''I still don't understand why you like doing this.'' I groaned loudly while dodging tree branches.

''You had the choice to stay on the ship so quit the complaining, you're annoying.'' Eduardo yelled from the front of the line we were currently walking in.

''We usually find some cool treasures.'' Russell, who was walking in front of me, looked over his shoulder and smirked at me.

''We should be there soon.'' Christopher hummed behind me.

I let out an annoyed huff and looked up. The sunlight had trouble getting through the thick jungle ceiling and the air was thick and humid, making it hard to breathe. The visit to this island hadn't been planned at all but after checking the maps and doing some research, Eduardo told Morgan about a treasure here and the order to dock was given. It was fun to watch them all get excited as they got ready. Eduardo in particular looked like a child on Christmas Eve as treasure hunting had always been his favorite thing to do ever since we were kids. Seeing him like that made me smile.

''We're here!'' Morgan shouted happily from the front of line.

''Thank God.'' I mumbled and pushed forwards to get through the thick vegetation. Some of it had been cut down by Morgan and Eduardo, but it was still hard to walk in it and it had made me curse several times. As if that wasn't bad enough, it felt as if I was being eaten by insects.

''Here.''

I looked up as a hand was presented for me and met Eduardo's glance. I took his hand carefully and let him help me up the steep step.

''Thanks.'' I hummed and softly smiled at him.

He nonchalantly nodded before turning around and continued to follow Morgan. I looked up, spotting the temple like building in front of us. I stood in awe and looked at it until Eduardo shouted, ''Keep up or you'll be left behind!'' With a slight frown, I ran up to them and joined them as they we discussing how to get inside the temple.

It was grand and utterly impressive. I stood still and took in the sight of the temple in front of me. I had expected a ruin, maybe some large rocks scattered in a small area, but the ancient building still stood tall, the stone being remarkably well-kept and the only sign of neglect was the vegetation growing on the rough stone walls. The only ruins I had ever laid eyes on were those of burned down buildings or houses that had been left alone in abandonment.

I watched as Eduardo and Russell argued while Christopher tried to make them calm down but it was pretty much in vain. The insults flying between them didn't stop before Morgan exclaimed a loud sound and the heavy door slowly opened.

''There we go!'' Morgan laughed and ventured inside without hesitation, quickly followed by Christopher, Russell, Nathan and Thomas.

I stood still, staring into the darkness that had now swallowed five men and their voices subdued slowly.

''Having second thoughts?'' Eduardo had at some point walked up next to me but I didn't notice his presence until he spoke. He looked at me with a faint, amused smile on his lips.

''The previous treasure hunts I've been on are nothing compared to this.'' I softly bit my lip and looked up at him.

''We were kids back then, this is the real thing.''

''Yeah, well… I don't like it.'' I looked back at the darkness.

''It's not like you to be scared. Want me to hold your hand?'' He smirked at me. It was obvious he was teasing me.

''I'd rather hold Russell's hand than yours.'' I smirked back and watched as he frowned. I laughed at his annoyed expression before I started to walk to the entrance. ''Let's get it over with.'' I took a deep breath and stepped inside but I still couldn't bring myself to move before Eduardo stood next to me.

It was fairly easy to find the rest of the guys, simply following the sound they were making easily did the trick and soon enough, we were walking behind them.

''We haven't found any traps yet, that's unusual.'' Christopher spoke as if he was thinking out loud.

''Traps?'' I swallowed hard and stopped on the middle of the staircase we were currently walking down.

''Keep moving.'' Eduardo muttered behind me and his hand appeared on my shoulder. He pushed me forwards and forced me to keep going, despite my slight protesting.

''We're lucky for once.'' Morgan laughed from the front.

''Eduardo, I don't like this.'' I whispered and looked behind me, meeting his glance with my worried one.

''Nothing's going to happen. I assure you.'' He hummed calmly and gave my shoulder the softest squeeze before he released his grip. Despite his words, I bit my lip but followed the others nonetheless.

It didn't take long before we stood in a large room with something that seemed like an altar in the middle of it. On that, there was a small, insignificant, wooden box. The light from the touch Morgan was carrying revealed a thick layer of dust on it and it seemed to be untouched for ages, maybe centuries. I wondered if the box was as old as the temple was.

''Finally.'' Russell sighed and walked straight up to the box but before he could touch it, Eduardo grabbed his wrist.

''Don't touch it yet, air head. There could be traps around.'' Eduardo sneered.

''Let go of me.'' Russell sneered back and yanked his hand free.

