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Maeve was walking towards her boring home yet again. ‘Birthdays, fucking hate them’ her mind echoed. That day when everyone gives you unnecessary attention for no bloody reason and forget you the very next day. She wished she had never been born into this world. Arsehole dad, incompetent mother, idiot brother, and fake friends.
Well not quite ‘fake’. Aimee is her best friend – yeah, she deffo is. A confidant she could always rely on. A friend who may never disappoint her, ever. She felt so sorry about what happened to her. She baked a cake and got sexually assaulted by a wierdo on the bus. This made her feel even more guilty. She shouldn’t, but she doesn’t know why she feels that way.
And then there was Otis. She still regrets why she bumped into him that day. Why did this moron make her so vulnerable? What part of her made her fall for him? What does this boy have to change her so drastically since last term?
She loved him? Loved? That’s what Aimee mentioned, but her conflicting mind was trying to wither the feeling off. But what bugged her even more was that she mentioned ‘he clearly loved her back.’
What if he did? Will he though? He’s just broken up with Ola a few weeks ago. This can’t be. It just can’t.
She had reached the caravan park, the hill which oversaw her dull and decaying life. She went for her pockets to reach for the keys but her hands stuck inside the pockets as she looked up at the direction of the door. On the stairs, sat a boy, quite tall, elbows kept on his knees, hands overlapping each other, head stooped low. He wore a tricolor of the French flag, a white bag, hair clearly cut, his blue eyes stuck to his toes.
“Otis?” she finally asks, frowning slightly.
He looks up and smiles at her shyly.
“What are you doing here?” she says as he stood up and walked up to her, slightly gingerly.
“Um…. I …uh…I just-, well-”
“Are you done with the stuttering?” she snaps.
“No, it just that you said this morning that you hate birthdays.”
“Yeah, what if I do?” she smirks ever so slightly.
“I…I just want to make it a bit memorable for you.” he looks at him with his usual smile.
“What do you mean?”
“Okay, let’s be serious. We haven’t spoken a lot lately, forget about hanging out. And you’re my friend. Thought about giving you a… a treat for you’re special day.”
“I’m not a charity case, so thank you.” she replied and crossed him to enter her house, but as she was about to overtake him, she felt his hand pulling hers from behind.
She turned around to find him looking straight at her and she allowed herself to stare at his pale blue eyes as he replied.
“You’re a brilliant person, Maeve…. And you deserve great things.” He emphasized. “I really want you to have a great time.” He did not blink once while replying.
Maeve stared at him, mesmerizing his whole face. Those damn blue eyes made her want him even more, and she blurted out even without knowing,
“Yeah, alright. Let me fresh up a bit. I’ll be coming in a few minutes.” She smiled at him glowingly.
She opened the door to her caravan, but turned back to face him again, “Do you want to sit on that couch until I get ready?”
“No, it’s okay, I can wait outside if you want.” he replies, nervously.
“I insist.”
“Alright” he replied before following her into the caravan.
---
Maeve was inside the bathroom. She had a myriad of emotions running through her body. She was both nervous and ecstatic. This was Otis – not any other dumb arsehole she would be hooking up with. This guy knows a lot about her – probably he’s the only person besides Aimee who knows her so well.
And she liked him – a lot. And that is where she got scared. She didn’t want to mess up anything with him and get him hurt. She knew he was single now. But what if he didn’t feel the same way?
She realized that she was wasting a lot of time in getting ready so she quickly rubbed the excess eyeshadow and right before she left the bathroom, she removed the nose-ring and entered the living room.
Otis was skimming through some of her books that were lying on the table. He was surprised to find her standing at the landing, looking at him. He simply smiled at her,
“You’re ready.” He said as he got up from the couch.
“Yeah, but whatever it is, be quick. You know I’m not made for the whole birthday thing.” She glared at him mockingly.
“okay” he chuckled at her, taking his hands up in a ‘I give it up’ gesture, “will do.”
She closed the door behind them and started to walk close together.
---
They have been talking and walking for a while now – discussing about various topics – work at school, the Aptitude Scheme and the fact that Jean’s presence was absolutely disastrous for their clinic.
And inevitably, Aimee’s episode came up and as Maeve narrated the whole thing to Otis and looked at him, he surely got a bit tense.
“Is she alright now?” he asked concerned.
“Yeah, she looked alright when she got off from the police car. But even after that, the damage is done.”
