NWSL | Off Season

39

KRISTIE

Those five days really have been special so far. 

Endless walks on the beach, late night talks, fit laughs, little fights from time to time, sassy comments... We did it all. And I hate to admit it, but this time I really am hooked. And there is nothing I can do to escape her. 

We are currently walking on the beach, as the sun is slowly setting. The landscapes here in Australia are unbelievable, and the fact that she lives 2 minutes away from the beach is really helping with that. We just took our shoes off, our dresses moving with the wind. We spent the day doing fun things, such as eating on a restaurant located on a boat, we went on a hike in a very small mountain, and then we just wandered around, seeing the things nobody usually takes attention to. Little things, like the people playing music on the street, or friends laughing together. Megan even gave half of her dinner to a homeless man, and the whole scene just opened my eyes ; not only the man's smile was bright and sincere, but Megan seemed even happier. So we ended up sharing my own dinner. 

Even with the sassy comments and such usual things for us to do, there is something bigger that has developed. It's like a mutual happiness to be around each other, and even if either of us will admit it, it feels good to click with someone. Especially for me, because I have never been friends with anyone but my sister and our childhood friend Steph. I've built a fortress that I thought was unbreakable, until Megan came into my life and started coming in. As we are silently walking on the sand, that still is warm, I am thinking about those four days, and that sudden desire to hold her into my arms. 

When she feels my eyes on her, she blushes and looks away, nervously playing with her hands. We finally reached the part of the beach she wanted me to see ; it's kind of an unusual thing, because there are rocks leading to a kind of tiny-mini island (like, smaller than Megan's room), only a very tiny bit of sand where the ocean takes off. 

We sit down on that thing, and I have to admit she was right ; the one-hour walk by the beach was totally worth it ; the sun seems to close, and the pink and orange colors are invading the clouds. 

Megan is not looking at the sky though. 

"What are you looking at, you ugly ass ?" I let out nonchalantly. 

I don't really know why I still am on my guards, but there is something I can't help but say to myself ; what if she hurts me ? Because at this point, even the idea of her loving or kissing someone else is making me sick. 

She smirks. 

"Can I ask you a question ?" she softly asks, ignoring my mean comment.

Now, I am trapped, and I know that really well. Nevertheless, I still manage to say : 

"Go ahead." 

She thinks for a second, before asking that question : "Why are you so convinced that people will hurt you ?"  

I burst into laughter. Damn, I didn't know she was a freaking psychologist or mentalist or shit, I think to myself, while she just looks at me intensively, serious as fuck. I swallow my saliva, before putting my hair behind my ears. 

I am suddenly nervous. Do I really want to open up to her ?  

"Because people suck" I then let out, thinking that it's time for me to explain to her why I am what I am. She listens carefully, biting her lips. Man, she's gonna drive me crazy with that move. I ignore that funny feeling on my stomach, and continue : "They are shady, they are liars, they just come into your life, take what they can take, and then disappear. They hurt you, humiliate you, take everything from you. I don't want to ask myself every fucking second ; 'is this person trustworthy ?' or 'is she really trying to be my friend or only playing nice to take something from me'. I don't like people, so I don't let them in." 

She nods. 

"You realize some people actually care about you, right ?" 

I shake my head. "They don't. They think they do, but they don't. I shut them out, so they can't like me." 

"Mmh" Megan thoughtfully lets out, her eyes wandering on the water, lighten by the beautiful colors of the sky. "I don't think that's true." 

"How so ?" I ask frowning. 

"Does that mean you don't like people ?" she then asks, without answering the previous question. 

"Exactly." 

"So why did you come here, Kristie ?" she raises her eyebrows. 

I suddenly have trouble breathing, and I guess that's because how intensively she is looking at me. My soul shatters. 

A sigh escape my mouth. "I honestly surprised myself." I honestly say, while she looks down at the sand. I can feel it wasn't the answer she wanted to hear. I then smirk, but she ignores that. Her hand is right next to mine, so I only need to move it a very tiny bit to touch it. Her eyes are now locked on that, while my fingers softly caress her skin until they are entangled with hers. My heart starts beating faster. "I guess that's something I don't understand, because you're not like other people." 

Megan smiles. "I don't know how I am supposed to take that" she then whispers, turning her head to look at me. 

I barely can breathe right now, as her finger is tracing small circles on my hand. I didn't know somebody's touch could have such an effect on me. 

"I don't know either."

With that said, I look at her too. 

When I very, very slowly lean in, she looks down at my lips, a shy smile on hers. My nose reach her chin, as we are shoulders to shoulders now. When she feels my lips so close to hers, she shivers. I don't want to close my eyes not to miss any sign, like her backing off or something, and I feel she does the same thing. After taking all the courage I have in me, I get closer to her, and my lips catch hers. I can see her close her eyes, and her hand slowly reaching for my neck. I shiver because her hand is cold, but that doesn't make me break this. I rely on the sand, trying not to touch her too much. But after several seconds, as she is the one moving a lips a little bit, my hand touches the hollow of her back. 

She bites my lips, before pulling away a tiny little bit. She then starts laughing, as I put my free hand on my mouth, trying to hide the fact that I am blushing. I look at her, surprised by her reaction, and all she does is getting closer and wraps her arms around mine, her head relying on my shoulder. 

I smile, and for the first time in my life, I brought my defenses down. I just take a deep breath, as the sun is setting down in a beautiful and meaningful silence.