Eduardo muttered something darkly before looking around, studying the place. ''It looks safe…'' He hummed and turned his attention back to the box.

Out of curiosity, I took a few steps closer and stood next to him. I watched as his hand ran over the lid of it before both of his hands grasped the side of it. Carefully, his fingers started to push the lid of but as soon as he had moved it just an inch, it flew up on its own and a bright, blinding light flooded out.

My hand moved to shield my eyes from it but before I could, I froze unwillingly. In the following seconds, I started to panic because of my numb state while realizing something was horribly wrong. It was then the light was replaced by thick darkness and I sank down into it, slowly being swallowed by it.

Everything went completely black then.

The next thing that followed was a strange feeling of floating, as if I was swimming in still waters. There were no sounds, no scent and I couldn't feel anything. My senses had shut down in the darkness I currently found myself floating in and I still couldn't move any of my limbs. I could still look around but it didn't feel like I was moving my head nor could I tell if I had my eyes closed or open. It was unsettling and fear quickly made its appearance but before it could properly settle, it felt as if a hand grabbed me by the collar and pulled.

It pulled me forward and into a bright light that blinded me. I knew I had my eyes shut but once I heard myself take a quick breath, I opened them again. My eyes quickly adjusted to the daylight while I listened to my own quick, panicked breathing. My mind was in a haze while I quickly glanced around, slowly realizing where I was. It was then I ran a hand through my hair but it abruptly came to a stop.

My hair wasn't that short.

The fear from the blackness was back and just to be sure, I ran my hand through my hair again but the result was the same. Something was wrong. I took the decision to look down myself and froze because of what I saw. These weren't my hands, this wasn't my body. I fell out of the bed because of the sudden realization and let out a scream.

It wasn't my voice either but I recognized it almost instantly.

''No, no, no!'' I huffed and stood up.

''So you're finally awake.''

My eyes flew to the door once I heard someone speak. I hadn't even noticed the door opening or the person walking in but I came face to face with a woman. It took me several seconds to realize that I was staring at my own face.

''You're…'' I swallowed.

''I'm you, you idiot.'' Eduardo sneered, somehow managing to have portray the pissed off expression he usually showed. ''We switched bodies because of some ancient curse.''

''What? Why?''

''Because we opened the box, use your brain. I don't have the patience to explain everything right now.'' He was about to cross his arms over his chest but awkwardly stopped and with a slight groan, he let his arms fall down his sides instead.

''Then… we're stuck like this?'' I breathed, slowly starting to understand the consequences of this.

''Christopher is working on deciphering the text scroll from the box, that's our only hope.'' Even though he tried to stay calm, I could hear the desperation in his voice as he spoke and his expression faltered slowly, but only for a second. ''This is the worst!'' He yelled furiously but quickly sighed afterwards and rubbed his forehead.

I stood in silence and watched as he struggled in my body and I couldn't decide what to feel exactly. Everything felt strange and unusual and it didn't make it easier to swallow that I could see my own body under someone else's control. I didn't know how to react and merely looked down, studying the unfamiliar hands while I tried to grasp reality.

''Those things are called hands.'' Eduardo snorted.

''Don't…!'' I had raised my voice without realizing but stopped once I did. I looked back at him. ''Don't be a sarcastic ass right now. I don't need to handle your attitude right now when you know that this doesn't just concern you.''

He fell silent and averted his eyes from mine. ''Sorry…'' He mumbled after a while.

''It's… Fine. Just remember that.'' I hummed after a deep breath. ''Where's the others?''

''Christopher went back to his room to study the text, I don't know or care what the others are doing.''

''Quit the attitude.'' I muttered before moving the leave the room but he quickly blocked my way. It was then the height difference between us really became clear to me.

''You're not going anywhere without the eye patch.''

''Why does that thing even important? Doesn't everyone here know what you look like without?''

''That's not the point. Just put in on.''

''Why?''

''Since when do I have to explain myself to you? Just do it.''

''I can't see with it!''

''I don't care! Do it or I take the dress off and walk around.'' He grumbled and glared defiantly at me.

I now knew why some people found it hard to take me seriously whenever I was angry.

''Fine…'' I sighed. ''Where is it?''

''On the table.''

I turned around and walked to the desk, quickly locating the eye patch I was looking for. ''How do you even put this thing on?'' I asked and frowned slightly when my I failed to put in on.

''Can't you do anything. Here…'' He sighed and walked over to me. Once he realized that he couldn't reach me, his face turned flustered and I couldn't keep a laugh back.

