Swimming Ducks

Part 6: Ash's Sleepover.

Hi! So, this chapter is my favourite so far, because it's so darn cute and may or may not loosely resemble other events. LOSELY. Anyway, enjoy, and if you don't ship it after this, you're insane.

TARYN'S POV:
"AAAHHH!"

I screamed and jumped behind Alice, my hands shaking. Ash was laughing, their now black-painnted lips stretched up in an evil grin as she held this... monster! It had eight fury legs and shot me some very threatening looks. My fear was 100% rational. I held onto Alice's shoulders, hiding behind her.

Her hair smells nice... shit Taryn, you creep.

I tried to hide my shaky body as I tensed up, standing straighter. "What do you think?" Ash taunted, bringing the wretched thing closer to me as I let out a pathetic whimper. "I think that that's a fucking tarantula and I don't want it near me!" I shrieked, jumping away as they began to advance towards me, tarantula in hand, crawling close to their arm. Alice was doubled over, her face beetroot-red as she held onto Ash's wardrobe door, wheezing with laughter. At least Ash's room was huge- there was lots of space to run.

To my relief, Ash slipped the creature into the cage and shut it. "What's it's name?" Alice asked after a couple of seconds to recover herself. Ask shrugged. "I don't speak tarantula," they replied and we laughed. It was eight in the evening and we were staying the night, so we were all pretty chilled, J2Os on the floor along with an embarrassingly large mound of food. There was an open cigarette pack of Ash's next to it, but it was full- it was all for show, they hated smoking and drinking. Alice collapsed onto her blow-up mattress, flicking on Ash's TV. I flopped down next to her on mine, grabbing the remote.

"Hey!" she squealed, rolling over to grab it. I moved it further away, laughing. Instead of fake pouting like I would, she practically rolled over me, but got stuck halfway. I laughed, half-winded, but she was less than an inch away, her hands either side of me.

Oh my gosh you're beautiful.
Am I allowed to find you beautiful?

Her eyes met mine for a moment, her long ponytail brushing against my cheek. I felt a blush creeping across my face, my heart racing so hard she could surely hear it...

Stop, before she finds out.

I shoved her away, forcing a laugh. Ash cleared their throat. "When you two are done canoodling," they began, "I have Twister." With that, they whipped out a colourfully-spotted box and Alice scrambled towards them, laughing. I took a second.

Breathe. It's okay. You're just confused.

I followed them, giggling too. Of all the ways to make it more awkward, Ash had to pick Twister.

Don't fuck this up Taryn.

***

It was far past midnight, and we were reaching the end of some terrible teenage movie. Ash was on their bed, behind Alice and I, and every so often made some sound of disgust at the film. Alice's mattress was right next to mine, and instead of watching the film, we were occasionally poking each other, giggling like little kids and nudging each other.

"I just don't get sex," Ash announced, flopping down onto their bed. Alice and I exchanged looks, spinning around to face Ash, ignoring the gross make out scene on the TV behind us. "What do you mean?" Alice asked, picking at the corner of Ash's duvet slightly. Her nails were painted a dark purple, and they were quite long and nicely shaped, unlike my bitten stubs for nails.

Ash pondered for a second. "It just feels gross to me, I don't really think I'll ever want it." I shrugged, and Alice just smiled at them, waiting for them to continue. "Well, I think I'm ace," they said after a moment of consideration. I just smiled at them, nodding slightly. Alice climbed onto their bed and rested her head on their shoulder. I clenched my fists, feeling jealously pang in my chest, painful, like someone was repeatedly stabbing my heart with a needle. "I'm proud of you Ash," I said, as Alice shuffled back down onto her mattress again. Nobody spoke for a while, but I could feel them smiling.

After a while, Ash flicked the light off and the credits rolled on the movie. I pulled my duvet over myself and Alice did the same. There was no movement from Ash, so I assumed they were asleep. Then again, Ash never slept.

**

I lay in the dark, tapping my finger nervously. I hated being awake with other people asleep. I tried to stop the finger tapping but it kept moving against the side of my mattress. Gritting my teeth, I listened to the wind outside, moving through buildings and curtains. How many people could hear the same wind rushing through the night, skimming over leaves and whipping through trees? I shut my eyes, letting the sound, the thought, block out the din in my mind, slow my breathing, calm my hammering heart.

My heart stopped. I felt something. Metal, against my finger. I didn't dare turn my head, or even open my eyes. But there it was. Something metal against my finger.

Then someone's fingers were brushing gently across the back of my hand, and it took me a moment to realise they were Alice's. Her ring, the metal. Hardly breathing, I gently moved my fingers against hers. I'm here, I'm awake.

Her fingers locked with mine, slowly, the gentle movement of her hand against mine both calming and electrifying. Crackles of electricity danced along my hand, my arm. My heart was nearly thudding our of my chest, every feeling and sound and emotion sharp and profound. I held my breath, squeezing her hand gently. Is she really asleep? Is this in my mind? But then her hand was gently, so gently I hardly noticed, squeezing mine, the cool metal of her ring pressing gently into my finger. My heart almost stopped, tingling with excitement and I resisted the urge to turn and face her. Was she looking at me? Was she even awake? But her hand was in mine, and I never wanted it to move.

Oh god Alice, we're getting into some deep shit.

ALICE'S POV:
I don't think my heart has ever beat so fast.

I could feel her fingers, soft and gentle against mine. I didn't think I wanted this. I didn't think this was what was meant to happen. Until then.

I could feel her tensing slightly, and I squeezed her hand gently, to relax her. My skin was tingling and butterflies overran my stomach.

I'm here Taryn.