CHAPTER 4: Feelings

Two years ago.

Aria is only a year older than me, though she’s had the ‘typical’ teenage experience. Going out with friends for parties, underage drinking, doing pot, sneaking out the house, all things I’ve been too scared to do because of my mother.

 On one of her little nightly escapades, a drunk Aria stumbled towards my window and asked me to come out. The car that had dropped her off was speeding in the distance, almost like they were saying “this is your problem now”. Luckily, my mum wasn’t home, so I just let her in using the front door. I can still feel the pungent smell of alcohol that came off her at the tip of my nose, as she stumbled inside on the way to my room.

“Lay!!! I miused you sou muoch! H-ere I brought a lil for you” Aria slurred.

“Ria, you know I can’t drink.”

“Just a little bit... for me?” Aria looked up with a glimmer in her eyes, desperate to give Layla a drink.

“... fine just a little. But! You’re going to bed right after, okay?” Layla hesitantly agreed.

 She pulled out quarter a bottle of vodka and handed it over to me, with an expectant look waiting for me to finish the bottle she just gave. I quickly drank it all, tasting the harsh flavours and feeling the hot sensational travel down my throat into my empty stomach.

“Yuck! Is this the nasty shit you always drink?” I gagged in disgust holding back my vomit as I drank too quickly.

“It’s okayy, you’re gonna feel it soon.”

  In no time I was sloshed, my lightweight body couldn’t handle so much alcohol in a sitting, especially since it was my first ever drink. The night was a blur, and I barely remember most of it, except for when it happened. We put on some music and laid on the bed together as we began reminiscing on old stories from our childhood, how our mothers were friends and that meant we’d be together everywhere. When we learnt how to ride bikes together, our swimming classes, those teeny accidents that lead to the best stories.

“Remember when you were running away from that swarm of bees and tripped? Ha-ha hilarious!” chuckled Aria.

“Okay, but remember that time when you were blowing your birthday candles and slipped into the cake?”

“Oh my gosh, I had crumbs in my hair for weeks!”

“Yeah? And who helped you get those crumbs out your hair?”

“You did.... show off....” Aria grumbled under hear breath.

“Ha-ha how is that me showing off?”

“Cause you did a better job at it than me!”

“Ok, sorry for showing off then.” There was a serious tone to Layla’s apology as she turned towards Aria to show her sincerity.

“Apology accepted.” Said Aria as she turned towards Layla.

 We stayed there in silence, just gazing into each other’s eyes as the music played in the background. What was merely minutes felt like hours, yet there was no discomfort in our silence or gaze. Her eyes stared so deeply into mine; I had to avert them. I looked down at her lips, so succulent. Her nose so beautifully shaped, and her hair fell onto her cheek.

 I mindlessly lifted my hand and brushed it off, only to find myself gently caressing her cheek. My hand moved all over her face almost like it was examining her, her soft eyebrows and beautiful lashes, her somewhat sharp jawline and her cute little ears. Eventually I found myself rubbing on her bottom lip still lost in my own head. Once I came to realise what I was doing I was too embarrassed to even bring it up.

“O-oh! Fuck! I am so sorry. I don’t know why I was touching your face like that.” I leaped and sat up on the bed, shocked by my own behaviour.

“What’re you saying sorry for? I... liked it....” Aria sat up to Layla’s level, to continue gazing deeply into her eyes. Layla turned her head away only for Aria to grab her and revert it back onto her.

“Look at me.” Said Aria assertively.

 My eyes immediately fixed themselves onto her, I’ve heard her speak in this tone of voice before, but something about today feels.... different. She held onto my face and pushed me back onto the bed as she climbed on top of me.

“Aria, I think it’s time to go to bed now, you seem really drunk.” I hesitantly asked. I was so nervous, I barely mustered up the courage to tell her, this is something I’d never felt before. Had it been anyone else I would have immediately pushed them off. Is it because she’s my best friend or something more?

“Can I... kiss you?” Aria nervously asked.

“Y-you want to kiss m-me?” Layla answered in disbelief.

“Yeah. I want you. I want to kiss you.” Aria put on her stern expression once more.

“You want- what?”

“Can I?”

I stayed silent, unsure of what answer to give. My mind raced on whether she was serious, or this was just another drunken habit. I paused briefly, stared deeply into her eyes and nodded. What could possibly happen from just one kiss.