Amber

I didn't know what I was doing, all I know is that her being so close ignited something in me. She was always meek and quick to shy away, not to mention the occasional stuttering. Tonight she was different however, well not completely.

I was actually impressed with her persistence earlier in the kitchen, and now again when she doesn't flinch from my advances. That was until her eyes fluttered shut, hiding away her lovely coffee colored orbs from me.

I glanced down her body, noticing the rapid rising and falling of her chest, her hands clenched into a fist below us. So, I decided that it was enough. I turned my neck slightly and reached for the remote, backing away slowly and settling down on my seat.

After a few seconds, she opens her eyes looking at me, noticing my comfort, then down on her lap. Her body leaning back against the couch. It was quiet, nothing but the pitter patter of rain against the roof and windows.

"Should we start the movie over? You weren't exactly watching awhile ago." she doesn't meet my eyes but she nods at the question. So I rewind it and pressed play then glanced at her discreetly.

Was I too much?

I looked at our mugs, the steam no longer evident so I picked up hers, handing it to her. She quietly accepted it, bringing it to her lips though I couldn't see much when her hair drapes over her face.

I looked back at the screen, watching it for the most part. Taking sips from my cup, eventually finishing it and stealing quick looks at the girl beside me, her head was low but I could tell she was watching.

What surprised me was the sudden slamming of her cup on the table, eyes holding a bit of fury in them. I looked at the scene before us and it was both women encapsulated in each other's arms, both seemingly wanting one of them just to make a  move. And when one did, the other simply said no then pulled away.

"Easy there" her eyes snaps at me, then shakes her head.

"You can finish the movie, I'm feeling unwell so I'll head up." she took long strides and in no time reached her room. I hear the door shut close and I'm left there with confusion with a bit of guilt.

This seems to be a common occurrence when I'm with her.

"Idiot" I say more to myself then shut off the television and grabbed our mugs, placing it in the sink. Locking up the place and turning off the lights before heading to her room. As I enter, her voice stops me from my tracks.

"You can sleep in the guest room, I wouldn't want you to force yourself further by being with me." her tone had a bite to it, blinking away the sudden change in attitude.

"Alright, good night." receiving no reply, I head out and closed her door along the way. Going inside the other room and sitting down on the foot of the bed. I sigh and start taking off my shoes and socks, going to the bathroom to wash my face, gratefully seeing a new spare toothbrush and toothpaste, using it.

A flash of light graces the room as I looked towards the window and noticed that it started to rain hard. We all know what comes after that light, a cracking in the heavens could be heard, loud but not enough to startle me.

Suddenly, Ms. Carter's words rang inside my head. I quickly finish up and walked briskly back to her room, slowly opening the door, calling out her name gently. As I opened it further, I didn't see her on her bed making my eyebrows furrow.

I could've sworn I heard her voice.

"Caterina?" my eyes were quick to adjust to the darkness, scanning all over and finally landing on a figure curled over into the corner, shaking. I went over to her and crouched down.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm here" her body scoots away from me but another noise could be heard, louder than the previous one. Her body jumps to mine and I don't hesitate to wrap my arms around her trembling form, rubbing the side of her arm gently.

The booming noises kept coming one after another, her whimpers evident to my ears and I decided to bring her over to my room, noticing that the noises are more muffled over there.

"Hey, could you stand we need to move away from here." she nods and I carefully helped her stand up, as we were about to walk, a brighter flash could be seen even from her covered windows followed by a booming thunder. Her legs give out, her breathing ragged as her body trembles.

"Okay this won't do" I put her arm around my neck and mine below her knees, the other supporting her back as I stood up, her face hiding on the crook of my neck, her hold around my neck tightening. I walking towards my room and set her down on the bed. I grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around her.

Another flash enters the room, and in that moment of light I could see the fear her eyes held. I looked around and cursed under my breath, only now noticing the lack of drapes. I cup her cheeks to make her focus solely on me, her terrified eyes meet my calm ones as I silently try to appease her even for a bit.

"I'll be back, okay? I got an idea" I get up quickly but she grabs my hand, it was ice cold.

"Please don't leave me." she whimpers but I take her hand off mine and rub the back of it gently.

"I'll be quick, I promise." she hesitates but nods nonetheless. I sprint back to her room, grabbing her own blanket, thanking the gods that it was thick and headed back. I get on the bed, kneeling beside her and threw the blanket over us, successfully shielding us from the flashing lights.

One problem down.

I racked my brain for a solution and at the moment, could only thought of one thing.

"Lie down for me, princess" she looks at me confused, but another noise graces us and she immediately does as she's told. I lay beside her and put my arm under her head, pulling her close to me, her ear presses against my chest, hoping that my heartbeat is enough to distract her from the chaos.

"Ignore everything else, just listen to me, got it?" her head nods against me as I gently run my fingers through her hair. We stayed that way for a few minutes, hours? Who knows, my sole purpose was to ease the girl's mind, to comfort her the only way I know how. She flinches occasionally whenever another thunder could be heard, so I turn her body to let her lay on her side facing me and draping my arm around her waist as I hold her close.

"So do you actually remember calling me princess, or do you call everyone that?" she says lowly after a few minutes of silence, I chuckle.

"Does it bother you that much?" combing my fingers through her hair then pulling my hand away slowly, watching the soft strands fall down graciously.

"Just answer the question" i snicker at the slight attitude, twirling a few strands of hair around my finger. She looks up when I don't answer, I meet her gaze just as I brought my finger up to my lips.

"No I don't remember and no, I don't call everyone that. It just...suits you" her cheeks flush and I couldn't help the growing smirk on my face."Why?"

"No reason" she answers, averting her eyes.

"Tell me" I encourage, letting the lock of hair go.

"Was just curious, no biggie." she shrugs, still refusing look at me. I tuck a few loose strands of hair behind her ear, leaning in close.

"Do you like it, princess?" my voice lowers and I could visibly see her shiver, and I'm pretty sure it isn't from the cold. My smirk widens when she continues to not look my way, so I trap her chin between my forefinger and thumb.

"Why so quiet now hm?" lifting it up gently, grinning at her amusingly. "Where's that attitude of yours, come on. Answer me" her eyes were dilated and slightly wavering, my fingers no longer on her chin as she continues to peer at me.

I didn't notice how close we got till I felt her breath against my lips, her eyes flickering to them almost immediately and so does mine to hers.

Have some self control.

But that thought went through the window when she pushes herself against me, our lips meeting in an innocent kiss. But as quick as it started, the quicker it was over when she immediately pulls away, her eyes widening while gasping at what she had done.

"I'm sorry, I was just- right I should go back to my room. The rain must've stopped now um good night." and with that she lifts the covers off,  trudging out the room and out of my arms. It felt cold, I felt cold. As I lay there unmoving, my mind still stunned by what she did and for once I'm left breathless.

I sigh and lay on my back, draping an arm over my eyes as my mind spirals. Cursing under my breath at how entrapped I am by the small act. Debating whether I should confront her, say sorry, or something.

To my better judgment, I let it go. I don't want to be overbearing, plus she might not want me near her. That last thought helped me decide that I'd distance myself from her, I'm sure that's what she wants. I mean that's what I would've wanted. To keep things professional.

But deep down I knew, I wanted more.

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You're very welcome 😏

Happy new year everyone! 🎉