21- Don't Wait for Me

I decided on the movie, started it playing on the television, and sat down next to Dante with a blanket so we could watch it comfortably. We laughed a lot throughout the duration of the film, and when it ended, I noticed that Dante's expression was slightly better.

— Did you like the movie?

— I asked.

— Yes, it had been years since I stopped to watch movies, but I realized that romantic comedies can indeed be enjoyable.

— Aha, brought another one to the side of romantic comedies.

— I said, laughing.

— You don't like only romance?

— There's too much drama, and it doesn't match my personality either.

— Your personality?

— He asked, confused.

— Yes, I'm clumsy. Well, it's time for your medication, I'll get them.

I went to get the medications and didn't realize that I had left my sneaker near the couch. I stumbled, and the fall would have been bad if Dante hadn't grabbed me... Well, his attempt to grab me ended up with both of us falling to the floor. At first, it hurt, and I don't know how, but I ended up underneath, feeling the full impact.

— Kyra, are you okay?

— He said, concerned.

— It hurt, the impact with the floor hurt for real. My elbow must be red.

— Did you hurt anywhere else?

— Dante, can you get off me?

Dante stopped for a moment and then understood the situation. That's when he started laughing uncontrollably at my expense. "What audacity," I thought. However, even while laughing, he didn't move off me.

— How can you be so clumsy? And worse, I couldn't even hold onto you because of my cold. Now that would be a good romantic story to tell!

— Well, only if the protagonists ended up together in the end. However, that's not the case.

— I said, trying to push him.

— Geez, you're such a buzzkill.

— Dante said, getting up.

— Grab my hand.

I looked at his hand, and hesitated before accepting it, but I gave in and decided to accept his help. I held his hand, and he helped me up. The touch caused various sensations in me, but I decided to ignore them and headed to the kitchen to get the medications and water.

Even though I wanted to avoid it, emotions were welling up and getting stronger. Everything about him bothered me, from the fact that he's handsome, intelligent, arrogant, and sometimes when he showed his cute side. It would be much easier to avoid and even ignore him if he treated me more coldly. That's how it was initially, but in the past few days, Dante had become more attentive, which was actually making me apprehensive. He occupied my thoughts, my day, my routine, and, unwilling to admit, maybe even my heart. Everything about him bothered me because I couldn't have him for myself. I got lost in thoughts and didn't notice Dante or his subsequent actions.

Yes, he hugged me! I was facing away from him, in front of the sink, and as if that wasn't enough, he whispered in my ear:

— How beautiful you are!

I was frozen. I didn't expect this reaction, much less to be receiving affection from him.

— Every day that passes, I desire you more. It's killing me.

Dante kissed my neck, his hand that was on my waist moved up to my chin, turning it slightly to the side as I felt his breath on my face.

— Dante, stop! We can't.

— I whispered.

Dante turned me to look into my eyes.

— Why can't we?

— I'm a virgin!

He looked at me bewildered. My statement shocked him. Suddenly, he took a step back and headed towards the bathroom, leaving me even more anxious than I already was.

I went to the bedroom, made the bed, and went to sleep. There was no use in dwelling on Dante's craziness, because he didn't even know what he really wanted. It took a while for me to fall asleep, but like magic, I entered the realm of dreams.

I woke up to the sound of my cellphone alarm. I stretched, went to the bathroom, splashed water on my face to wake up a bit, and went to the kitchen to make coffee. Half-asleep, I set the water to boil without realizing that something was off. I returned to the bedroom, changed out of my pajamas, made coffee, poured a cup, and as I went to sit at the table, I noticed a note with my name on it. Only then did I realize that Dante had left. I wondered whether I should read the note or not, after all, he hadn't even said goodbye. The only reassuring thought was that he must be feeling better and had taken his medications.

"Come on, Kyra, it's just a note!" — I thought.

I picked up the "dreaded" note and gathered the courage to read it.

"Kyra, thank you for your hospitality and for taking care of me these past two days. I'll need to be away for a few days, don't wait for me, and when I return, I'll get in touch."

I had a hunch that it would be something like this, but my heart yearned for more than what he could offer. My eyes stung with tears that insisted on appearing. What could I do? That man had turned my world upside down, and in the end, everything I had anticipated was about to become a reality.

— Calm down, Kyra, maybe he just needs some time to clear his mind.

— I tried to convince myself, unsuccessfully.

— Will he vanish?

— I smiled sadly.

"Well, only time will tell." — I thought.

— Come on, girl! Lift your head up and let's head to college, that's your future.

I wiped my tears, grabbed my backpack, and headed to college.