Diary on The Shelf!

Chapter 12

CALM. She felt it around her, throughout her body. Her heart the most. It felt warm to be around Lorna. Despite exchanging a few words in response, the girl didn't fail to make Halima's heart skip a beat. Halima's rambling, while embarrassing to her left Lorna all giddy inside.

She wanted Halima to never stop, for their time to be extended. It was short-lived. She had to go back home soon, or she would get into major trouble with her mother.

"I'm glad you joined me today." Lorna grinned.

Halima smiled back, Lorna was a sight to behold. She glanced at her septum piercing and scrunched her nose. Almost feeling the pain, the other must have felt when getting it. Lorna's grin widened, of all her piercings she loved it the most.

"Thank you for inviting me." Chimed Halima, she bit the corner of her lower lip. The two stood in silence, staring into each other's eyes with small smiles on their faces.

"I'd offer you my jumper but . . ." Lorna chuckled softly while gesturing to her obvious lack of a jumper or anything warm." She said.

Halima giggled, "It's okay. Thanks." The night was beautiful, with the moon shining down on the glowing streets. A light breeze brushed gently against their skin forming goosebumps instantly. Halima shivered and pulled the sleeves of her hoodie to cover her palms.

"I really had a great time today," Halima said. Her eyes gestured briefly to the opposite of the road they stood.

Lorna glanced in the direction of the coffee house, now with a closed sign reading by the door. It had truly been a wonderful time, she got to learn a little about Halima. She learned the things the girl told her and even what she didn't tell her.

"Me too."

'How do I say goodbye?' Halima mused. They'd been standing for a minute, just basking in each other's presence without a word because neither of them had a clue about how to end the night.

'I don't want you to go,' Thought Lorna.

A loud honk cut through the silence between them. They jumped startled. Halima the most. She jumped into Lorna's arms and held onto her. Tightly. It was their car; her driver was either getting impatient or he was warning her. Lorna chuckled, "You're alright." She cooed.

Halima inhaled sharply, 'Her voice good grief!' She thought. And she was in her arms. She smelt so nice. And warm despite the cold surrounding them. Her heartbeat increased, she could feel the fast pounding and for a second she wondered whether Lorna could feel it too.

She could. And hers too. Lorna felt her pulse quicken the moment Halima wrapped her arms around her. 'So adorable.' Lorna thought grinning.

Docilely, Halima stared up at Lorna. At her lips, they looked so plump and full. Her bottom lip pink in colour was gently tucked between her teeth. She imagined them pressed against hers in a gentle kiss. 'Maybe she tastes ginger like the tea she took.' Thought Halima. She shook her head at the profane thoughts she was having. She wouldn't indulge in that act.

Lorna wanted to tease her more, her tongue darted out and gently licked across her lips and then bit on them. Halima's breath caught in her throat. She blinked quickly and then let out a deep breath. She waited for Lorna to josher her. Call her out for ogling at her lips. Only it didn't come.

Lorna found her absolutely amusing. If Halima only knew how much she found her irresistible. Especially now, when the other girl failed to hide her attraction. Lorna was now certain that the attraction she had was reciprocated. The thought made her heart flutter, she gently released her lips and the corners of her lips turned upward. A teasing smile. Lorna's eyebrows shot upwards.

Halima felt warm, cheeks reddened from blushing, she cast her glance away. 'Oh kill me now!' She groaned.

"See something you like?" There it was. The teasing, Halima's heart tugged as she felt blood rushing to her cheeks. Her whole face turned red from embarrassment. Her heart quickened. She smacked her lips. Mumbled incoherent words that would translate to 'Go ahead and laugh, I know you want to.' And 'Why am I so flustered easily!'

Lorna laughed. Not her usual chuckles, a hardy laugh with her head turned upwards and her upper body shaking. Only her hold around Halima never faltered. Halima, despite herself, laughed along. She thought Lorna looked absolutely breathtaking at that moment.

After a few tear-jerking moments, her laughter died down as well as Halima's.

"You're real cute." Halima felt her heart beating fast. A warm feeling swirled in her stomach. Lorna leaned over and kissed her on her temple. Halima froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Lorna gulped, she wasn't thinking. Scared, she let the girl go. Not expecting it, Halima lost balance and fell with a thud on the concrete sidewalk.

Lorna frantically helped her up and checked for bruises. Not that the girl had any. "Shit! I'm really sorry Halima."

Halima, still dazed and out of it rubbed her eyes. "It's okay, it wasn't a hard fall. Plus, I have on heavy sweatpants so they sort of cushioned the fall." She chuckled at herself.

It was merely a soft brushing of her lips, but Halima felt weak in the knees. Her fingers flew to her forehead where the kiss was placed. A ghost of a smile formed on her lips, she felt hot everywhere and her racing heart was not helping.

The driver honked again, Halima scowled and glared in his direction. "I'll see you on Monday, yes?"

Halima nodded, Lorna released her arms on her and swung them beside her.

"Text me when you get home, please," Lorna added before the girl turned to walk away.

"I will." Halima smiled and turned to walk to her car. 'Do I hug her?' She thought. She stopped right as her hand reached the handle and turned to face Lorna whose stool waiting for her to get in before she left. She wanted to be in Lorna's arms again, for the last time. So, she stretched her arms out, awkwardly, and waited.

Lorna stared at her face and then her arms and realised the girl wanted a hug. A small smile across her lips, strides towards her. Lorna wrapped her arms around her and held her tightly. Halima exhaled heavily and smiled. "Thank you for today." She whispered and then pulled back after a few seconds of getting a whiff of Lorna's perfume and got inside their car.

Lorna scolded herself, she let her emotions direct her and almost risked losing the girl before she tried having her. She watched the car drive away and wondered whether she had crossed a line and got scared at the thought of Halima never meeting her because she came off too strongly.

She smacked her lips, angry at herself, and grabbed her phone to call for an Uber.