“Yeah – she needs some therapy from my mom, if she wants to take one.”
“Why your mum? Are you not confident over yourself?” she smirked at him.
“Yeah, cuz you can see the queue at school every day. They’re clearly losing interest in me.” He breathed out a deep sigh.
“Yeah, your mum’s a bad influence.” She chuckled slightly.
“Please show some respect.” He replies. Even if it was Maeve, he would not stand his mum being made fun of.
“Sorry” she touched his elbow slightly to console him. It was enough to calm him down – her mere friendly touch was everything needed to sooth him. He looked at her, smiling slightly, eyes locked at her brown eyes. There was a very awkward pause before she finally broke the silence, “ Where are we going, dickhead.”
“Not far away.” He continues after a pause, “Will reach there in 10 minutes.”
“10 minutes is not soon!” she exclaims.
“Okay calm down. You need to take a chill-pill, Wiley.”
It took them another 15 minutes or so to reach their destination. After huffing and puffing from going uphill they reached the café. It was built at the top of the hill with large wooden blocks supporting the oakwood deck. The deck itself could be climbed up by a spiral staircase which landed on it, revealing quite a spacious area dotted with tables and chairs. The chairs had an intricate filigree of ferns and petals while the the table was made up of marble with a single steel support. On the western side one could get a nice view of some houses reduced to white dots, scattered in pockets in the sea on cropfield, while the setting sun had tintured everything with a shade of red and orange. On the eastern side, there was the counter which lead the golden woods behind it.
As the two landed on the deck, Maeve couldn’t help but admire the view towards her left. It was beautiful. “This place is gorgeous.” She said.
“Yeah, it is. That’s why I came here.” He smiled at her. She did the same.
“How did you manage to find this?” she continued as both of them settled in for a table at the center of the café. As he adjusted himself onto the chair, he was finally able to answer her question, “Ola showed me this place. Wonderful, isn’t it.”
“Yeah, it is.”
He continued, “And I came here once again, to give Eric his birthday treat.”
“Oh.” She knew she didn’t have the luxury to give her a break in such cafés and so she wanted to savour every single moment of her time - and that too with Otis.
“And I know you hate big gestures and parties so I tried to keep it simple. And this place is just perfect for it.”
A waiter came up to them and handed Otis the menu card while adding some water to their glasses. “Here sir, the menu.”
“That’s patriarchy – giving the male the menu card.” He looks at Maeve now, “You decide.”
Although slightly hesitant, she took the card from him and skimmed through the delicacies one by one.
“Uh…. Two plain coffees.” She said hurriedly and placed the card on the table. Otis looked at her sympathetically and added,
“Yeah, it was a mistake. Two cappuccinos and two croissants.” He said to the waiter.
Maeve picked up the menu card, looked at the items he ordered, saw the price and shot an angry glare at him.
“Alright, please wait for a few minutes and we will return with your order in no time.” The waiter smiled at the two of them, “date?”
This time both of them almost jumped up from their seats in surprise after what he said. They shared some awkward glances again and after gaining some control he replied, “No, just giving her a treat for her birthday.”
“Oh, I see. Then an extra brownie for you.” he looked at her.
“No, thank y-”
“Yeah yeah, sure, she would love it.” He interjects
“Thanks.” She said looking at the floor, not making eye contact with either of them.
As the waiter went away from them, Maeve chided, “why did you order so much?”
“Why are you being so pitiful?” he scolded quietly, trying to lower his voice to not freak out the others who had meanwhile joined the café.
“You know this is too much.”
“How many times have I told you that when have the opportunity to experience a better life – go for it.”
“But it doesn’t mean taking the help of others.” She had it enough. “You know what, I’m done.”
She starts to pack her things to arrange her exit when the boy opposite her finally spoke, “I’m using our clinic money.”
She stopped and stared at him as he continued, “I’m just using todays and yesterday’s earning and nothing much.”
Her eyes lowered a bit in guilt, “Why didn’t you tell me that?”
“Wasn’t necessary, was it?” he retaliated.
They remained quiet for some time because she felt morose and sad to dampen his kindness and high-spirits. A different waiter came up with their snacks and left them alone for sometimes.
“I’m sorry.” She finally spoke up.
“No, it’s alright.” He held his cup of coffee and took a sip without making a slurping noise, “We often get angry and say things we don’t mean. It doesn’t mean you’re an awful person and-”
“Are you done with therapizing me, jeez, you’re compellingly odd Milburn.” She chuckled slightly.
