The Fault Line (GxG)

14. Are you okay up there?

"I don't think I have ever seen you scared," I mock her, and she frowned at me.

"Be grateful," She slaps my arm lightly, and it made me laugh so hard it hurt my stomach.

"Who said I wasn't," I smile, and we remain quiet as we gaze at each other. I could never get enough of looking at her; there is always something new to explore. A unique trait or feature that I'm frightened I would overlook.

"I think I should call my dad," She said, pushing herself up.

"You can stay over if you want to," I offered without looking at her, too embarrassed that I did that.

"It would save me from potential shouting and the need for an explanation on why I'm not at the sleepover with my friends," She chuckles.

"Is that a yes or a no?" I smile, but then she avoided my gaze by looking down at her hands.

"I should probably not," Nico said, and I nodded, knowing that she is right.

"Well, you can come in and wait until someone picks you up," I offered but stumbled out the door on the way to the house.

"Nico!" I turned as I felt something hard hit the back of my head, and my entire body shivered as the snow found its way down my neck. She is laughing her head off, frowning I pick up some snow. As I chase after her, I threw the ball and hit her in the leg. We continue to fire a few more but miss a couple of times.

"Ouch!" I shouted as she hit me in the eye.

"Are you okay?" She asked while I was blinking, feeling it sting. Before I could answer her, she placed her hand on my cheek.

"You are a bit red," She told me, sorry. When she touched me, it felt like a burn on my flesh. A spark that unfroze the winter that I have created. The ice melted from my bones, and the snow vanished, allowing blood to flow through my veins and straight back to my heart. It's like the sun shined on me for the very first time.

"Are you okay down there?" Nico smiled as she brushed my hair behind my ear. I parted my lips, remembering that she said that to me the first time we met.

"Are you okay up there?" I ask in return, and she grinned, the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

"I don't get why you have to be so tall, though," I frowned, but she only bit her lower lip.

"I think it is because" She leans forward, and I close my eyes to the touch of her lips on my forehead. The goosebumps rushed through my skin, like the speed of lightning.

"So I can do that," She whispered, her breath warm on my skin. I can see the longing in her eyes. The same thing I have felt since the day I met her.

"I can't do this, Wilder," She said, and I took a step back because it felt like my heart had frozen over again.

"No," Nico closed her eyes for a moment but then found her way back to me.

"What I mean is that," She takes a deep breath.

"I can't seem to find my happiness and my love for the things that mattered since we kissed. I think you stole everything away from me, but when I am around you, I can feel it all. It's as if you pulled it out of me and took it," She explained to me, and I'm not sure how to respond to that. 

"I can't stay away from you, and I want to know you more than I do now," She added, which feels like a huge relief because I can't take the distance anymore. 

As Nico shivered, I decided to pull her into the house.  She followed me upstairs to my bedroom, but she wouldn't stop trembling. 

"You can lie down," I pointed at my bed in the corner, and with no hesitation, she slipped underneath the duvet. Stunned, my belly tickled by the view of how adorable she looks, holding onto the duvet as her head is resting on my pillow.  

"Come here," She said, and I couldn't stop my eyes from widening. I think she knocked the air out of my lungs. Nico is the only one that has made my body turn against me. I can't control any emotions that she creates. The worst part is that they come out to show at times.

"Are you sleeping number ten?" She chuckles, waking me up from thoughts.

"No," I frowned as I went to turn off the light. Nico turned on the lamp on the nightstand and pushed herself further into the bed. She held up the duvet to invite me in, and I gladly accepted, even though I could feel everything in me shake to the very core. 

I am met with a smile as I laid on the side. The green in her eyes is dominating the brown. No matter how many times I look into them, it's enchanting. As if they could cast a spell, and I would follow each command. 

Those lips which are mocking me, telling me that I shouldn't kiss her. Yet I know now how they feel and how they taste. Perhaps that is the worst part. Once you have made that step, you can't go back. I put my foot through the crack of the door, and that was enough. 

It all went so fast; is that how it is supposed to be? Do you just know right away when you like someone more than you should? Is it normal? I have no idea how can I? I'm seventeen and never felt anything like this before.

Nico's cold fingertips are trailing on my cheek, her mouth partly opened as she is so concentrated on the movement. 

"Where did you get that?" I asked as I touched the scar on her cheek.

"Oh," She shook her head as if she woke up from a dreamful sleep. 

"Soccer, you know," She grinned. 

"It's the perks of being a goalkeeper. I mean, the clash with you and I left me with a few bruises," She wrinkled her nose all so cutely.

"But it seems like you are going to have that for a while," She placed her thumb over the scar on my eyebrow. 

"I don't mind," I told her, and a smile of relief came onto her lips.

"Wilder?" She whispered; a blast of warmth found its way into my chest as my name left her mouth. I have heard it a million times before, but the way she says it is something quite else. As if it was only meant for her to use it.

"Yeah?" I whispered back and waited patiently on what she wanted to say. Nico bites her lower lip, gazing around as if what she wants to say is far too stuck to come out. 

"Can I kiss you?" She asked, and my lips parted.

"What makes you think you have to ask?" I wondered. 

"Because I feel like I have to," She said and laid her thumb on my bottom lip. 

"Why?" I whispered. 

"I'm scared you won't let me if I don't," She answered, and it sounded as if she was afraid that I would reject her. 

"That would never happen," I said, not believing my ears as I dashed forward. My lips crashing on hers, and like the first time, it's pulling me through areas that I have never been before. Emotions that I have never experienced, and my body tingling in places it shouldn't. But I can't stop it. She just tastes that good, and her lips are softer than any cloud could ever be. 

Nico let go slowly but remains so close, the warmth of her breath is hitting my mouth as we both lie in silence. Probably the most comfortable quietness I have ever had. I closed my eyes and tangled our legs together, hoping she will remain until the morning.