“Yeah.”
We both stand awkwardly in silence, the moment stretching until I can no longer stand it.
“Okay, well, I gotta get to it.” I pinch my lips and wave. “See you around, then?”
“Yeah,” he repeats with a smile. “See you around, Rachel.”
I swallow back the lump in the throat as I make my way back to my room. This time, I thought for sure we had a moment. It couldn’t have been only me. I’m not that socially impaired, am I?
Or maybe we did have a moment, but he doesn’t want to kiss me. Guys like him might prefer taller girls with fuller curves.
I reach my apartment and quietly make my way to my room before I change into my pajamas and crash on my bed. My roommate is asleep, and our two other roommates are likely sleeping as well in the second bedroom. I don’t have anyone I can talk to about this.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. Puzzled, I take it out, only for my heart to skip a beat at the sight of the unknown number’s message:
Unknown number
Rachel, it’s Karan. Just realized I forgot to give you something. Can you meet me in the Western stairwell?
I quickly fumble on the tiny keyboard to type out my response:
Yeah omw
Karan
Cool
I look down at my pajamas—pink plaid shorts and a soft pink tee—wondering if I should change. I’m not even wearing a bra. Is it too early for him to see me like this? What if it makes him uncomfortable?
But I’m too wired and impatient to change, and so I rush out of my room just as I am, bare feet and all.
I don’t know what he wants to give me. All I know is that I’ll take any extra moment I can get with this boy.
I arrive at the stairwell first, but within seconds, the sound of the heavy metal door echoes from above. My heart thunders against my ribs, my hands trembling from anticipation. I do my best to remain motionless next to the wall, even when I catch a glimpse of Karan rushing down the stairs, red-faced and nearly out of breath.
“You’re here,” he breathes out in relief.
“I am.”
He stops in front of me, hesitation painting his soft features. Only a second passes before he speaks, but it extends into infinity as I wait.
I don’t dare touch him.
“I, uh…” Karan looks away, then back to me, a newfound confidence glinting in his eyes. “I forgot to give you this.”
With one step, he closes the distance between us, pressing me up against the wall; his hand lifts my chin just as he leans forward to bring his lips to mine.
The tightrope wound up in my spine finally snaps at the relief of his body against mine, of our lips pressed together; my hands weave through his hair, his pulse quickening against my collarbone. His free hand tightens around my hip, and I’m drowned in the sensations of him, his clean taste, the roughness of his short beard against my face, the heaviness and warmth of his body contrasted to the cold of the wall at my back.
I’m floating, both ultra-aware of my body and so airy I could fly away.
This feelsso right.
It’s all over too fast when he lifts his head up, his hand still cradling my cheek. The warm brown irises of his eyes are nearly taken over by his blown-out pupils.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all day. I couldn’t let you fall asleep without…”
“Hey!” a shrill voice calls out from above.
