𝐄𝐂𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘 | neteyam

thirteen 𝐉𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐘

THE DARKER THE NIGHT, the brighter the stars. After the eclipse happened, I walked over the now colder sand to the roots. It was a colder night than usually, and also a darker one. Without the stars, everything would have been pitch black.

But I was a night-girl, always been one. I loved nothing more than going on night walks, looking at the beautiful night sky or watching the stars.

I walked down the beach quickly, so Neteyam wouldn't have to wait too long for me. When I arrived the roots, I already saw his tall and muscular figure standing there with his back towards me.

I got an idea. I quietly walked towards him, careful not to make any noice. Then I touched his shoulder, "Boo!", I shouted and Neteyam immediately jumped and turned around, real fear on his face.

I couldn't help but let out a laugh when I saw his expression. He put his hand on his chest and let out a sigh of relief, "It's only you," he said out of breath and I laughed even more.

"I thought you were this mighty warrior back home," I joked and he rolled his eyes but soon followed my laughter.

Then he took me arms and as he touched it, my heart stood still for a second. Yes, we spent a lot of time together recently, but somehow, whenever he touched me, I shivered.

Neteyam took me to an area where more trees grew, both of us quiet. Then he gave me the wooden arrow and bow, and I hold it in my arm.

"Okay, let us practice here. You can shoot into the tree and then we get the arrows out of it.", he explained to me and I nodded as I stood opposite one of the large trees.

I then cocked the arrow and aimed it at the middle of the tree. "Careful, don't keep your bow arm too stiff while extending it towards the target", Neteyam explained to me and I nodded again.

I shot the arrow, but it didn't go successful. The arrow didn't even arrive the tree. I frowned.

"It's alright. This is your first time, remember!", Neteyam said to motivate me.

Then he got nearer towards me and suddenly I felt his breath on the right side of my face. Goosebumps appeared on my arms and I tried not to look to the side to meet his eyes.

"Grip the string firmly in your fingers," he continued and put my fingers onto the string of the arrow. The tension between the two of us felt different from usually. My cheeks grew warm and probably got darker too. I hope Neteyam didn't notice that.

"Keep the bow grip loose and pull back the string smoothly towards your face," he went on and I followed his instruction as I felt his eyes on me.

Then they went to my hand, "No need to squeeze the life out of the bow, as it can degrade accuracy. Hold it firmly, but gentle," Neteyam said and his fingers went to mine to loosen them up a bit. My breaths got shorter and there was no denying in the hot tension between us right now.

"Now shoot," he said and I shot the arrow, which met the heart of the tree. But I didn't really focus on that. My attention was on the boy next to me.

My eyes finally met his and a explosion happened in my stomach. His gaze was different from all the other times, but I couldn't describe it. His fingers were still on mine.

"Good job," he whispered into my ear and no answer could leave my mouth. Now I noticed that our lips almost touched, only a few centimeters were between them.

I've never experienced something like this before. These feelings were new to me. Somehow my eyes couldn't leave Neteyam's. I felt his other hand on my back and shivered, hoping Neteyam didn't notice this.