Marcus

The evening air is cool as I stroll through the neighborhood, trying to clear my head. Thoughts of Melanie have been consuming my mind, and I figured a walk might help. Little did I know, fate had other plans.

As I walk, lost in my own thoughts, I can't believe my eyes when I see Melanie's car passing right in front of me. My heart skips a beat, and for a moment, I think I must be mistaken, that my longing for her is playing tricks on my mind. But no, there she is, parking her car.

Melanie steps out of the car, and I'm captivated by her presence. She looks stunning dressed in leggings and a hoodie, her toned legs carrying her with the grace that's uniquely hers. I can tell she's surprised and, dare I say, happy to see me. The feeling is mutual. Thankfully, she lets me carry her bag to her apartment.

Being in the elevator with her is both a pleasure and torture. I can't take my eyes off her. Every fiber of my being wants to pull her close and kiss her with all the pent-up desire I've been harboring. But I restrain myself. Melanie is still with Daniel, and I won't cross that line. As tempting as it is, I won't act on my own desires. It has to be her decision, just like that kiss in the woods.

As we walk into her apartment, I take a moment to take in my surroundings – it really is a beautiful space. Unfortunately, her furniture hasn't arrived yet, but if things escalate, we'll find a way. We've had sex in more uncomfortable settings before. Still, I remind myself not to get ahead of the situation. I don't give a shit about Daniel, it's just that I respect her too much to rush or pressure her.

Following Melanie to what seems to be the room that will be her bedroom, a shiver runs down my spine. Imagining spending my nights here with her sparks a fire within me. What wouldn't I give to be able to do that, to be the one she turns to for comfort and warmth. I've never felt this way about anyone before, and the intensity of my emotions surprises me.

Melanie turns around, and her hand extends towards me. I take her bag off my back and hand it to her, our hands brushing for a moment. It's a fleeting touch, but sparks seem to ignite on my skin. Melanie pulls her hand back, her eyes meeting mine briefly before she drops her gaze to the floor, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. The sight of her being so cute makes my heart skip a beat.

She turns away and walks over to the closet, dropping her bag on the floor. Melanie unzips it and starts organizing its contents. I follow her, unable to shake the feeling of tension in the air. "Need any help?" I offer, my voice gentle.

She shakes her head, her actions speaking louder than words. Melanie doesn't look at me, and I'm left standing there, uncertain. Why isn't she talking to me? Why isn't she even looking at me? Did I do something wrong?

I hover for a moment, contemplating whether to stay or give her space. The silence is deafening, and I can sense a shift in the atmosphere. "Melanie," I finally speak up, my tone gentle. "Is everything okay?"

She glances at me, her eyes holding a mix of emotions. "Yeah, everything's fine," she replies, her voice a bit distant.

Melanie turns away, her gaze fixed on her bag and the closet, continuing to empty it and sorting everything meticulously. I'm left standing there, confused. Did I misread the situation? One moment, everything seemed fine, and now, there's a palpable tension in the air. One step forward, two steps back.

Unable to bear the uncertainty, I finally break the silence. "Should I leave?" I ask, my voice uncertain.

Melanie freezes, her hands stilling for a moment as if time itself has halted. For what feels like an eternity, she doesn't move or speak. It's a moment of suspended anticipation. Then, slowly, Melanie turns around to face me.

Her eyes meet mine, and there's a vulnerability in her gaze. She asks, her voice a whisper, "Do you want to leave?"

Quickly, I respond, "No, I don't." I mean every word. I want to be here, with her.

Melanie nods, her expression unreadable. "Okay, then. Don't go," she says, her eyes holding an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. It's a confusing rollercoaster of emotions, but if this means I still have a chance with her, it's worth the ride.

She turns away again, resuming her task. The mixed signals she's sending might drive me crazy, but in this moment, I'm willing to endure it. Melanie is worth every bit of confusion, every twist and turn. It's a sign, a glimmer of hope that perhaps, despite the complexities, we can find our way to each other.

Melanie finishes emptying her bag, storing it neatly in the closet, and then closes the door. She walks toward me, stopping a couple of steps away.

Uncertain of what to say next, I wait, grateful when Melanie breaks the silence.

"I didn't ask you what you were doing out there," she says, her voice measured.

A smile tugs at my lips. "I like taking walks when I need to clear my mind. And, funny enough, my family home is actually very close to your new apartment."

Melanie's eyes light up with a playful spark. "Oh, really?" she says, feigning innocence. "That's interesting."

I catch the playful note in her tone, and my grin widens. "Oh? It is?" I tease.

She nods, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Yes."

