“I don’t think I can pretend I don’t have feelings for you, and Iknowyou can’t pretend any longer.”
Serena pauses for what feels like an eternity until she says, “What if the universe decides otherwise?”
Suddenly, everything clicks to place. “You can’t put that on me or be scared of what’s to come.”
“I don’t want to hurt you or be the one getting hurt. I’ve lost too much as it is.”
“I also have.”
Silence fills the air, the weight of our words hanging over us.
As if grappling with her thoughts, Serena breaks the silence, “Relationships scare me. All the doubts and fears I have about it, make me want to run like hell. Then you came and I feel safe with you.” Her gaze finds mine, I can see how much she wants this, us. Without another thought, I lean in slowly, giving her ample time to pull away if she chooses.
She doesn’t.
The kiss is slow at first, but then it feels electrifying. A spark ignites between us, making our defensive walls crumble. In that moment, it’s as if the world around us fades away, leaving only the heat of our bodies pressed together and the soft rhythm of our breaths mingling in the air.
In the heat of the moment, we surrender ourselves completely to each other, our bodies moving in perfect sync as we get lost in the moment. We pull apart briefly, foreheads pressed against each other.
“You’re kissing me.” Serena breathes out like she can’t believe it. “We’re kissing.”
“We can stop if you want–”
“No, no, no,” Serena plants both hands on my chest. “Keep going.”
“What are we?” I say, almost inaudibly.
“I don’t know,” she admits softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “You tell me.”
She tugs at my shirt, pulling me back in for another kiss that sets off fireworks in my mind. I try to sort out the emotions I’m feeling, but can’t seem to get out of the physical sensation of her lips on mine, her fingers swiftly running through my neck and the back of my head as she pushes me tightly against her.
Serena pulls back, our eyes meet and I can’t keep my hands off her. I run a hand through her hair and put a strand behind her ear as my other hand holds her close. I study every inch of her face, how the morning light lets me see her chest rising and falling, and her eyes fixed on my lips.
“Tyler, I–” she cuts herself off, clicks her tongue and looks at me. “I really like you.”
I smile and give her a soft peck on the lips. “I knew that already when you couldn’t keep your eyes off me while tutoring.”
“You couldn’t either,” Serena retorts, her laughter bubbling out. She gives me another peck, then breathes out, “If this is going where I think it is, I need to tell you something.”
With my eyes closed, “Where are we going?”
“I’m a virgin.” Serena spits out.
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“We don’t have to do anything if you’re not comfortable.” I assure her, my fingers tracing gentle circles on her waist. “I like kissing you and I could kiss you all day. We can–”
Serena cuts me off, “Tyler.”
“What?”
“I want to do this with you.”
Serena’s touch on my wrist guides us down onto the blanket, aligning our bodies as if they were made to fit together perfectly. Her hands find the hem of my sweatshirt, tugging it off and throwing it God knows where. Serena pulls back and zips her hoodie off. My pulse pounds in my veins, our eyes connect, and I ask, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” she whispers softly, her eyes holding mine with unwavering determination. “I want you.”
