AN: Hey, muffins. It's been too long, but to be fair, I did have to tackle the ACT this month. But I'm back, hyped up on a three day binge of Carmilla, and my newly dyed hair. Alright, time to channel the gay.
Chapter Thirty Seven- Ikea Parking Lot
"Do you really need that cart? The box won't be very big" I inquired with a cocked brow. Ronnie grinned back at me, then wheeled her large, industrial cart past another aisle stocked with boxed furniture.
"C'mon, we both already know that the cart isn't necessary. But you can still let me have my fun, cutie" she replied playfully. I merely rolled my eyes and walked quickly beside her in order to keep up with her longer strides.
"Memories of shopping with Ymir are resurfacing" I stated blandly, vividly recalling her similar antics. "Hopefully this outing doesn't end in a panic attack as well" I added under my breath.
"Oh! Aisle Eleven!" Ronnie exclaimed, using her entire body to make a wide turn with the heavy transportation object. She began to build up speed, then dashed down the aisle as her cart squeaked along ahead.
I discreetly shook my head and made a much less dramatic turn toward our destination.
The sky was a dark blue hue by the time we were finished shopping. I was no longer sure of how long we'd been in there. After seeing the lamplights flicker on, however, I'd say we took longer than I had initially expected.
"It was a pretty great date, I'll admit" Ronnie stated, packaged table resting against her shoulder as we exited the store. "I mean, we had great and deep conversations, you blushed a lot, there was cake. Hell, I think I already hear wedding bells in the distance."
"As far as I recall, neither of us confirmed that this was a date" I reminded her. "Also, you're ridiculous."
Brushing off my additional comment with short laugh, she replied "Oh, so now you want another date? I thought I was the one cheating the terms of our agreement" she teased. I assume she would lean down and look at me in that smug way of hers if it wasn't for the heavy box that she had to keep propped up.
"You flatter yourself" I responded simply, then upon examining the parking lot, realized how far out she had parked her Jeep. "You sure that you're okay carrying it?"
"Like you said earlier, it's not very big. Plus, I've got those lesbian muscles. Trust me, the moment you admit to lesbianism, boom."
I rolled my eyes dramatically. "Who ever said I was a lesbian?"
"I'm not exactly making any bold assumptions, but come on. I see the way you look at me" she said haughtily. Ah, back to the teasing.
"Hm. Have you considered that maybe I just want you for your lesbian muscles?"
She abruptly halted and glanced down at me with wide eyes. "I've been played." Then upon noticing my surprised reaction, burst into laughter for the second, or perhaps even third, time that day.
"Ridiculous" I repeated aloud, holding back snickers of my own. Her overly cheerful attitude was somehow contagious. I suppose that's why she wore the persona so exuberantly.
Our conversation on the way back to the car remained just as light. It was a good contrast to the previous topic. And yet as oddly enjoyable I found Ronnie's company to be, I already was preparing myself for it to end. I think I'd need a few days with minimal social contact in order to properly recharge after this evening.
Once we got to the car, Ronnie loaded the table in the trunk while I texted Sasha that I was on my way home. I'd been fairly vague to her about my day's activities, so I was hoping that she wouldn't ask too many questions about it when I got there. I still wasn't sure how I felt about it all, not to mention exactly how much I wanted her to know.
The text was sent, the table was loaded, and both Ronnie and I stood at the back of the Jeep. My head was a bit of a jumbled mess, yet I still felt the urge to say something about our, er, outing. Or date. Maybe it was a date, I cautiously thought.
"Thanks for coming out here with me. I tend to get pretty bored when left alone too long" she informed with a polite smile.
"I thought artists were introverts" I replied, keeping it on the level of small talk.
"Not all of us are." As we lapsed into a still quiet, Ronnie looked out over the wide parking lot, seemingly contemplating something. "I wasn't kidding about what I said earlier, Christa. I really like you."
Taken aback, I gaped for a bit of time. I then started to clench and unclench my left fist nervously, wracking my brain for a proper response. I could try to avoid the topic of feelings, especially considering that I didn't have my own completely mapped out. Then again, I could dive right in and sort it out myself. The bolder option was the scariest of the two, obviously.
"I actually enjoyed… this, too. I really don't know how to make sense of everything right now, honestly. I had fun and I think… I think I'd want to do this again." It all came out in a sort of jumble; quick words with awkward pauses in between. And then I was simply out of breath.
She was shocked, and then came the excitement, and then the expression of absolute elation. "Really?" Ronnie gasped out, taking a step closer. Her hands were lifted in a sort of joyous gesture. I reached out and laid my hands atop hers, both to ensure a reasonable distance and to hold my slightly shaking body steady.
"Y-yeah." She looked down at our hands. She noticed the physical contact, I thought in relief. It wasn't just me who was hyper-aware of every little detail.
She huffed out an unexpected laugh, and rubbed her thumb along the top of my hand, our palms still touching. "Sorry. I don't know why I'm getting so excited. I think you just took me by surprise, is all" she said.
I shook my head in exasperation. "I thought you had more confidence than that."
"As if you can ever be that sure." The corner of her mouth moved up in a cute half smile. My erratic heartbeat turned into a gentle thrumming.
I let go of her hands, and in my absence her arms to dropped to her sides. Then I breathed deeply and took two steps forward. All of those messy thoughts within my head began to go blank. My reasoning and constant excuses died out, leaving a calm silence. I stood on my tip-toes, and reached up to wrap my arms around her neck.
She was at a loss for words at first, then seemed to snap into her instincts, cautiously placing her hands on my hips. She was accustomed to this, I'm sure. Definitely much more experienced. This must be second nature to her.
"Would it be okay if I kissed you?" Ronnie asked softly.
Words, I vaguely thought, where are your words? I wasn't in any state to be smart and articulate about it, so I let my heart do the talking instead of my confused brain. "I think so" I eventually answered.
"If you don't like it, just push me away, alright?" She instructed in that same gentle tone.
I nodded, and she leaned in. My eyelids fluttered closed, then without another instant ticking past, her lips were on mine. They were smooth and warm and… More different from what I was used to than I had previously thought they'd be. This was a whole other playing field.
And in that same moment, something in the back of my brain clicked. I kissed her back, and everything made sense. She was both comfortable and exciting. The kind of fire that you could get lost in. So her lips moved against mine, hesitant at first, then more eager as time waned on.
My first kiss with a girl took place in an Ikea parking lot. And to be honest, I liked it. I liked it quite a lot.
AN: Not entirely sure what kind of reaction this will incite, so I'm just gonna go hang out in that corner over there. Review if you want to.