The Witches on BellaRow Street

26. Maybe I Should Go...

Center. Inward. Over. Breathe.
*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ･ﾟ:*:･ﾟ:*

There's a quote that says, "Distance doesn't ruin a relationship; doubts do," and I finally get it. The more I hold back, the more doubts I create, causing friction between Zion and me.

I'm thinking we're making relationship progress on the rooftop by sharing a few of my secrets on that ill-fated night in the alley, but I couldn't be farther from the truth. The moment I share one secret, two more pop up in its place, thus shocking Zion all over again.

When we reach the end of the hallway, leading back to his condo, I'd like to say, we held hands, stole a few kisses, laughed, and joked around, but that didn't happen.

Instead, we let our unspoken words lead the way, thus creating more tension, doubts, and low-key the most dramatic movie scene ever, where the main characters are walking down the hall in slow motion. Yeah, that's us.

We're serious. We let low lights illuminate a fraction of our face, hiding away our deepest fears. We've reached a tipping point, there's no turning back now, and all I have to do is confirm it, hell, all he has to do is say it.

What is he thinking?

It has to be between my lack of saying, the 'L' word, which admittedly, it's on my mind, but the words aren't coming out. Or what if it's everything I mentioned in the alley. Perhaps he's having doubts about helping me cover-up my tracks. Or maybe it has to do with me hiding my illuminated aqua-green veins on the rooftop. Which one is it?

Just ask, Yanni.

I don't need to. I know it's my glowing veins and now I'm waiting for him to ask me about it.

I can feel my heart pounding in my ears, creating its own dramatic rhythm with our footsteps. My melancholy eyes peek over at Zion, trying to read his unreadable Pokerface and nothing. It's like he went from mystified to speechless within a short time frame, but if he has questions, then he should say it. Right?

Once we step inside, Zion strolls over to his industrial style kitchen, stops mid-way, glancing back at me. It's the same intense, questionable 'rooftop stare' as if he's looking at me for the first time. When his eyes roam over my arms, my body tenses, forcing me to think of something quick.

"Umm," I clear my throat, unsure of what to say next. Great. Out of all the words in the dictionary, 'umm' is the best thing I can say. As of right now, there are at least three curse words, better than the 'umm' filler.

I inhale a whiff of his aromatic Sandalwood incense infused with hints of aphrodisiac jasmine and lavender, permeating throughout the room as a way of calming my nerves.

"So," He hesitates. "You'll have the information within twenty-four hours? Yeah?"

Zion's changing the subject, plus, he hasn't kicked me out, scream, scowl, or channeled his inner fight or flight mode since we left the rooftop. That's progress. However, he's still acting weird.

Maybe I should go.

No, stay Yanni--stay and be awkward with him.

"Yeah, I can do that," I pause, thinking of something interesting to say next. "Umm..." I got nothing. The seconds between us feels like long days on a deserted island with no food, not even a palm tree.

"Do you want anything?" Zion points at the kitchen, waiting for my response.

I gasp for air, knowing it's the perfect time to speak up, but I can't find the words. "No, I'm good. Thanks."

The tension between us is as thick as my hips in a pair of skinny jeans.

"Okay, well..."His eyes flicker over to the computer area, resting in the corner, near one of his sculptures. The computer station is state-of-the-art too. He has four side-by-side plasma screen monitors, anchored on an L-shaped desktop. Two webcams, a 32 GB laptop, and a whole bunch of other stuff I haven't seen before. "I'll be on the computer, searching for a back door entrance to your cellphone service provider..."

"Right," I fiddle with my fingers, wondering if I should ask for a goodnight kiss as I edge closer to the bedroom. "Thanks again."

"It's not a problem."

For eight odd seconds, we stand in silence, I assume, waiting for the other to make the first move. Apart of me wants to run over to him, throw my arms around his neck and kiss him slowly, deeply, passionately and with utter virility as if my life depends on it.

However, my feet feel like they're nailed to the floor. My whole body is betraying my heart, plus, I'm struggling with my vocabulary. I don't know what to say next, but my nerves are pushing me over the edge.

"Okay, um, Goodnight," I trail my teeth along the corner of my lips, biting them softly.

"Goodnight," Zion peeks at my arms one more time before glancing up at me. "Hey, Yan?"

I freeze at the door, tilting my head slightly. "Yeah?"

This is it. The moment I've been waiting for, he's going to ask me about my magical veins. I can feel it. What do I say? Maybe if pretend it didn't happen, then he'll let it go, but that's impossible. On the rooftop, Zion stared at my arms for at least five seconds. That's long enough question everything, including his existence. Well, whatever he says next, I'll have to set aside my ego and deal with it. Right? Okay, yes, I'm ready.

"I love you..."

Gasp! He's said the 'L' word, twice in one night. I'm zinging all over again, and it feels like my nerves stop moving, and then in a sudden rush, start racing all over my body. My endorphins have got to be on one hundred. It's a natural high, an elevated buzz, sending me up pass Cloud Nine, ten, and eleven!

The sweetest exhale escapes from my lips, and I think he notices it too.

In my wildest dreams, I'd like to say, we spent the next few hours hashing things out, connecting on a deeper level, and 'dancing' the night away until orgasms were met with celebratory tears, but that didn't happen either.

Instead, I stare at him for a moment, mesmerized by his bravery, his affirmation, and his love for me until I panic. In a weird twist of fate, I finally found the courage to move my feet, but rather than running towards him, I dash into his bedroom, sprint towards the bathroom, and shut the door, trying to rationalize my inner frustration.

What am I doing?!