The meal went well. The croissant was fantastic – exactly the perfect amount of butter and heated to perfection. The coffee though - it will take Maeve another lifetime to taste a better coffee than that.
The waiter came up to clear the table and with the bill which Otis paid, but not after having another brisk talk with her.
“So, did you enjoy it?”
“I loved it. This place is so great, Otis. I think I’ll have to increase our charges you know, I can see me coming here a lot.” She gave him the biggest smile.
“I’m glad you liked it.” He said.
They pushed the chairs to stand against the table. Otis picked up his bag from the floor when suddenly a thought came up in his mind.
“Oh shit, I almost forgot!”
“What?” she asked him, frowning ever so slightly.
He opened the chain of his bag and looked at her, continuing, “I was thinking for a birthday present was I was not able to choose what I should give to you. So, I hope this will live up to you.” He held a diary in his hand. It had a blue cover and a red ribbon – a very simple gift.
“What is this?” she asked him again.
“Uh it’s…it’s a diary.” He extended his arms to give it to her. She took it gently from his hands and examined it carefully.
“You gave me a Five-Year Diary?” she looked at him questioningly.
“Yes…. But I ripped out all your birthday pages….so that you don’t have to celebrate your birthday for another 5 years.
Her mouth gaped a bit and she pressed her lips into a smile. ‘How could he understand me so well.’ She was overwhelmed how cheeky his gift was. She couldn’t take it anymore. She threw the Diary on the table and pulled him into a tight hug. He was surprised by her reaction and it took him some time to wrap his unusually long hands around her waist. They stayed like that for a few moments before pulling back. Her face was beaming from the moonlight.
“This is such a great present. Very thoughtful of you, dickhead.”
“Let’s go then.”
“Yeah.”
They packed their belongings; Maeve placed the diary inside her bag. They hurried down the staircase and started to walk down the road. It was January, and whoever pointed out that it brought surprises was right. The moon was illuminating the night’s sky with an aura of white. The distant stars were twinkling faintly – but within a few moments they lurked behind the clouds which were grumbling ever so quietly.
“Is it really January?” he asks.
“Well, it is. Just doesn’t feel like that.” As the grumbling intensified.
They were struggling to keep the conversation going although they didn’t need to speak much. Walking in close proximity to each other, elbows brushing occasionally – it’s all they need in the moment. It was almost 8 o’clock, yet it felt as dead as midnight. The chirping of the crickets and the grumbling clouds felt like their only companion.
Finally, Maeve spoke, “I loved the gift. I’ll start writing from now on.”
“Thanks. I tried to keep things normal and simple ‘cuz you’re the one who hates grand gestures.” He chuckled.
“Yeah. At least you didn’t do the whole chocolate bar and bashing birthday songs like boys to for their girlfriends.”
He gulped at the last part and it suddenly hits her what she just blurted out. ‘Oh fuck of Wiley, saying things that don’t make sense.’
“Uh um…. How’s it going lately?”
“Good, better after the break-up.”
She scoffed a bit, “You surprised everyone there. I thought you would break down completely and then next day you were like, ‘Hey Maeve, got any clients today?’.”
“Shit happens, I guess.”
“What exactly happened, you two were going great.” She lied.
“It’s a long story.”
“And I have the time.” She responded instantly.
And so he took a deep breath, and started to tell everything…..bit by bit.
----
A MONTH AGO
Ola reached for Otis’ hand but he quickly pulled away to get his things from the locker room.
“So, you wanna meet up after school.” She said.
“Not really. I have a lot of people to meet. The clinic – you know.”
“How about I meet you in the evening.”
“Nope, Erics coming over so it’s not possible today.”
She was visibly distraught at Otis’ constant ignoring. She was done with playing this cat and mouse chase. She finally spoke, “Are you okay?”
“Why are you asking me this?” he quipped.
“No, it’s just that ever since the school started, you’ve started to ignore me, as if I don’t mean anything to you. You’re busy with the clinic thing or with your friends and-”
She was interrupted by Otis kissing her. It was a short kiss and as it ended, he replied, “Don’t worry. You’re my girlfriend and you will never come second.”
She was about to say something when they were interrupted by another feminine voice, “What’s up, dickhead.”
He turned around and gave Maeve a big smile, “Hi, Good morning.”
“Yeah, you know – 5 clients. All after school. Do not be late.”
