Dekka rubbed her sweaty palms against the legs of her pants. She needed to do this; she would explode if she didn't.
The McClub was basically non-existent since the lights of Perdido beach had been turned off. Kids milled about looking lost. In the middle of the crowd was Brianna, The Breeze. Dekka felt her heart start to beat double time. Okay, just do it. Dekka instructed herself, striding over to Brianna. Once close enough for Brianna to see her, Dekka froze in fear, her mind going into internal debate mode.
This is unfair to Brianna; she'll never love you that way, pessimistic Dekka argued.
Life's unfair; tough cookies. No-nonsense, totally head over heels in love with Brianna Dekka argued.
You're being selfish; this will make things awkward and weird between the two of you.
I've been selfless for too long, can't I be a little self absorbed now and then? Besides, things are already weird and awkward. How is this any different?
What happens if she rejects you?
What happens if she doesn't?
Dekka could quite literally argue both sides till kingdom comes. But Brianna was waving her over. Dekka took a deep breath; here goes nothing (except her dignity).
Dekka opened her mouth to speak but Brianna beat her to it.
"This is so lame, why isn't anybody doing anything." Brianna whined and gave a comical pout. Dekka suppressed a smile.
"What is there to do? Power's out, which means no club. By the way, this isn't exactly revelation. The lights have been out for ages. Why the complaining?"
Brianna smirked,
"Jack is sick as a dog. Therefore, boring as hell."
"Aren't you supposed to be taking care of him?" Dekka questioned and then mentally kicked herself. It sounded like she wanted Brianna to go away.
"Aren't you supposed to be sick?" Brianna returned slyly.
Dekka was sick, and getting worse every day (another reason for her sudden inclination to declare her love for Brianna. What would happen if she died? Brianna would never know, who would tell her? Well, probably Howard.)
"Okay, not the point. Look, Breeze, I need to talk to you."
Brianna smiled cheekily,
"About what? Oh my God, do you have a crush?" she said it loud enough for the kids around them to turn around.
"Shhh, can I talk to you privately?" Dekka shot the staring kids her best death glare and they quickly averted their gazes.
"Sure,"
Once under the cover of the makeshift graveyard, Brianna chirped,
"So, who is it? No, no, no." She contradicts herself before Dekka could reply, "let me guess."
Brianna tapped her finger against her lip in mock consideration. Dekka remained silent.
"Edilio? No, too short," Dekka opened her mouth to interrupt but Brianna continued her guessing game, oblivious.
"Quinn? No, too blond. Sam? I wouldn't if I were you, girl, Astrid will kill you. Orc?" at that Brianna shuddered, "Hell to the no, just don't. God, is it just me, or are we having a short supply of male specimen in this place?"
At Dekka's expression of exasperation Brianna switched tactics.
"Right, you play for the other team, don't you?"
Well, at least she was getting warmer.
"Is it Diana? I mean, you know, she's pretty hot."
Dekka just glared, not even dignifying the question with any sort of answer.
"Okay, guess not. Smoking hot or not, she's a bitch. And, trust me, girl like you deserves so much better."
Dekka felt herself flush with pleasure at Brianna's words.
"Right, that leaves Astrid; And unless you have the sudden urge to become Dekka bacon, I wouldn't try it. Lana? Oh, no, too plain in my humble opinion,"
Dekka snorted; Brianna's opinion was anything but humble.
"All that's left is Taylor; who has her eyes on Sam. Sorry bucko, I'm all out of guesses."
Now that Brianna had drew breath, Dekka was able to speak.
"You,"
"Oh yeah, I guess I'd be a candidate, wouldn't I? Well, who is it?"
"You,"
Brianna stared at her, lips parted in surprise.
"Uh, Dekka? I think you misunderstood me. I mean, who's your crush?"
Oh dear. Dekka felt her hopes sink but plowed on anyway, in spite of the train wreck she could see happening in the very near future.