''How ironic. The only time I get to hear you laugh is in a strange situation like this.'' I sighed softly.

''Just shut up and sit down.'' He grumbled at me.

I did as he told me and out of reflex closed my eyes when he leaned closer to me. It was unbelievable. Even though those were my own two hands moving through my hair, I still couldn't keep myself from being affected by how close he was. I felt my small hands touch the back of my head and I couldn't help but wonder how he would react to this kind of touch. I frowned a bit once I concluded that he would probably just call me annoying.

''There…'' He hummed and the hands retreated.

I opened my eyes and blinked a couple of times as the darkness on right eye wouldn't disappear.

''This doesn't annoy you?'' I asked while standing and beginning to follow him outside.

''No. I'm used to it.''

I stayed silent as I followed him while my thoughts were all over the place. How bizarre it was to walk behind myself and to see my face without it being a reflection.

It turned out that I had been unconscious longer and had therefore missed the initial confusion about our switching. Apparently, according to Russell, Eduardo had been a swearing, yelling mess while Christopher had tried to explain to him what had happened. He said his face had been the same color as the hair and for once he enjoyed to argue with him. I figured it was because Russell finally had the chance to look down at Eduardo and not up, like usually. I had trouble staying concentrated as I couldn't stop watching Eduardo and wonder how I usually looked like instead of that angry expression he had on most of the time. I had several times caught myself thinking that this could nothing else but a dream, a long one, since this was too bizarre to be reality. I was disappointed each time I learned that it wasn't.

After watching Russell and Eduardo argue over dinner, like always, I had stepped out, trying to escape the confusing reality. Christopher had assured me that he was getting somewhere with the translation but the text was ancient and therefore harder to translate and work with. Everything left me with a strange taste in my mouth and a mixture of feelings inside my chest. Eventually, those feelings left me standing in front of Christopher's door, unsure of what to do.

I was about to knock when I heard footsteps at the end of the hallway.

''Oh, Edu-no sorry, I mean Tess. What brings you here?'' Christopher smiled kindly at me, a tiny bit embarrassed because of his mix up.

''Hey. It's okay, I'm confused as well… I, um… I don't actually know, I just feel restless. Plus seeing yourself walking around cursing is rather surreal.'' I smiled softly.

I couldn't tell if it was because of what I had said or something else, but for a second, he simply studied me before breaking into a smile.

''Well, the positive side to this is that you just showed me something rare.'' He chuckled softly and moved to the door.

''Something rare?'' I repeated with a puzzled look and followed him inside his room.

''Yes, it's been a while since I've seen Eduardo smile like you just did.'' He continued to chuckle as he sat down on the chair at his desk. Piles of books were scattered around the room and several open books were on the desk. His slender fingers flipped through some pages before going back to the ones it had just been open at.

''He doesn't usually smile?'' I asked while sitting down on the chair opposite of him.

''He smiles whenever someone mentions treasure or we find one. But the way you just made him smile is different.'' His glance stayed on the books as he was talking. ''Now that I think about it, I've seen him smile more since you got aboard but I think I already know why.'' He chuckled again.

I was glad that he kept his eyes down, otherwise he would have seen Eduardo properly blush and I knew that if he ever told Eduardo, I would be fed to the sharks or something worse.

''What do you mean?'' I asked after swallowing and tried to sound normal.

''This curse on you two, it's not a normal one. There's no mentioning of death or horrible accidents in this text, it simply describes how the curse is meant as some sort of punishment.''

''Punishment? That sounds like a pretty normal curse to me.''

''It would have been if it had not been for the description of the curse. You see, the curse was made by a tribe that believed in partners for life and that those partners would be found at a young age. If those partners broke the rules, this curse would fall upon them and they could therefore not be with anyone else. It was used to prevent the younger generation from breaking the traditions by finding their own partner.''

''Partners? But-I, we've… I mean, we're just friends, there's nothing else to it.'' I stuttered, obviously not doing a very good job at sounding convincing. For a second, I felt my pulse quicken just from thinking about us being something else than friends and had to swallow hard.

Stop it.

''You must have said something when you were coming at age. Considering when people got married in this tribe, you must both have been fairly young.''

''I don't…'' I mumbled and looked down; trying to figure out what could have caused this misunderstanding. I sat in silence for a minute or two before it suddenly became clear to me and I felt my face turn red. My reaction made him chuckle.

''That's surely an unusual sight.''

''Please don't tell him, he'll kill me if he finds out.'' I sighed in defeat.

