Chapter 3: I would marry you too
Her heart was breaking all over again. She was so sure she had taken care of it. Her silent hopes tucked away so neatly. It would not happen again – not like before.
But now, as she found herself reaching behind books, trying not to wake up Telly, who slept soundly in her bed, slowly retrieving her secret stash of cigarettes, she feared her plan had failed. Moving out of the bedroom and sneakily exiting to the terrace, she felt the cold humidity of the night hit her bones. With tear stained cheeks and shaking hands, she lit up a fag and inhaled sharply. She closed her eyes, letting the smoke dizzy her senses. Letting out a long puff through moist lips, she watched the night sky, barely visible behind scattered clouds.
Her chest felt heavy making it hard to take a breath. The cigarette shouldn't help, but it calmed her nerves. Slowly the feeling of loss in her sweltering lungs eased down. The wreckage left already familiar to her heart. That old persistent wound couldn't bleed anymore, though Naya knew now that the scar would never truly disappear.
"Damn you." Naya whispered to the loneliness surrounding her, new tears rolling down currently paled cheeks.
She felt weak and tired, sobbing against her will; the cigarette forgotten between her fingers.
"Damn you, Heather."
They were sitting inside her Range Rover, safely parked on the sandy ground - a good distance away from the edge - as they watched the grayish ocean before them. Heather was mind-blowingly beautiful that day, making it hard for Naya to concentrate on the calming waves in front of her. The blonde had her hair tucked in a messy ponytail, soft blonde strands loose against her cheeks. She was dressed simply - a white tee under a navy blue jacket, form fitting jeans and black soldier boots. She looked so peaceful, her head resting on Naya's shoulder while studying the view.
"Not to ruin the moment or anything, but I'm pretty sure I brought us to a lovers' spot."
Heather laughed lightly against her skin bringing goosebumps to Naya's arms.
"No seriously, did you see all the cars on the way here? All couples. I tell you, we're definitely on a make out spot."
"I noticed."
Naya looked down to her friend, cracking up slightly. She was nervous. Why was she nervous? She decided it was best to keep talking.
"Well, I swear I didn't bring you here to get some hot smooches. Although I'm getting a little jealous of all the action they're getting."
"If we were to smooch, I'm sure they would be the jealous ones. It would be so hot." Heather spoke jokingly.
"Coulda, shoulda, woulda."
Heather shifted, facing Naya straight on.
"Does that mean you want my smooches?"
Naya laughed loudly. It sounded so forced that she couldn't help but blush.
"I'm just saying… They're lucky."
Heather's eyes were still fixed on her, but Naya didn't dare look back. After a short, yet apparently never-ending pause, the dancer jumped out of the car. Her eyes grinning as much as her smile.
"Let's go for a swim!"
"What? Are you crazy?" Naya shouted back, but the blonde was already sprinting to the stairs leading to the beach.
"Heather, please don't! You're gonna get sick! Ryan will be on my back the whole year if you turn up with pneumonia."
"Oh come on, drama queen! It isn't that cold."
A strong wave washed up by the beach, covering Heather to the knees. The girl turned to Naya with a goofy, spooked look.
"Okay, maybe it is fucking cold."
"See, now let's go."
Naya couldn't help the smile on her face. That crazy girl was adorable. Heather moved closer to Naya before a teasing look covered her eyes. Naya turned serious immediately.
"Step away from the ocean, Morris."
Heather laughed with a huge toothy grin before turning around and running toward the waves, jumping in without a care in the world. Naya cringed at the thought of the freezing water now enveloping the blonde's body. Heather came to the surface again, her t-shirt and panties soaking wet. Every limb on her body was shaking, but the happiness on her face could warm the entire continent.
"It's cold!", she screamed laughingly.
"You don't say, genius? Come back here!"
"Come and get me, then." Heather replied, as an inviting finger beckoned Naya.
"No way. I'm not turning this day into a cheesy chick flick where I jump to save the girl and we end up swimming in that frozen water like two lovebirds. If you want hypothermia, you have it by yourself."
Heather shook her head chortling before diving again. Naya fisted her jean shorts frustratingly. She would go get Heather if the girl continued to act so stubborn. No point in pretending she wouldn't. Already nearing the water with a dreadful look on her eyes, she was surprised by the image of a slow rising Heather, adjusting her hair while she walked out of the ocean's wild winter waves, looking as relaxed as someone who just left a Jacuzzi. As soon as the wind touched her skin, she accelerated her steps until her arms closed around Naya in a breathtaking hug. Naya whined at the cold damping her shirt but couldn't stop her arms from shielding the taller girl.
"I hate you, crazy ass woman."
"Hmmm…" Heather mumbled against her neck. "I love you too."
They drove back in comfortable silence. Naya turned up the heat, her car becoming a sauna on wheels. She could feel the sweat building on her forehead, but she wouldn't risk getting Heather sick. She glanced to her right, catching the blonde snoozing against the window, comfortingly wrapped in a blanket Naya usually kept on her trunk.
"You'll be the death of me." She whispered adoringly.
When they arrived at Naya's house, the brunette nudged the blonde softly.
"Wake up, sleepyhead."
"Hmmm… No. I'm good."
Naya snorted amused, her hand finding the blonde's and caressing it gently.
"Come on. Let's change you into some dry clothes."
"Pervert."
"I'll make you hot chocolate."
Heather opened her eyes slowly.
"You swear?"
"I swear."
Heather brought her free hand around Naya's neck, pulling the brunette closer.
"I would marry you, you know."
Naya giggled, feeling Heather's breath against her mouth.
"Wake up, silly. You don't know what you're saying."
"But I do." Heather continued seriously, eyeing Naya's lips. "Today was perfect. You're the best company like in any day."
Heather gripped Naya's neck softly but with purpose.
"And you take care of me. I feel so safe when I'm with you."
Naya chuckled, feeling the heat rise up to her cheeks.
"I'm short but I'm tough." She met blue eyes, adding. "I'll protect you. Always."
Heather smiled widely, her eyes still half-closed and her breath warm from the quick nap. Naya felt the firm hand around her neck pull her closer and before she knew it, salty lips were on hers. Heather kissed her softer than anyone had before, but there was a firmness there that made Naya's heart jump dangerously, making her weak at the knees. Heather smiled against her mouth, leaving a peck on her lips before breaking contact.
"You got your smooch, after all."
Naya smiled, a wave of heat washing over her. She couldn't remember ever feeling so happy.
"You were right. They would definitely be jealous."
Heather laughed easily, resting her head against Naya's neck. Her hands travelled to black locks, keeping the brunette there for a while longer - just a while longer -, trapping that moment in the confines of Naya's jeep.
Naya pressed her knuckles against her eyes, drying her tears. She inhaled deeply, feeling the cold breeze invade her pulsing lungs. She threw the remainders of her cigarette to the trash can and walked back to the house. She washed her hands meticulously and sprayed perfume over her hair before entering the bedroom. Carefully she got in bed next to Telly, closing her heavy eye-lids, ready to let sleep take over.
"You know you can talk to me about it, if you need to."
Naya didn't move, smiling sadly at Telly's caring voice behind her.
"I know, baby."
Telly wrapped his arms around the petite brunette, gripping harder as he felt her shaking form crumble in his arms. She fell asleep moments later, leaving only Telly awake in the slumber of her room.