𝗚𝗟𝗨𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚 ᵉˡˡᶤᵉ ˣ ᶠᵉᵐ ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ

⌠16⌡

you take a step back, trying to compose yourself, and grab a nearby shirt to cover up. ellie watches you, her gaze lingering on the shirt as it hides your body from view. she pulls on her own shirt, her movements jerky and hasty. she runs a hand through her hair, flustered, before crossing her arms over her chest.

'i don't know why we're hiding' she murmurs, her voice low and gravelly. 'it's not like we're doing anything wrong'

you swallow hard, the taste of her still lingering on your lips. 'it's new to me, ellie' you whisper, your voice barely audible. 'i just don't know how to feel about it yet' the words hang in the air, a sudden weight to the moment that wasn't there before. she nods, understanding flashing in her eyes, and takes a step back, allowing the space between you to grow.

'it's okay' she just says, a soft smile on her face.

the silence is almost unbearable. you can hear the faint sound of laughter from the kitchen as you approach the stairs. breakfast is being made, the smell of coffee and eggs wafting into the room.

you sit down at the kitchen table, trying to act casual, trying to pretend that your heart isn't racing a mile a minute. abby is at the stove, flipping pancakes with a spatula, her apron splattered with batter. dina looks up and smiles at you, her eyes searching your face for something. she's like that, always looking for the truth in people's expressions.

'slept well?' she asks, her tone innocent, but you know she knows something. you feel the heat rising in your cheeks and you hope she doesn't notice.

"yeah, good night's sleep." you reply, hoping she buys it. dina raises an eyebrow but says nothing, turning back to the stove to help abby.

ellie joins you at the table, her movements deliberately nonchalant as she grabs a mug and pours herself a cup of coffee. she sits down opposite you, her legs brushing against yours under the table. it is a subtle gesture, one that sends a jolt of electricity through your body. you both avoid eye contact, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

abby slides a plate of pancakes in front of you, the steam rising up to tickle your nose. you force a smile and thank her, hoping the scent of breakfast will mask the scent of lust that lingers in the air between ellie and you. the sweetness of the syrup is almost enough to distract you from the pulsing throb between your legs. almost.

as you dig into the food, the conversation turns to plans for the day. dina suggests a hike, something to clear the air. you nod along, grateful for the mundane topic. ellie, however, seems lost in thought, her eyes darting between you and her plate. she takes a bite of pancake, chewing slowly, as if trying to swallow down the words she desperately wants to say.

the hike is a welcome distraction. the cool morning air kisses your skin as you walk through the dense forest, the leaves crunching beneath your feet. dina chats with mel or someone else, but you can't tell because you don't really care.

you and ellie stay a few steps behind, the silence between you charged with something you can't quite put your finger on. every now and then, you steal a glance at her, her eyes focused on the path ahead, her hair tied back in a messy bun, and your heart skips a beat. you are both lost in your own thoughts, but the connection is palpable.

once you reach the clearing at the top of the hill, the view is breathtaking. the sun peeks through the trees, casting dappled light across the meadow. dina and the others spread out, chatting and taking photos, but you and ellie find a quiet spot away from the group.

'i'm scared' you say as you don't take your eyes from the view. ellie looks at you, confused. you turn your head to meet her eyes. 'what's going to happen next?'