I WANT YOU CLOSE

My heart was beating heavily against my chest like a drum in double time, I felt like it was going to leap out and never return. My thoughts were racing but at the same time, I was at peace...I was actually calm. I don't know how I could be, not when I was so close to her..my best friend Skyler. My knee was touching hers, my body only inches from hers but I was too afraid to move. Skyler was too busy on her phone to notice my nervousness but I knew she sensed it, she was empathic like me. I tried to play cool by fixing the blanket I had put over my legs from being cold and kept my eyes fixated on my phone but it wasn't going to last. The tv was playing an old Disney movie but no one was really paying attention, Skyler's sister was attempting to nap and her niece was in her room. I kept putting my arm on the back of the couch, slightly behind Skyler but then a minute later I would put it back beside me. Jesus fuck I couldn't keep it together at all.

Suddenly out of nowhere, Skyler moved closer but just enough to rest her head on my shoulder. My arm was still at my side when she did but I wanted her closer to me so I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and held her tight. It felt comfortable, felt like we had been doing this for a lifetime. I decided to bravely put my head on top of hers and she didn't seem to mind. Occasionally my fingers would trace her skin absentmindedly and only so often just in case. Her skin was warm against me but she felt cold.

"I'm cold," Skyler finally spoke, making my heart melt like hell.

I finally found my voice, "don't worry I'll keep you warm. I'm a personal heater for a reason."

That got Skyler to giggle against my chest as she looked up at me. "You're adorable Kysen."

I merely shrugged with a sheepish grin on my face. "I try my best to be."

She playfully shoved me and I tickled her sides in retaliation which made us both laugh. We couldn't stop laughing, we ended up having tears in our eyes and somehow...I had pulled Skyler on top of me. Our eyes met...like the ocean and the sand, crashing together in perfect sync. And I knew I should've kissed her, the moment was right there but instead Skyler moved off of me and blushed as she did. I blushed as well, my heart beating fast against my chest. Embarrassment washed over both of us and we fell into an awkward silence shortly after.

"Um...well that was interesting?" I suggested awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck.

Skyler bit her bottom lip nervously, blushing some more. "Oh yeah, for sure. Was totally not expecting that to happen."

"Ha yeah um sorry about that Sky," I quickly apologized, hoping I didn't mess everything up.

Skyler shook her head, smiling at me as she leaned against me again. Well that was certainly unexpected, I would've thought after that incident she would've moved away from me but boy was I glad I was wrong about that.

"Don't worry about it," she finally said as she leaned up to kiss my cheek. "Space is just a word made up by someone who's afraid to get close. And trust me Ky, I want you close to me as possible."

My heart skipped a beat or two when she said that out loud and I was so glad I didn't just hear that in my head. I kissed the top of her head and held her closely to me.

"Trust me, I want you close to me too Sky and I never want that to stop," I admitted truthfully.

And I hoped that we would never stop wanting to be close to each other.