“At the usual place.”
“Yup”
“Alright then. I hope you’ll manage without the background.”
“Yeah, there’s no need.”
“Alright, bye dickhead. See you at the Aptitude Scheme Ola.” And with that, she left.
The bell rang simultaneously. “See you around, I guess.” Otis said as he clumsily bumped into another person while going to the next class.
It has been some weeks since this shenanigan is taking place and Ola was sick and tired of everything. She knew that Otis was constantly trying to evade her and barely spent any time with her. And ever since he re-started the clinic with Maeve, he has been spending a lot of time with her. And that part really bugged her. Ever since she first met Maeve, she knew something was very fishy between the two. And now, looking at the two from a distance was even more tough to watch.
Luckily, she had Lily – her best friend to ease out her frustrations. But she was not entirely relieved either.
3 WEEKS AGO
He was making out with Ola. They were kissing for a bit before Otis made his hand snake past through her curves and turned his body so that she was now straddling him. She clumsily held on to bis shirt and pulled it upwards and threw it onto the floor and resumed kissing. He pushed him onto the bed and made her hands work down his jeans as she started to unbuckle his belt. But she was interrupted by a jingle from Otis’ phone. He looked apologetically at her and picked the phone from his pocket which showed a message from Maeve.
- MAEVE
Where are you? You’re 4:30 is waiting.
“Oh shit.” He quickly adjusts his belt and puts on his clothes ASAP. “What happened?” she asks him frantically.
“I forgot about the client. I have to leave. See you at night.”
He quickly wriggled his shirt over his body and left her room in a hurry.
She was almost reaching her limit of tolerance. It took her days of pleading to get him into her house yet it just took Maeve a single message to get him rolling. She was done with just being his girlfriend in name. And she was so done with the constant ignorance.
Otis understood that he has been treating his girlfriend poorly but he was just conflicted. He didn’t want to hurt Ola but his heart was calling for Maeve. Her coming back to school was like a fresh new air for him. He loved her so bloody much – even more than Ola. And so he was just so much tired of running from his true feeling that he just wanted Ola break things with him.
After seeing off the client he made his way to his house. His mother informed that his girlfriend was waiting there in his room and wanted to talk to her about something urgent. He climbed up the stairs and entered his room. He saw her sitting there at the corner of the bed, looking straight at him.
“Hi” he greeted and sat beside her.
After taking a deep sigh and finally started, “This isn’t working, Otis. Not at all.”
Otis realized where this conversation was heading and he this time he was the one to sigh. He looked at her, “Why?” he asked, even though he didn’t need to.
“We barely meet each other these days, Otis. You’re clearly busy with all your clinic stuff that you do with Maeve and hang out with her.” She added rather bitterly.
“Oh, so you’re implying that I am cheating on you.” He retaliated.
“What if you are? You know yourself better.”
He lost his cool. “I can’t believe that you think of me like that.”
“Yup. I think you’re too uptight, whereas I’m always trying to live in the moment. And I just think I don’t feel…. Anything special about you anymore, Otis.” He looks down at the ground, defeated.
He exhaled sharply. After a very long pause, he replied in a very throaty voice, “If that’s what you’re thinking – it’s okay. Let’s break this up.”
She left him alone in the bed as she picked up her bag and made her exit. As she was about to leave his room, she turned back to look at him for one last time and then with a very heavy heart, she left him alone.
He heard her footsteps fainting away as she went down the stairs and giving some time to think.
---
PRESENT DAY
“I’m sorry.” Maeve said after hearing the entire story from him.
“Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything.” He startled against her apology.
“No, it’s just…. That she broke up with you because she was suspicious of us.” She looked up at her.
He smiled at her faintly and quickly looked forward.
“You did nothing Maeve. I didn’t tell you I was with her. Nor did I know that she would have broken up with me that night. Could you stop being pitiful for once please; it’s irritating.”
They had reached the infamous bridge – and suddenly his mind flashed the image of that eventful day. They were walking close together, talking about how shitty Jackson was – and him lending her his jumper – and yelling at her that he was, then, a virgin. He still regretted missing out on his only opportunity to kiss the love of his life. But it would have been so much wrong – she was still there with Jackson; how could you even think of that you silly old fathead!
And with Jackson coming into his train of thoughts – his mind suddenly reminisced another moment from a few days ago.
