I walk towards the open door and glance up at the dark clouds. It might as well be midnight sky.
To my surprise, Ivy stands beside me, leaning on the opposite door. “I love it when it rains here,” she says so quietly, I’m not even sure she wanted me to hear. “It’s refreshing.”
“I’ve never seen it like this before.”
Her eyes glisten as she turns to me. “It’s relaxing. I love the sunshine, but this is a close second.”
I keep my eyes focused on her as she speaks, and she catches me staring—again. A strike of lightning flashes through the sky,and her lips part slowly as she wraps her cardigan around her body.
Then she sits down on the floor by the back door and stares up at the clouds. I perch beside her, drawing my legs into my chest. She doesn’t tell me to leave, probably because she’s not looking at me. She’s fascinated by the storm, and I can see the calmness reflecting in her eyes.
The clouds are lit up by strikes of silver lines over and over until the thunder erupts, and I’m sure the floor vibrates. It sounds like something from an apocalypse movie.
Ivy twists towards me after we sit in silence for a few minutes, she copies my actions and hugs her knees into her chest. “How is your mum?” she asks with such delicacy that it sparks something inside my heart.
I open my mouth and lick my bottom lip. “Okay.” I lower my gaze to my knees. “She started her treatment, and she’s in good hands with my dad. That’s why I’m here, because I couldn’t sit at home by myself all summer waiting for an update. So far she’s reacting to it, but it hasn’t been long enough to know if it’ll help her in the long run.”
“Well, I hope the treatment works,” she says softly. “I’m glad she’s able to receive this kind of treatment. And like you said, she’s in good hands.”
My teeth clamp down on the inside of my cheek. “I’m a little surprised you remembered.”
“Why?”
“Well, we were a little intoxicated.” I shrug. “And I’ve started to realise that people don’t like talking about sick people.”
Ivy’s brows pull down into a tight frown. “Really?”
“Yeah.” I exhale a long breath. “A mention of illness, treatment, possible death. People don’t want to know. So I appreciate you asking about her, it honestly means a lot.”
She stares back at me, the whites of her eyes glistening as she listens. I’m not sure what flashes past her face, but it looks like empathy or consolation. It practically sets my heart on fire from the way she looks at me, not with pity or sorrow, but genuine understanding of how I must feel.
“Well, if you want someone to talk to. I’m here.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“How are you feeling?”
I shrug. “Okay, I guess. I’m just glad I have company.”
“I’m sorry for what I said at the party.” She chews on her lip.
My brows furrow. “Sorry for what?”
“I probably didn’t sound very welcoming.” Her eyes fall an inch. “But you are welcome here. I don’t want you to be alone at a time like this, I was just… startled by your arrival.”
My lips curl to the side. “Well, the feeling is mutual. I panicked and thought maybe you and Finn were together or something when I saw you.”
Ivy pulls a face. “Ew. So gross.”
“Yeah,” I chuckle.
She stares back at me with big green eyes, and I glance down at her lips that have been torturing me for weeks. I’d be a fool if I said I didn’t want to kiss the shit out of her again. Until neither of us can breathe, and she’s panting into my mouth for more.
A gust of wind sends the rain splattering into the kitchen, droplets coating Ivy. She yelps at the coldness, and before I know what I’m doing, I lean over to grab her waist and tug her along the kitchen tiles where it’s dry.
The warmth of her leg spreads into mine as I position her beside me. It stretches across my skin with comfort and calmness. She glances up at me, and I tilt my head down at the same time.
She swallows, eyes becoming wider, then dilating as she takes me in.
