Page 63 of The Loathing

“As you wish,” I pause, “morning Royal,” I tip my head slightly before following Amora out into the yard. She isn’t very far and after a few long strides I have soon caught up with her. Her hands hang down by her side and I let my fingers spread slightly, willing our fingers to brush like they did yesterday and I can’t help but wonder whether she felt the spark that coursed through me so harshly it made me flinch.

She stalls, her head tipping back and her eyes closing as she inhales the spring air.

“I feel free,” she mutters quietly, my body turning to face her as I watch.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She sighs, “I know that sounds ridiculous…” she finally lets her head drop forward, then she turns to look at me.

I shake my head from side to side, “It doesn’t sound ridiculous.”

“Hmm, I think you’re just being kind.”

“Maybe,” I shrug before she continues walking, I stay by her side.

Silence fills the void between us, the birds sing softly in the distance, and I can begin to hear the sound of the lake, only just, but I can hear it and I suddenly feel a million miles away once more.

We turn and walk down the deck, and I see her shoulders instantly drop and sag.

“Feel better?”

“Yes,” she just about manages as she kicks her shoes off and walks barefoot down the deck. I stand and watch for just a moment, the way the sun beats down against the water, causing it to glisten and sparkle, her long, wavy red hair blowing softly in the breeze. Her skin somehow looks paler, but still just as beautiful. Her sundress sits midway on her milky thighs, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress. The breeze picks up suddenly and her scent consumes me once more and I feel myself stepping a little closer to her, even if I didn’t want to, my legs just move, and I gravitate towards her.

She turns to look at me over her shoulder, a lopsided smile on her face but she faces forward too quickly, and I instantly miss it. She really is perfect. I don’t even think perfect is a strong enough word to pin to her.

She is unblemished. Flawless.

Faultless.

I slip my phone out, lifting it slightly as I position it and snap a photo of her. It’s too good of an opportunity to miss.

The way the sun is beating down, the reflection off the water beaming off her skin.

She is picture fucking perfect.

I drop the phone down and slide into my pictures and I see it. My fucking heart thumps in my chest and it scares me to death. Running my thumb over the screen, I feel a pang shoot from my chest down to my stomach causing it to twist and knot. Sighing, I push my phone back away.

I walk cautiously towards her, each step I close on her, my heart beats a little faster. A blissful sigh leaves me as I cast my eyes over the calm water.

“Have you swum in there before?” I ask, fisting one of my hands into my pocket, the other hanging beside me.

“Once or twice,” she turns to look up at me and I’ve only just realised how short she is.

“Have you shrunk?” I playfully nudge into her and her nose scrunches, her brows crinkling. A deep chuckle leaves me, and I hear her giggle too. “In all seriousness, how short are you?” I scoff once more.

“Five foot four, so not short at all… you’re just abnormally tall.” She elbows me. I snort, tipping my head back as I rub where she nudged me. “Would you swim in there?” She asks, the breeze picking up slightly and dusting over my skin.

“Maybe when it’s a little warmer, I don’t feel acclimatized yet.”

“Wimp.”

I snap my head round to look at her.

“Wimp!?”

“Yeah, big guy, wimp.”

She continues taunting me.

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