---
A WEEK AGO
He had gotten a bit late because he lost track of the time talking with Eric. He hurried his way down the corridor in search for the English room. He reached the door, panting for breath.
He apologized to Miss Sands for his late arrival and started to search for a seat. After scanning through the whole room, he found an empty seat and beside the place was…. Jackson Marchetti.
‘Great’ he thought, ‘Life always pulling you into the darker pit of hell.’ Out of all the people who could have sat there – it had to be Jackson, whom he hates and moreover – he hates him now too.
Without saying much, he settled down – took out his paraphernalia as Miss Sands began with her lecture.
The class went for about one hour and as the bell rang Miss Sand interrupted with announcing the homework, “Alright, before you all go out to leave the class, I just wanted to tell y’all to read some articles about Jane Austen and her feminist works as we are going to discuss it in our next class.”
Otis chuckled a bit and turned his head towards the boy next to him, “It’s just a breeze for you isn’t it, Jackson. You’ve read a lot of her works.”
Contrary to his usual congenial behaviour, he scoffed at him and he continued packing his bag.
Otis got irritated. For no bloody reason – he had suddenly started to ignore him after all that he done for him; granted – not against his wish, but still.
“Why do you hate me so much?” he blurted out.
His hands stopped and he lifted his head to look at him – eyes squinting ever so slightly. He stands up properly now, not breaking eye contact and then he finally he replied,
“You know Maeve broke up with me because she’s in love with you… and you’re still not with her.”
Otis felt his feet sinking below the ground. His mind was running a hundred miles an hour – what did he just say? Love? Not with her? A series of questions started to bother him. He remained silent looking at the floor.
Not getting any reply from Otis, Jackson packed his bags hastily and started to make his way out of the room. Otis by this time had regained some consciousness and looking in the direction of the departing Jackson – he pleaded from behind. “Jackson, wait!”
He turned around to face a very surprised and perplexed Otis facing him, “What did you just say?”
“Maeve and you have got something – don’t you?”
“What do you mean, she’s, my friend.”
“Uh-huh, so what was your fucking jumper doing in her caravan.”
“I lent it to her some time back – why is this bothering you?”
After some pause, he replied, “We broke up because of you. Because she didn’t love me back when I asked her for she was too much engrossed over you.”
He left him alone, confused and flustered inside the room.
---
PRESENT DAY
“Otis! Otis!” Maeve called his name when he saw him walking over mindlessly.
“Huh? What… oh, sorry I got a bit distracted there.” He said after regaining his senses.
“Evidently.” She chuckled a bit.
Still walking down the bridge, his mind was processing what Jackson said; in-fact he has been ever since last week. He couldn’t keep his excitement put under his heart. But he was still very nervous to say anything – talk about anything related to it. But his urge was so strong that he, for once, allowed his heart to take over.
He stops abruptly, making her question, “What happened?”
“I… uh, I just wanted to know something.”
“Yeah, go on, go ahead.” She said.
“Okay, um… do y- do you…. Okay.” He takes a deep breath and then, with courage, tried to open his mouth, but even before he could utter a word – he felt a tiny raindrop fall on his nose tip.
Both of them looked up at the sky and felt the raindrops fall on their cheeks – it’s a soothing sensation. But it was January and he didn’t want to catch a cold. “We should hurry back home.”
They started to trot their way back but the raindrops began to grow bigger and fall more frequently. Very soon, it began to rain heavily. Maeve and Otis started to run as fast as they can to save them from the rain. But the rain was hard to evade.
Out of instinct, Otis pulled the chain of his iconic jacket and wriggled it out of his hand. He placed the jacket above their heads. Maeve was very grateful for his kind gesture but she was surprised immediately when she felt his right-hand snake past her back to pull her a bit closer. “Hold the other end.” He instructed and she rightfully did the same. And gaining some courage, she slid her other hand around his waist. They walked like that towards the Milburn household – comfortable in each other’s embrace. It’s a feeling he never got from Ola, neither did she while being with Jackson. It was a completely different feeling altogether – being close to one another. She loved this part of Otis. And deep down she hoped that Otis felt the same.
Luckily Jean was already waiting outside with an umbrella and a towel and just being able to make out Otis’ jacket , she rushed towards her son, saying, “Oh dear, I was really worried about you. Let’s go inside.”
They hurried their way back into his house and closed the door behind them. He gave the towel to Otis and then shifted her attention to the other person.
“Oh, I’m sorry but I don’t think that we have met.”