''Don't worry, everything we've talked about so far and until you leave this room, I will take it to my grave.''

I looked at him softly before I ran my hand through my hair. It was still strange how short it was compared to my own.

''I might have asked him to marry me when we were kids.'' I mumbled embarrassed. ''But that was because I didn't want to marry someone else. I was just being a stupid kid.''

''That's probably the cause then. Now-''

He stopped talking as it knocked on the door.

''Come in.''

I looked over my shoulder as the door opened and met my own eyes.

''Any news on how to break this?'' Eduardo asked and walked inside, closing the door behind him. He was still looking rather annoyed but tired as well.

''I've figured out why you two became victims of it but I have yet to translate the part about getting you switched back.''

''Really? What was the reason?''

''Because you two were-''

''Closest. Compared to the others we were standing closer to each other, that's why.'' I interrupted Christopher before I even knew it myself. I kept looking at Eduardo while I knew Christopher stayed quiet and looked at me. I silently prayed that he would help me out.

''Just that?'' Eduardo asked in disbelief.

''Yes. It seemed to be triggered randomly.'' Christopher spoke up once I didn't know what to say and I made a mental note of thanking him later.

''That's an odd curse.'' Eduardo muttered and looked like he lost his interest in it.

I took it as my chance to leave the room and stood up.

''Thanks for helping Christopher, it really means a lot.'' I smiled faintly, making sure to keep it at a minimum now that Eduardo was watching.

''You're welcome. I hope to have this translated some time tomorrow.'' Christopher smiled back and gave me a soft nod.

''I'm going to bed.'' I hummed as I passed Eduardo on the way out of the room. Once the door closed behind me, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding in.

Things were starting to get dangerous and I quietly reminded myself that I just had to keep it together for one more week, then we would be at the next port and we would part ways again. It made me both sad and relieved. What I had pursued for all of these years had suddenly been achieved but it was coming to an end. In reality, I had never believed that I would ever find him again, so I hadn't thought as far as what to do or say in case I did.

I stepped inside our room and took a deep breath while appreciating the solitude. The first thing I did was to pull off the eye patch and enjoyed the fact of being able to see on both eyes again. I unbuttoned the shirt, slowly revealing more and more of the chest I had wanted to see for a while now. My eyes followed the process and I had to take a sharp breath as I let the hand that wasn't mine touch it. Firm and smooth, muscles moving beneath the skin as I let the hand travel down, touching the trail of dark hair running from his navel and disappearing beneath the pants. Stopping there, I forced myself to look away and kicked off the boots before lying down on my side of the bed. My thoughts trailed back to what I had just been told by Christopher and they proceeded to move to that episode that could have caused this mess.

We were around ten years old when my father first introduced the idea about an arranged marriage that would benefit the family. Caleb, the guy I was supposed to marry, had been a town bully ever since he was old enough to stand and he had always loved to make Eduardo, the poor orphan, suffer. It had started a mutual hate between the two and I was quickly dragged into it because of my friendship with Eduardo, leaving me to be tormented as well.

I closed my eyes as I recalled that conversation we had that day in the forest.

''Your father is stupid.''

''I don't wanna talk about it…'' I muttered behind him.

''Is it because it's Caleb?''

I looked up at him in annoyance. ''No, it's because my dad thinks it's okay to make such a decision for me. You're supposed to marry out of love, not money.''

''You're sounding romantic today.'' He scoffed.

''But it's the truth. You marry someone you love and then live with them, end of story.''

''Who told you that crap?''

''You don't believe it?''

''No.''

Our eyes met for the first time during our conversation. I knew why he said that, why he didn't believe it and I couldn't blame him. His parents weren't exactly a good example for him.

''What, you're going to hunt treasures forever?''

''Yes.''

''What if you met someone and fell in love?''

''I won't.''

''You don't know that yet.''

''Yes, I do.''

I fell silent after that answer and looked at his back as he walked. After a minute or two of thinking I came to a stop. He quickly noticed because of the lack of footsteps behind him and he stopped to turn around and look at me.

''Will you marry me when we get older?''

He stared at me in surprise but quickly regained his usual solemn expression. ''Stop being stupid, you're only asking me this because of Caleb.''

''Well… a tiny bit, but I'm mostly asking you because I think you would make a good husband.''

''And what are you basing that assumption on?'' He let out an annoyed sigh and turned around to start walking again.

''Hey, don't just avoid my question with your own!'' I shouted and ran after him, determined to get an answer from him before we would get to the village.