"I love you, Brianna."
Dekka said those three little words that had tormented her for so many nights. Despite the look on Brianna's face, Dekka felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Brianna's hand covered her mouth, her eyes showing too much white. Her whole expression was one of undisguised horror.
"You're telling me this…in a freaking graveyard?"
Dekka was torn between laughing out loud and crying with relief.
"Yeah, I guess. I wasn't really mapping out the exact location or anything…" Dekka trailed off, noticing Brianna's thunderous expression.
"What kind of messed up symbolism is that?"
"Brianna, I really don't think the where is that important."
"Oh, says you. I swear, not a romantic bone in your body." Brianna scoffed.
"So, you're not mad?" Dekka asked, hopeful.
"I'm not mad. I'm in a state of shock, and this is me dealing with the trauma of another chick proclaiming passionate love for me."
Dekka's tone was dubious,
"By criticizing my wooing abilities?"
"Yes."
Well, at least she wasn't trying to burn her at the stake…yet.
"Now back to my criticizing your romantic advances. You're timing? Awful. Overall romantic atmosphere?"
Brianna glanced around. Dekka had to admit: not her best. A kid not ten feet away stumbled and puked over a nearby grave.
"Despicable."
Dekka winced as Brianna went on, and on, and on. She wished Brianna would come out of her state of apparent shock and quit demoralizing her. Once Brianna got onto the subject of Dekka's clothing, she snapped.
"Brianna. Shut up."
"What? I'm only telling you the truth: your wardrobe is one similar to an ex-biker homeless man."
"Urgh. Are you done yet?"
"Your shoes suck,"
"Brianna."
"And you're hair needs to be combed, like, stat."
"BRIANNA," Dekka snarled, outraged.
"I'm done."
"Thank God for small miracles."
Brianna looked smug, practically begging Dekka to prove her wrong.
"In conclusion, Dekka; you're about as romantically appealing as dried up puke."
"Thanks," Dekka commented drily, trying to cover up her hurt.
"I'm sorry; did I bruise your ego?"
Actually, the girl not only bruised it but kicked it while it was down. Ran it over with a Mac truck, put the damn truck in reverse and to top it all off, she spat on her defeated ego's grave.
"So that's your opinion of me?" Dekka questioned stiffly, keeping her head held high.
"Only romantically," Brianna answered candidly, using her hands to brush back her reddish colored hair.
"Hmm," Dekka mused, half to herself.
"Sad, isn't it?" Brianna sang, eyes sparkling with a tinge of malice.
Dekka finally clued in to what Brianna was doing. She was being as mean as possible to deflect Dekka's feelings, to push her away. Why? The likelihood of Brianna granting her mercy because she herself lacked interest was slim to none. So what was she hiding?
"Well, if we're done with the supremely awkward if not horrifying téte-à-téte, I'm going home to check if Jack is still breathing." Brianna turned away and started to walk out of the graveyard.
"Brianna," with what Dekka assumed was great reluctance, Brianna turned back around to face Dekka.
"What?" aggravation colored Brianna's tone.
Not thinking but merely leaping into action, Dekka leaned forward, closing the distance between them, and planted a firm kiss on Brianna's lips. Dekka pressed her mouth greedily against Brianna's, relishing the feeling for having her dream come true. The kiss was quick but it still sent Dekka's heart racing. She was able to briefly hold Brianna's face before she broke away. After a moment Brianna said, rather breathlessly,
"Wow, you have balls."
"You wish,"
Brianna let loose a bark of raucous laughter that made Dekka's heart swell. After the laughter died down Brianna was, for the first time since Dekka met her, at a loss for words. She stared at Dekka like she didn't know who she was looking at. Feeling a vague sense of triumph, Dekka strolled past Brianna not before bending her head so her lips were at her ear,
"How's that for romantic?"Before heading out of the plaza and back to her house; she was smiling the whole way.