Nothing in my life could have prepared me for this, the intense feelings, the curiosity, the desire.
I wrap my arms around his neck, then slowly slide them down his perfectly toned torso, exploring his chest. His hands glide down to the small of my back and he pulls me closer.
He's captured me, all of me. There isn't any part of me that doesn't want him. I know these dangerous feelings aren't going away, the only sensible thing I can do is embrace them.
We pull apart in that gotta-breathe-be-right-back kind of way. His breathing is shaky, I don't know why he's so nervous. I see him clenching his jaw again and taking a deep breath. I find myself resting against the cave wall, waiting for him.
He places his hands on the wall against the sides of my face. Slowly he leans down till I can feel his warm breath against my cheek. "Kristen," he whispers.
I pull him forward by the waist and any self-control he had vanishes. Our lips meet again for another world shattering kiss. I can feel his heart beating fiercely against mine.
And for once in my life, I feel content. I could die now without regrets. All the troubles and all the worries just vanish. Being with him feels right.
I don't know how long we are together after that. All I know is that I never want to leave.
***
We both slip down the caves walls. I'm so physically and mentally exhausted and Kyle is obviously equally drained. I scoot closer to him then rest my head against his shoulder and he plays with my hair.
We sit like that for a while in a comfortable silence.
"Better than I imagined." He puts briefly and to that I just smile and let out a weak laugh. "You have to admit you've imagined it too."
"You have no limits do you?"
"I'm sorry, what are limits?" He says and kisses me gently.
I stare up into his delicate green eyes and wonder about him. All this time, he's listened to me, comforted me and accompanied me. But what have I done for him? What do I even know about him? "Why do you ride a motorcycle?" Is the first question that pops into my head.
"It's cool."
"Other than that?"
"My dad never let me have one because he's a jerk. So once I moved out, I got one straight away."
"Wait, you've moved out?"
"Yeah."
"When?"
"A bit more than a year ago."
"Why?"
"There's a lot to say."
"I have time and ears." I say again, knowing that there is so much more to Kyle than he allows me to see.
"Like I said, my dad's a jerk. So when my cousin moved here, I just decided to live with him."
"Is your dad still you're legal guardian?"
"Yeah."
"Does that mean he would've signed the camp forms?" I ask.
"Let's just say I've gotten good at his signature."
"It sounds like you dislike him."
"I do. He's a worthless no-hoper and I'm glad I don't have to see him anymore."
"Kyle," I say calmly, feeling his chest rising quicker underneath me.
"I'm sorry. I don't usually talk about him much."
"What about your cousin?"
"Toby? He's cool, not as cool as me, but cool. He works as a waiter at this French restaurant down town. I haven't been there, but sometimes he brings leftovers home and it's delicious. Do you like French food?"
"I love it. I can pretty much digest anything from French to Thai to Japanese. I have to admit Greek food is my favourite though. I've been to Greece before, it's amazing. I'd love to go again."
"We should go together some day."
***
When we crawl out of the cave, it's dark and I'm starving. I don't exactly remember the way out either. The sky is so black, like a void that'll gobble me up. Kyle takes my hand and leads me through the forest. Thank God he has a sharp memory.
I look up and see the glow of lights up ahead. "I'm absolutely starving." Kyle says, mirroring my thoughts.
"You wouldn't be if you had stayed with the group." A new voice says.
Kyle and I instantly whip around to spot who approached us. Kyle stands protectively in front of me. He must think I can't defend myself or something, jeez. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. No need to panic." Donahue steps into the light and I push past Kyle.
"Sorry Donahue, I wasn't feeling well and Kyle came and found me to take me back."
"I know what you two were up to." He looks at the both of us with a dead serious expression. Is he going to send us home? "So you don't need to lie, doll."
"It won't happen again. Sir." I add through gritted teeth.
"I know you're just trying to protect your boyfriend, and I'm not one to punish young love. So get lost before Belinda finds you, because I'm quite certain she won't let you out of this one for free."
I smile and nod my head then lead Kyle up to the lights.
We split up as soon as we get into the hall, where everyone is eating dinner, in the hopes it's less likely that we would get caught.
I find Bridget, already half through her plate, stock mine up and then sit with her. She doesn't look happy. "Hey, what's wrong?"
"What's wrong is that you disappeared for a day, telling me we would catch up at lunch. I had to sit alone all day without Harmony and the WHOLE time you were with Kyle instead of me."
"It wasn't like that! Well, it was sorta like that. But I can explain."
"How can you explain?! You knew that I was waiting for you. But you still didn't even bother sending a message? You didn't warn me. You promised!"
"Bridget, aren't you overreacting a little bit?"
"Can you just explain so that we can get over this and then have a pillow fight or something."
"I had another... episode, as you like to call them. I fell off the rock climbing wall because Belinda forced me up."
"Really? O.M.G I'm so sorry Kristen, I didn't know."
"It's ok. Here's the interesting bit... after that Kyle and I-" A bell ringing cuts me off and Belinda walks into the room.
"Everyone be in bed by 8:00 for early activities tomorrow." She yells like a cranky old cat. I think I'm starting to enjoy calling her names inside my head. "Has anyone seen Kristen Editorian? If you have, tell her to meet me immediately."
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Bit of a short chapter, but it was very interesting writing it. I hope you enjoyed it!