa. The thought of heading out into the whirling wintry weather makes me want to curl up in a ball and just fall asleep right here.

Jamie chuckles above me and when I open my eyes, he has his coat on, and he's donned a hat this time, meaning it really must be cold.

"Come on, Grumpy," he jokes, pulling me up before holding my coat open.

I narrow my eyes at him. "You can't call me Grumpy yet," I warn, although the irony isn't lost on me that I'm getting grumpier by the second.

Once we've waved goodbye to Luna, we head back into the snow, which had most definitely got worse. Snow banks now decorated the road we'd come from, and the road in completely covered. Our feet sink into nearly six inches of snow, and by the time we reach the corner, my feet are beyond freezing.

We don't talk much, both just wanting to get back as quickly as possible, and when my house comes into sight, I've never been more happy to see it.

As we reach the porch, I stand underneath it, jumping up and down to try and warm myself up to stop my teeth from chattering enough for me to speak. As I look at Jamie, even he looks cold, and I'm wondering whether to invite him inside just so he doesn't have to go back out in this storm.

"Do you want to come up?" I ask, shivering as my teeth continue to chatter.

He smiles. "More talking?" he asks with over-exaggerated surprise just as I try and fail to stifle a yawn.

I giggle and step closer to him. "No. Tea and sleeping." He quirks an eyebrow. "Maybe just sleeping." I don't need more caffeine now, given I needed to be up in four hours to get to my lecture on time.

He groans, tipping his head up. "I want to," he says, truthfully, touching my nose with an ice cold finger but he looks behind him and sighs before looking back at me. "But I probably shouldn't..." He looks as disappointed as I feel, but he tries to soften it for me by dropping a small kiss on my nose.

"Other than lectures, are you free tomorrow?" He asks, his voice hopeful. "Maybe we could go see a film, get some dinner or something?"

I smile, my eyes brightening at the thought that he wants to see me again, just as much as I want to see him.