The other night
Jessie made sure that she wouldn't awake her team-mates, snatched at her raincoat and left their whereabouts in the middle of the forest. She wanted to turn back to the place where everything had run its course. The tall trees provided shelter from a stormy and rain-swept night. Jessie's face was hooded, nevertheless, if anyone had crossed paths with her he would have definitely noticed the faint smile right across her porcelain-like face. She had never felt like this before. His off-the-cuff decision had been enough to warm the cockles of her heart. The rain was pouring down, completely drenching her clothes and smearing her heavily applied makeup, but she followed the small gravel walk to an abandoned lagoon, surrounded by dense scrubs that would block the view of curious strollers. Jessie shook with cold, perhaps it hadn't been the best time to indulge in reminiscences, but she wanted to recall the events of the other night. The air smelt of pine needles and autumn foliage. She discovered the remains of a faint campfire and an empty can of pineapple slides – his favourite dessert and the only treat they could afford.
Something shiny caught her attention. She picked it up and examined the golden object that was bent out of shape. „James," she whispered softly, flipping the crown cap between her fingers.
It had been a playful and carefree mood yesterday.
She and James had roasted marshmallows, devoured tinned juicy fruits and had treated themselves to a bottle of a light alcoholic beverage. Laughing at all the dumb things they had been involved in and at all the misunderstandings that had caused harmless trouble, they had laid down next to each other, observing the star-lit sky until late in the night.
„Hey Jess," he said, getting serious all of a sudden. She had turned around, facing his emerald-green eyes.
„I'm feeling slightly dizzy," she quipped, grunting, just before bursting out of laughing again. „Oh my head," she closed her eyes. James reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly and then, in the dark of a late summer night, he said something that took her by complete surprise.
„You look so fine, Jess. I know that I tend to be chicken-hearted when it comes to compliments, but you're beautiful. Don't worry about show-case performances, because you're already my queen. You're the one who showed me that true friends still exist and that I should let bygones be bygones. Thanks for restoring my joie de vivre. What would I do without you, Jess? Without your combative spirit and the will to survive? I want you," he confessed, his face so close to hers that she could feel James' breath on her skin. He bent over and placed a tender kiss on her lips. „Please, be mine," he susurrated, kissing her neck and wandering further down to her collarbone.
„James, what are you doing?" she asked, totally overcome by emotions. „Shh," he caressed her cheeks. „You know what? I think I love you," he admitted, smiling shyly as this avowal had taken a moment of effort. She nodded silently, wrapping her arms around his neck, returning the gesture. They had kissed and made out until the fire had expired and the cold of the night had forced them to seek a cosy warm place.
The rain was now coming down in sheets, the storm was raging. Jessie decided to turn back to their abode, before catching a cold. She pocketed the crown cap, ready to present James with a new piece for his oh-so-loved collection of useless junk. Careful, without uttering a sound, she tiptoed into the cabin in the woods, got out of her boots and walked to the chimney, hoping that a gentle flame would heat her chilly body. Someone switched on the lights.
„Where have you been?" James asked, laying a fleece blanket around her shoulders. He made her sit down, offering her a bowl of hot broth. „Nowhere, just wandering aimlessly through the night. Free my mind and be aware of what happened yesterday," she replied, greedily sipping her soup. James hung his head in shame.
„I'm sorry if I've overrun you, such was not my intention," he said, visibly embarrassed. He made her lay down on his lap, running his fingers through her fiery mane. „It's fine, James. I think I love you too. Furthermore, now don't get me wrong, I'm still the independent strong woman, but I guess I need you in my life. I enjoyed all the things you told me and all the sweet things you did," she answered, nestling into his pullover. They ended up in a tight embrace.
„Before I forget," Jessie freed herself from his hugging arms, fishing the crown cap out of her pocket. „Here, for your precious bottle cap collection. It's a little bit buckled, but the rest of your pathetic accumulation doesn't look pristine either, so it will do," she reckoned, trying to appear unaffected. James smiled beatifically.
„You really do care for me, right?" he grinned like a Cheshire-Cat.
„Oh, shut up," she countered, falling asleep in his arms.