Falling For You

017

Zuri

"Did I make things complicated by telling her how I felt, Mamma?" I sighed into the mouthpiece.

"I think the timing could have been better," my mom spoke honestly, and I swallowed, "I know. I was just scared of losing her to someone else."

"I understand, honey, I do," I could almost see my mom nod over the phone. "Now is not the time to regret anything. What's done is done, and that's okay. It was a good thing that you told her, regardless."

"But look what's happened," I felt my voice crack, "she hasn't been home in two days."

"To be fair, honey, you asked for space," Mom reminded me gently.

"Sé que lo hice, pero not in this way. I don't know what's going on with her or where she is... what if she went back to Luna?"

"Now, honey, if you really want to know what's going on with her, there's only way to find out. And that's by asking her. Why don't you just shoot her a text? And why does it sound like you don't trust her?"

"Why'd you say that?"

"You assume she's gone back to the other girl when that's who caused all of these in the first place. If you believe she truly cares about you, do you really think she'd go back to her?"

I bit my lower lip at my mom's words.

Trust. I was struggling with trust. Fear, too. I didn't have any doubts about the feelings I had for Lee. I want to be with her. However, if I wanted to, I would have to be confident in us.

I missed her so much. And two days without seeing her was doing a number on me. I longed for her presence and the way she made everything okay. I missed our movie nights and the way she'd patiently wait for me as I paused the film to rant or ramble about whatever was possibly happening. She would fall asleep on me sometimes, but then, she would look so peaceful and at ease. I missed how generous she was with her compliments and how she made me even more confident in my body in the process without her necessarily realizing it. She was so kind, and she always made it her duty to ensure I never ran out of paint or canvases.

We weren't officially together, but Lee was also such a lover girl. I'd gone from desiring the attention and affection she showered on Luna to somewhat experiencing it as well, even as friends, and God, was she the most adorable. I noticed how she put me first these days. And how she talked more about the things I like.

I missed her so much.

*

Bailey

If anyone told me I'd be back in Birmingham any time soon, I would have argued. Birmingham was where I was born and bred. Birmingham was where my mother still lived.

I felt a deep, deep emptiness after what went down with Zuri. And when she requested space, I didn't know how to give it whilst being in the same house as her. It was torture. And so, one day, I found myself driving back to the one place I never thought I'd be back in so soon.

Home.

Zuri had always wanted me to mend my relationship with my mother, but I wasn't entirely sure if I wanted to. Left to me, I was comfortable with our strained relationship, but I also knew this would make Zuri happy. And so I decided to do it.

Because I'd do almost anything for her as long as it was within my power.

It was a bit awkward at first— with my mother. I'd spent three days already, and it still wasn't really the smoothest, but she was more than excited that I came around. I couldn't stop thinking about Zuri, though, and I wanted nothing other than to see her.

It was at that point I decided to head back.

*

There was nothing like being in your own home, and I felt the warmth the moment I walked into the place I shared with Zuri. Over the years, Zuri had made it feel like home, and I loved being there.

I came in face to face with Zuri as I walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

"Hi," she looked surprised. I wanted to do nothing but hug her. She stood in one of my biggest t-shirts, her hair pulled up into a messy bun. The shirt was stained with flour, and there was a whisk in her hand.

"Hey," I responded, a small smile on my face. I grabbed the bottle of water from the refrigerator and left the kitchen. As much as I had been away and missed her so much, I had to force myself to remember that she had requested some time to herself.

I was just happy to be back.

*
Zuri

Hi.

Hi?

That was all I could say amidst the overwhelming feeling of missing her and just wanting her around? I wanted to jump into her arms the moment I saw her. I wished I could kiss her.

Lee's presence caused me to brighten up, and I finished making the churros I'd been craving all day. It was currently 6pm, and I knew Lee was probably hungry, so I decided to take some churros to her for her to snack on before coming to make our actual dinner. Now that she was back, the motivation to cook something extra returned. Since she left, I'd only been feeding on pasta and noodles. It was never like that when Lee was there. My nurturing side jumped out a lot more when Lee was home. The urge to just go all out when it came to our feeding was a lot more when she was home.

I carried the bowl of churros with a smaller bowl filled with nutella to her room. After knocking and poking my head into her room, I saw that she wasn't there, but I knew she was definitely in the outside room.

I wasn't wrong. She lay flat on one of the couches, looking upwards at the sky. I wondered what was going through her mind because she barely even noticed that I walked in.

"Lee?" I called softly, and she immediately sat up, our eyes locking. "I brought you some churros."

"Thank you," she nodded, smiling softly. And as I handed the bowl to her, I realized in that moment that I wanted nothing but to be with her. I was about to leave the room when I turned back, "God, Lee, I'm so sorry."

I moved to the couch and sat close to her, "I'm sorry, Lee. I don't want time anymore. I know what I want."

"I'm sorry for hurting you, Zuri..." Her voice trailed off,  "I shouldn't have gone over to Luna's-"

"No, no," I shook my head. "She was in pain, it's okay that you went. I'm sorry-"

"You have nothing to apologise for-"

"No, I do. I'm sorry I didn't trust you enough, and I want to trust you, Lee. I know what I want, it's you. I want you."

"I want you too, Zuri," she looked into my eyes. "The past few days have been horrible."

"It's been hell for me. Where did you go?"

"Birmingham," she answered. "I went to see my mom."

"Your... mom?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "It was awkward at first, but she was happy I came around."

"I'm so glad you went, Lee," I was insanely happy that she visited her mom. It warmed my heart.

"I missed you, Zaza," she said softly.

"I missed you, too," I nodded before leaning in slowly to plant a soft kiss on her lips.

We spent the rest of the night cuddling, eating dinner, and then cuddling again. I didn't want to be away from her for that long ever again.

-
thank you! woman_inspector for suggesting the nickname 'zaza". it's super cute!