''You never gave me an answer…'' I mumbled and let out a heavy sigh, partly annoyed at myself for remembering that conversation so vivid and I sat up.

It was then the door opened and my attention moved to that instead. Eduardo didn't say a word as he walked in and went straight to his side of the bed, where he started undressing. I wanted to protest but it wasn't like he would see anything he hadn't seen before. My undergarments would prevent him from seeing anything private, so the only thing I could worry about was his reaction to my scars.

I waited in silence and watched as he pulled off the dress, a little more roughly than I liked, and then looked down. His expression remained somewhat calm as his eyes ran over the scars, all ranging in size, on my arms, stomach and legs. Most surprisingly, he remained silent as well as he pulled my shirt over his head and sat down on the bed.

''How did you manage to get this many scars?''

''When you have to fight for things, it's actually pretty easy. Most of them are from running away and just being on the streets.'' I hummed and started to remember how I got some of them. ''The long one on the right shoulder is the oldest. I got it after I messed up and the marines chased me through the city. I hid behind some trash in an ally way and I cut myself on some glass.''

''What about this?'' I looked up at him and saw how he gestured to the scar on my face.

''I made a mistake.'' I mumbled and looked away from him again once the unwanted memory appeared in my head.

''Tess…''

I sat in silence as I relived the episode and felt myself beginning to frown. ''I always stayed by myself because everyone is looking out for themselves. After three years, I ran into some guy, Josh, and he thought it would be a great idea to team up. I kept declining but he followed me around, so at some point, I accepted his presence. After two months we went to a bigger city and he must have seen a wanted poster with my description on it because he sold me out a week later.'' I shrugged softly. ''He tipped the Marines about my whereabouts and they stormed our hiding place the next day. I had no intention of being caught so I put up a fight. I got one of them down and then the other sliced me with his sword.''

''So Josh got away with it?''

''Yeah, I managed to flee from the marines but I was bleeding pretty badly and panicking. I don't really remember what happened, I passed out in some ally but woke up in a doctors home and my wounds were treated. He made me stay for a week so he could finish treating them but once I was done, I quickly moved to the next town.''

We both fell silent then. I once again found myself not telling him the whole truth and it was beginning to eat me up. Josh hadn't just been some guy after all. He had been the first thing in a while that could make me think about something else than Eduardo and somehow, I had ended up liking him a lot more than I had thought I would. In the end, those things only made it harder to accept that he had sold me out.

''Thanks…''

I looked at him again out of surprise but his glance remained away from mine, focused on his hands in front of him.

''Why are you thanking me?''

''Because you told me something important about you. You keep complaining that I don't get that you've changed when in reality, it's because I don't want to accept it. All these years, I thought you were back home and happy, so being told that it never was like that is like a blow to the stomach.''

''This is unlike you… telling me something like this.''

''Yeah well, there's nothing normal about today anyways.'' He let out a sigh and closed his eyes.

I couldn't think of anything to say after that and looked away from him. A soft silence spread in the room and somewhat to my mind as I rolled on my side and closed my eyes. Hopefully, all of this should be over some time tomorrow and everything would be back to normal.

Well, mostly everything…

The day went slow and it was mostly spent waiting around for the golden word from Christopher. The waiting had put us both on edge but I was clearly the better at hiding it than he was. Russell had quickly figured to stay out of his way after a few heated arguments, clearly in Eduardo's favor, and Thomas had never gotten near him from the beginning. It had somehow become my role to tell him to shut up whenever he got too bad. After almost getting into an argument with him after dinner, I went outside to cool down.

''Goddamn idiot.'' I breathed in annoyance as I leaned against the railing, waiting and hoping that the sea air would clean my head. As I stood in the darkness and lukewarm wind, I heard footsteps approaching me and I looked over my shoulder.

''I thought I would find you here.'' Christopher chuckled and walked over next to me.

''Hey, did you find something?'' I asked, trying to sound calm but it came out halfhearted.

''I did but I wanted to tell you while we alone.''

''Don't tell me we can't-''

''Oh, no no.'' He chuckled reassuringly. ''The reason is that the solution to the curse is rather private.''

''Private?''

''Yes, it's connected to the cause, and seeing that we hid that from Eduardo, I wanted to tell you first.'' Once I nodded he continued. ''The curse was made to prevent the younger generation from eloping, so the cure for it is of course a symbol of love.''

I felt all color leave my face.

''Don't worry, you just have to kiss him.'' He chuckled from my expression. ''Those people believed it to be the true symbol of love, so they would have to do it to convince their elders.''