“Yeah, we haven’t. I’m Otis’ friend, Maeve, Maeve Wiley.”
“Oh, It’s nice to meet you Maeve. Wait for a minute I’m coming with another towel.” Jean said.
“Oh thanks, Mrs Milburn, it means a lot.”
“Oh! Call me Jean, darling, don’t make me feel so old,” making everybody in the room chuckle.
As she left Maeve couldn’t help but examine his house. It’s big, spacious and very nicely decorated. Jean returned with another towel and they began to dry their hair and settled back into the couch sipping onto hot coffee and having a light chat with Jean.
“Maeve, it’s getting dark, and the storm is not looking good. I would advice you to stay for the night.” Jean said.
She hesitated for a bit, but realizing that the alternative options were limited, she nodded in agreement.
“Alright then, Otis. You could show her your room.” She smirks slightly.
It was almost 11 o’clock. Not the time for either of them to fall asleep, but they made their way into Otis’ room. She began to examine it throughout – and the first thing that she spotted was his music collection. She skimmed past the vinyls, taking time to look through each and every one of them.
“Good taste of music, dickhead.”
“Thanks. Some of it are actually your recommendations."
"I’m pretty sure you didn’t have the ‘Sorry for the Late Reply’ album.” she smirked.
“Yup, very sharp-minded are you, Wiley.”
She laid her body onto the bed. He did the same and together they were staring at the ceiling.
“Already going to sleep, huh?” he asks.
“No. not yet. Just going through the day.” She said blankly.
“I see. Was quite an eventful day, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, it was.”
The room went silent once again. This time the raindrops plattered over the window, accompanied by some thunder. She was lying there, going through several thoughts of emotions. The homework, Aptitude Scheme and her time with Otis. She had a desperation to kiss him – and she could have, he was just some inches away from her. Yet, he felt so out of reach.
And then her mind suddenly struck. ‘Wasn’t he going to ask him something before it began to rain? What if it wasn’t of any importance?’ She turned her head towards him. He was still looking up at the ceiling.
“Otis?”
“Hmm.” The reply came from him.
“What were you going to say at the bridge?” she questions.
He had been thinking precisely about that. He wanted to tell her about everything and he was so damn scared he tried to wash it out of his mind.
He looks down at her to find her doing the same. It’s now or never, he thought.
“What do you think about me?” he finally breaths out.
“What do you mean?” she starts to bite her nails.
“Do you think of me as your friend or…?” he trails off, hoping that Maeve would understand what he means. And she did, and she was struggling to find a proper answer.
He shifted his body towards his side to take a good look at her. His eyes were shot right at her. She was becoming a little vulnerable; something she hadn’t seen in Maeve for a long time. She shifts her head a little bit towards him and he does the same. Very slowly their foreheads touch and they checked each other one last time, before closing their eyes and the gap between their lips.
It was a short kiss, just their lips brushing past one another, as it ended, they separate a bit to check in, as if necessary. “You alright?” he asks her and she nodded.
His lips were like fire on hers and the sensation itself was to hard to resist. This time she pulled him up for a kiss. It was deeper, more passionate than the first. He pulls him by the waist to align their centers as her hands cradled onto his cheek. They were making out at night, while it was raining outside. Totally out of character for Maeve right?
She moaned lightly as Otis pushed his toungue onto her mouth. He was feeling very ounce of satisfaction upon kissing her – something he could have done all those months ago. But today he wasn’t missing that opportunity, one bit. Her lips were surprisingly soft, with a hint of the coffee she drank with him. They spent the next couple of minutes making out, until she seperated to yawn ever so slightly.
“You look tired. Let’s get some rest.” He insisted.
“Alright, then.” She replied, strecthing her limbs a bit.
He pulled the duvet to cover their bodies from the cold. Maeve snuggled onto him, putting her head onto his chest – she could hear his heart beating. He wrapped his hands around her waist.
Maeve peeped at him from her position, “I wasn’t expecting it, you know.”
“I know… we have to lot to talk about tomorrow, but let’s just sleep for now.” He said.
“Yeah, you’re right. Good night Otis.” She snuggled into his chest again.
He kissed the crown of her head, “Good night.”
It did not take them much time to sleep actually. They hoped for a brighter sunshine tomorrow morning, when they would talk through everything – possibly going from friends to something more – a couple. But at present, it was just the time to relax in each other’s embrace, and wait for the night to pass through.
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