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Every time Jaime is with Marike, the world around them seems to slip away. Her sadness, her grief, her insecurities, the clench in her jaw, and the hunch in her shoulders all disappear and melt into something Jaime can’t put a label on. Magic? Serenity? Love?
They must keep their attraction a secret, of course. Disaster doesn’t begin to describe what would happen if they were found out, especially in Marike’s case. They’d been careful though, stealing moments when they could, wherever they could, to deepen their bond. When Marike had agreed to skip school with Jaime on the condition of them doing whatever Marike wanted, Jaime had agreed, no questions asked, which is how she found herself just a little baptized, in her aunt and uncle’s empty soaker tub on a crisp, sunny Thursday afternoon, with her beautiful, red-headed girlfriend on top of her.
They’d become experts at making out with each other. Jaime knew exactly how to illicit the quiet moans from Marike’s throat that made Jaime’s stomach flip. Marike knew exactly how to move her body against Jaime’s to coax a similar sound from Jaime.
Usually they were confined to Marike’s car during their clandestine marathon make out sessions, but this time was different. Now, they were at Jaime’s house. With no chance of being interrupted. That thought scratched at the back of Jaime’s mind as she felt Marike press harder against her as their kissing intensified. She suddenly felt nervous and Marike immediately sensed the shift.
“Hey,” Marike whispers, gliding her hand down Jaime’s cheek. “You ok?”
Jaime blinks once. “Yeah. Are you ok?”
Marike smiles down at Jaime, and gently nods her head, biting her lower lip.
“Should we maybe, go to your room?” Marike says in a hushed voice, her eyes darkening as she looks from Jaime’s eyes to her mouth. Jaime swallows hard before almost imperceptibly nodding her answer.
“You sure?” Jaime asks, locking eyes with Marike to read her for any hesitation, only to see that Marike couldn’t seem less hesitant if she tried.
Marike lifts herself out of the tub, pulling Jaime up with her. She picks Jaime’s jeans up off the floor, and holding Jaime’s hand, leads them both out of the bathroom and down the hall towards Jaime’s room.
The rays of the afternoon sun are casting beautiful shades of gold into the bedroom through the window, emitting a warmth and glow that feels almost dreamlike. Jaime closes her bedroom door, her back to the room, and stands there for a moment, trying to calm her nerves. Before she's able to turn she feels the familiar sensation of Marike’s arms wrap around her from behind, and the exhilarating feeling of Marike’s breath on the back of her neck.
“Turn around” Marike says, quietly but firmly. Jaime can hear the little smile in those words and she immediately feels herself relax. She smirks to herself and turns to face Marike, and they press even deeper into each other. They're both shaking a little, anticipation and nerves being absorbed by each other's bodies as they wordlessly calm each other just by being this close. Marike rests her forehead against Jaime’s for a moment and they both take a few deep breaths, knowing what’s about to happen between them.
Marike holds Jaime’s cheek and brings her face close enough to where their breaths mingle into one. With every inhale and exhale, Jaime breathes her in, sinking further into her spell. She licks her lips and her heart flutters when Marike’s ocean blue eyes meet her own.
“You’re beautiful.” Marike whispers. The words dance on her mouth like a love song and Jaime’s heart feels close to bursting.
Jaime swallows deeply and instead of replying she cups Marike’s face and brings her head closer for a kiss. Marike sighs in contentment through her nose and angles her head to deepen the kiss.
They start out slow and tentative, giving them ample time to be gentle and compassionate. Sparks fly in the air as time ceases to exist. All their focus vanishes and suddenly, Jaime realizes everything about them being like this just made sense. It made sense to her. Did it make sense to Marike? The world could be on fire right now and it still wouldn’t drive her away from this incredible moment, not when the pieces of their complicated puzzle were finally falling into place.