''Still… A kiss… It's hardly something you just do and then forget about it.'' I breathed.

''Maybe you should see this as your chance to come clean then.''

''Come clean? What are you talking about?''

''There's more between you two than just friendship, isn't there?''

His question made me hesitate and look down. For a while, I simply stared at the dark water. I tried to think of an answer but everything sounded halfhearted or would be close to a lie. I looked up at him again, now being somewhat sure of an answer.

''I… I honestly don't know… It wasn't supposed to end up like this; I wasn't supposed to end up like this. Yet, here I am.'' I chuckled and threw out my arms. ''On a pirate ship and falling for my childhood friend who left me. I let my guard down and now this happens.'' I sighed and looked away from him again.

''What about him?''

''I mean little more to him than I did when we were kids.'' I huffed bitterly.

''You don't know that. You of all people should know how hard he is to understand.''

''You don't understand, he promised me that he would never fall in love. Once he promises something then it's final.''

We both stayed silent after that. I felt bad for being negative when he was just trying to help me but I knew the circumstances, I knew that it was impossible.

''Thanks for helping with the curse, Christopher.'' I pushed myself away from the railing and looked at him again with a sad smile. ''I'm sure Eduardo is thankful as well.''

''I'm glad to be of any help. I hope you two will work something out.''

I kept smiling at him as I didn't know what to say to him. His optimism about something impossible was only making me more depressed about the current situation. With gritted teeth, I looked around the ship to try and find Eduardo so we could get this over with.

After wandering the ship for a while, I met a frustrated Russell who informed me about Eduardo's whereabouts and I headed back to our room. I took a deep breath outside the door before knocking on it and then stepping inside. My eyes quickly located him on the bed with a book on his lap. He looked up at me with tired eyes but they seemed to regain some strength once he realized why I was here.

''Did Christopher find something?'' He sat up.

When I nodded at him I watched as he reenergized within seconds and he nearly jumped off the bed. ''So, how do you switch back?''

''It's… um…'' I started but I couldn't quite figure out how to put it without having him ask me for even more. ''He said it was to be some sort of joke, so the cure is of the same nature.'' I tried and watched as his eyebrows turned into a frown. ''It's, uh, it's just this ridicules thing…'' I took a deep breath and spoke quickly, ''it's a simple kiss, that's all.''

''Wait… what?'' He asked while sounding both surprised and upset.

''Yeah… I don't know either.'' I looked down, trying to mimic his current expression.

''How ridicules.'' He huffed and sat back down on the bed. ''Fine, let's get this over with then.'' Our eyes meet awkwardly as neither of us seemed to know what to do. After a second or two, he groaned in annoyance, ''just get over here!''

I slightly jumped and moved to the bed where I sat down beside him. I could already feel heat appear in my cheeks as I stared at him, or myself in reality. He was still frowning at me as neither of us moved and we both grew flustered as more time passed.

''Maybe we should-''

''No, let's just-''

''Here-''

We both interrupted the other as we moved, trying to settle on what to do now and who did what. We ended up with him leaning closer to me while my hand was awkwardly on his shoulder. My heart had risen to my throat and was only getting more nervous. I didn't know what to do but the frustration made me move and I leaned forwards, wanting to end this awkward moment. It was strange, knowing the lips I could feel was my own and not someone else's. I squeezed my eyes shut when what felt like a tug in my stomach made my head swirl. It only took a second compared to the first time, or at least it felt that way.

Slowly, I realized what that meant.

The lips against mine weren't familiar and definitively not my own anymore. As if my pulse wasn't quick enough, that realization only made it worse and I felt my mind go into total mayhem. Maybe it was just a second, maybe it was more, but it felt like an eternity before he pulled away from me, ever a slowly. I felt his breath hit my lips while I kept my eyes closed, somewhat afraid of seeing his expression. The hands on my shoulder moved away and I slowly forced myself to open my eyes. He looked… calm. His cheeks were a bit rosy and he exhaled deeply while his eyes met mine. For a second, we stayed still and merely stared at each other but once the situation sank in, we both jumped away from the other.

My entire face was burning and I kept my head down while turning away from him, masking my embarrassment with being relieved to be back in my own body.

''I'm going to get some air.'' He mumbled next to me while standing.

Once I heard the door close, I felt myself relax. It helped me calm somewhat down as I simply sat there, savoring the feeling of his lips against mine. I closed my eyes in anger; it wasn't supposed to be like this. I pressed my lips together shortly before taking a deep breath.

One more week, then all of this would be over…