Now, my curiosity is piqued. "How come?" I ask, my heart beating a mile a minute.

Melanie shrugs casually, her eyes playful. "Just interesting," she repeats, leaving the statement deliberately vague.

I can't help but chuckle. "Well, that wasn't vague at all," I say, a smile playing on my lips.

She grins mischievously, "That's all I'll say."

I rub the back of my neck, feigning defeat. "Okay then," I say, locking eyes with her. There's a moment, a brief but charged pause. Melanie bites her lower lip, and the desire to pull her close intensifies. I resist the urge; she needs to be the one to initiate it. It's not up to me, even though I can tell she wants me. And she knows I want her too.

Melanie clears her throat and looks down at the floor. "We should probably get going," she suggests, her voice breaking the charged silence. "We're both waking up early tomorrow."

I nod, agreeing. "You're right,"

She begins walking out of the room, and inwardly, I groan at the distance growing between us. Hastily, I follow her, and as we both leave the apartment, a silent wish escapes my thoughts—that I'll be back in this space soon, with Melanie in my arms. The physical ache of being so close yet unable to touch her intensifies, especially as we step into the confined space of the elevator.

I don't want to say good night to Melanie. Every fiber of my being is resisting the idea of parting ways with her, but being so close is making it increasingly difficult to maintain control. I'm certain that I'll lose it if I stay any longer.

The elevator doors slide open, and as we walk out, the words spill out impulsively, "Will I see you this week?" I immediately regret the question, realizing it might sound too forward. Melanie glances at me, biting her lower lip again. She really needs to stop doing that; it's driving me crazy.

"I've got so much to set up at the new place before Friday," she says, apologetic eyes meeting mine. "I don't even know if I'll have a moment to breathe."

I nod, my disappointment masked behind a forced smile. "No worries, Mel. I get it. Just let me know if you need anything, okay? I'm right around the corner."

Melanie returns the smile, gratitude in her eyes. "Thanks, Marcus. I appreciate it."

We arrive in front of Melanie's car, and she turns around, smiling at me. Just as she opens her mouth to speak, another voice slices through the air, calling my name. "Marcus? Hey, Marcus!"

I roll my eyes, cursing under my breath, as Melanie looks behind me with confusion. I turn around and see Karla approaching us hastily. Karla. Of all people.

Fucking Karla. Why now?

Karla approaches us, and with a bright smile, she greets, "Hey, Marcus! How's it going?" I respond with a simple "good." She then turns her attention to Melanie, who still appears a bit bewildered.

I swiftly step in, introducing Karla. "Melanie, this is Karla. She's a friend of Natalie's." Melanie politely responds, "Nice to meet you, Karla."

Karla's eyes roam over Melanie from head to toe, and with a hint of skepticism, she says, "Yeah, you too." Her gaze returns to me as she playfully scolds, "Marcus, you missed out on a fun night last night. You should've come with us."

I sigh, trying to maintain a calm exterior, and respond to Karla, "Yeah, I'm glad you guys had fun." Before she has a chance to respond, I turn to Melanie, seizing the opportunity.

"Hey, Melanie, any chance you could give me a ride home?" I ask, my eyes meeting hers. There's a flicker of surprise on her face, but she eventually agrees with a hesitant "Sure."

I bid a somewhat abrupt goodnight to Karla, who seems taken aback. She mumbles a subdued goodnight as Melanie and I climb into her car. The drive is silent, with only the directions from me breaking the quiet. Melanie pulls over in front of my house, and I unbuckle my seatbelt, but I don't make a move to get out of the car. Instead, I look at Melanie, who wears an unreadable expression.

Taking a deep breath, I know I need to clarify things. I can't let another misunderstanding ruin my chances with Melanie. "Melanie, I need you to know that I've never been with Karla, never even thought about it," I confess, my eyes searching hers for understanding.

She looks at me, and her lips press into a tight line. She takes a deep breath, her gaze flickering away for a moment before returning to meet mine. "Marcus, it's really none of my business," she says, a hint of discomfort in her voice.

I reach out and gently take her hand in mine, locking eyes with her. "Mel, it is your business. I want you to know the truth," I assure her, hoping she understands the sincerity in my words. Melanie looks into my eyes, searching for something, and after a moment, she whispers, "Okay," offering a small, hesitant smile.

I squeeze her hand reassuringly and bring it to my lips, kissing it softly. "Good night, beautiful," I say, lingering for a moment before reluctantly letting go and stepping out of the car.

As I close the car door, Melanie starts driving away. I stand there, watching her car until it disappears around the next corner.