Bound By Love

Echoes Of Last Night

Naomi barely slept that night, every time she closed her eyes, she saw Raymond’s face, the look in his eyes when he literally said he couldn’t stop doing this, the sound of the door closing, the silence that followed.

When morning came, her pillow was wet with tears. Her chest felt really heavy, and her reflection in the mirror didn’t look like her anymore. Her eyes were swollen. She tried covering it up with a bit of powder and lipgloss, but eyes don’t lie, she still looked broken.

As she gently walked to school, she taught to herself “why does it hurt so much? Why does it feel like I lost something I never even had?.

When she reached class, her best friend Cynthia was already there, legs crossed, arms fold and scrolling through her phone. The moment Naomi entered, Cynthia looked up at her.

“Omg girl, did you fight with your pillow or what? You look extremely tired”. She said.

Naomi have a fake smile. “I just didn’t sleep well, that’s all.”

“Hmm. don’t tell me you were up thinking about Raymond again.”

“No everything is about him”. She said.

“Really? Cynthia stood, walked over, and leaned against Naomi’s desk. “You’ve been acting strange for days. You barely talk in class, and when I ask you what’s wrong, you keep saying nothing. “I know you, Naomi something definitely happened.”

Naomi shook her head, forcing a fake smile. “Nothing happened, I said I’m fine”.

But she lied, she wasn’t fine.

Her mind was still replaying every details from last night…. His warmth and all. Deep down, she wanted to tell Cynthia everything, but she remembered his words: promise me no one will hear about this again.

So she kept quiet and calm.

Throughout the day, she avoided Cynthia’s curious eyes and looked into her book. Though her mind wasn’t really there. When it was time for lunch, she carefully sat down alone under a tree near the school gate, staring at her food she couldn’t eat, lost in deep thoughts.

That was when she saw him.

Raymond.

He was standing near the staff room, talking to a teacher, probably submitting an assignment or something. He look so calm as always, confident, collected like nothing had ever happened between them. And beside him stood candy smiling brightly as always.

Naomi froze.

Candy leaned towards him, saying something that made him laugh, that soft gentle laugh Naomi knew so well. The one he used to make her heart melt.

She felt jealousy in her chest. It hurt. It was everything she didn’t want to feel.

She looked away before anyone could see tears forming in her eyes.

When the bell finally rang, Cynthia caught up with her, “Naomi, wait!”

Naomi turned around adjusting her school bag around her shoulder.

“Talk to me” Cynthia said. I don’t know what’s happening, but you don’t look fine. Did you and Raymond fight or something”?

“No. We’re fine”.

“Okay but remember you don’t have to carry everything alone, I’m always here for you, no matter what”.

Naomi nodded slowly. “I know, cyn I just.. I need some time to think.”

“Alright,” Cynthia said softly before walking away.

By the time Naomi got home, the sky was already turning dark. The house was quiet, she dropped her bag on the couch and sighed.

She knew Raymond was home. His door was open just slightly and she could see the ray of light from his room.

She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should go in. Part of her wanted to avoid it, but another part missed hearing his voice.

She walked gently to his room and knocked gently.

“Come in”. he said.

Raymond was sitting on his bed, shirtless, water dripping from his hair.

“Hey” Naomi said quietly, leaning against the door.

He smiled a little. “Hey, Nams. How was school today?

“It was okay”, she said, trying not to look at his hot body.

He nodded, trying to grab his shirt.

“Ray,” she finally said.

He turned to her. “Yeah?”

“I missed when we used to talk. Really talked”.

His facial expression softened. He stood up and walked towards her. “We can still talk. I didn’t stop caring about you.”

“I know”, she said quietly. “But it doesn’t feel the same way anymore.”

He sighed. “A lot has changed. I just don’t want to hurt you.”

“Nams… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make things harder.”

Naomi looked at him. “Then stop pretending everything is fine.”

“You mean too much to me, that's why I’m being careful.”

As he reached his hand to take his shirt from the door, their eyes met. She couldn’t hold it anymore as she reached for his lips to kiss him. Raymond parted his lips for her to kiss him “oh God is this what I’ve been missing?” He said to himself.

“Umm.. urrmm..” little moans escape her mouth.

Raymond tried to stop them but he couldn’t stop her..

They gently walked towards the bed, still kissing each other. Raymond gently slid his hands into her boobs rubbing his hands around her n****e as he continues to kiss her

“Umm, yeahhh, ahh” she moaned. Little did she know the moans we’re turning him on.