we were all rounded up at everglen, our non-definitive hang out and discussion spot for the black swan. i tugged on my bangs and sunk back into the shadows, knowing that i probably wasn't very welcome here. not after what i did.
"tam!"
hold on. i stopped where i was-- in the middle of backing into my shadows-- and waited. it was biana. her eyes were shining and she was wearing a beautifully adorned silver dress that accented the striking teal of her eyes. seconds later, i was engulfed in a tight, tight, tight hug.
"i can't believe you're actually here!" biana whispered, beaming up at me as she pulled away. "never do that ever again, you hear me?" she glared. "you scared me. i-- we all missed you so much!" she hugged me again, her grip tightening.
i held on to her tightly, my fingers ending up in her long brown hair. "i missed you too," i told her softly, loving the way she felt in my arms. i never wanted this moment to end.
"oh my gosh! i can't believe i forgot!" biana pulled away first. "you have got to shower and, and relax-- maybe sleep? yes." she grabbed my hand-- i hoped desperately that my cheeks weren't blushing, although i could feel them heating up-- and tugged me up the spiraling stairs.
we stopped in front of a plain door. "here, you go ahead and get in the shower, i'll see if i can get some clothes and stuff for you." she turned and started walking away.
"biana," when she turned to face me, she stopped in her tracks and i cleared my throat. "thank you."
she grinned and the smile lit up her entire face. "it's no problem. now, go shower," she shooed me away. "you stink."
"you try living with the neverseen for a month or two. these guys don't exactly understand personal hygiene." i joked with a teasing smile.
biana's nose immediately wrinkled. "ew, gross. you go, i'll find some things for you to wear." she turned to leave again.
my heart thudded painfully in my chest. i knew, if she left, i'd never tell her. "biana," i called again.
she turned back. "yes, tam?"
"i, uh," my hand went up of it's own accord and tucked a few locks of biana's hair behind her ear. "i wanted to... i wanted to tell you something." i managed to get out.
she gazed up at me with those beautiful teal eyes of hers. "shoot," she said with a dazzling smile.
"i don't know how to say this," i told her. "i'm so much better at doing than speaking."
biana's eyebrows knitted together. she was confused. "then do it."
"okay," i said softly. i walked closer to her, wrapping one arm around her waist and the other cupping her cheek. i leaned in and then hesitated.
biana's eyes stared right into mine, searching for something. then, they fluttered closed and she closed the gap between us.
the kiss was soft and tentative.
she pulled away first.
i leaned my forehead against hers. "i really like you."
biana's smile was astonishing. "really?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
"really." i confirmed.
"i like you too," her smile was shy.
i grinned and, before i lost my confidence, i asked, "will you go on a date with me?"
"it depends," biana told me, her smile teasing.
"on what?"
her smile grew. "on whether or not you shower. you stink," she reminded me.
"oh, right." i said flatly, the heat rising up to my cheeks.
"tell me what you want now," biana said, "before i turn to leave. i need to get you clean clothes and you're not letting me."
i laughed. "no, you go ahead. i won't stop you."
"good."
i watched her disappear around the bend of the wall with a small smile. i loved her.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
