Episode003
1080 Words
Alina Morozova's pov
Just before dawn, I opened my eyes. A leg, as heavy and warm as it should have been, was entangled with mine. I briefly believed that Daniil was still sleeping next to me, but his side of the bed was already vacant; however, the sheets remained warm, as if he had just left.
I sat up and slowly stretched my limbs, being careful not to move Katya. Blue hair. She clung. She gestured to the side of her face as she remained curled into the blanket.ped her from explaining things a long time ago, but she had faint marks on her neck and shoulder that were difficult to explain.
She shifted. Then, with a raspy voice, she opened one eye.
"You appear to be a total wreck."
I smirked wearily at her. "You ought to see yourself."
Our gazes met. She didn't turn her head. Her expression was serene, but there was that familiar acuity in her eyes as if she were measuring something I was not even aware I was giving.
"You're done staring, cousin?"
"Avoid flattering yourself."
Katya turned over, allowing the blanket to drop a bit too far. Knowing her, she probably thought she owned the place because she stretched languidly.
"Have Papa Viktor and Mama Irina returned?"
"No. Before I crashed, I looked at the time. They have about thirty minutes left in their shift.
"Excellent."
Unconcerned, I got up. Since Katya had already witnessed my worst and best sides, there was no use in keeping anything hidden. