𝗚𝗟𝗨𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚 ᵉˡˡᶤᵉ ˣ ᶠᵉᵐ ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ

⌠16⌡

her eyes soften, and she takes a step closer. 'you don't have to be' she whispers, her voice barely carrying over the rustle of the leaves. ellie reaches out and takes your hand, her touch sending a warm wave through your body. you look down at your intertwined fingers, surprised by the comfort you find in the simple gesture. the world around you fades away as you both stand there, the weight of the moment pressing down on your shoulders. you nod.

'let's just take it slow' she says, her thumb brushing over the back of your hand. you can feel her pulse, beating in sync with yours. 'whatever happens, we'll figure it out together'

you nod again, feeling a little less scared, a little more hopeful. you can hear the distant laughter of the others, but it is as if you are in your own little bubble with ellie. you squeeze her hand back, and she smiles, her teeth slightly crooked, but it is a smile that lights up her whole face.

as you walk, ellie points out the different types of trees, their names rolling off her tongue with an ease that suggests she has spent a lot of time outdoors. she tells you about her childhood, how she used to explore the woods behind her house for hours on end. you listen intently, taking in every word, every little detail about her. you imagine young ellie laughing, her mouth wide open, her hair maybe a little shorter. she would never stop talking about random stuffs, too passionate.

you ask her questions, genuinely curious about her life when she was younger. she talks about her best friends in primary school, the mother she has never known and the father life gave her when she needed one the most.

the conversation flows naturally, as if you two have been friends for years, as if you were on an actual date. the warmth of ellie's hand in yours sends a comforting sensation up your arm. you walk slowly, the crunch of leaves underfoot punctuating the gentle silence that has settled between you.

the words just two weeks echo in your mind like a ticking clock. you know you should cherish each moment, but you can't help but feel a sense of urgency. the connection you share is like a wildfire threatening to consume you both, and you are torn between letting it burn out of control or smothering it before it has a chance to spread.

as ellie speaks, her stories paint a picture of a life filled with adventure and loss, and you find yourself feeling more drawn to her. you want to explore every inch of her soul, to understand the person she has become. but the deadline of your return to reality hangs over you like a storm cloud, casting a shadow on the brightness of the moment.

the day passes swiftly, the hours melting into one another as you all enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. the group shares laughs and stories, but your mind is never far from the warmth of ellie's hand. every shared glance feels loaded with meaning, every touch a silent promise of what's to come.

finally, as the sun dips below the horizon, casting the sky in a canvas of pinks and purples, dina suggests heading back. the air is cooler now. the walk back is quieter, the chill of the evening bringing a sense of solemnity to the group.

once you all arrive home, the others scatter to their own rooms, exhausted from the day's adventure. you and ellie linger in the kitchen, helping dina clean up. the mood is light, filled with the contentment of a day well spent.

finally, the last plate is put away, and dina yawns, announcing her intention to turn in early. she gives you both a knowing smile before retreating to join jesse in their room, leaving you two alone in the dimly lit house.

your heart races as you follow ellie up the stairs, the sound of your footsteps echoing through the empty hallway and in her own ears. the anticipation is almost too much to bear. the door to your shared room clicks shut behind you, and the sudden silence feels deafening.

the room is bathed in moonlight, the curtains fluttering gently in the cool breeze. you both stand there, looking at each other, the air thick with unspoken desires. you are not quite sure who moves first, but suddenly you are in her arms, her lips pressing against yours in a kiss that feels like coming home. it is tender, it is fiery, and it is everything you have been craving since the moment you saw her that first day.

now, you know.

'i don't want to take it slow, ellie...' you say against her lips. 'i want to enjoy every minute of it, of us'

ellie pulls back slightly, looking into your eyes with an intensity that makes your knees wobble. 'i know' she whispers.

————

august 15th

i have always loved the first thing of everything. they are needed. it is what makes my life brighter. it gives a purpose.

the sun disappears early as the days pass. tonight, it disappeared and the last thing it lightened was her eyes. and at that moment, her eyes were on me. it was beautiful.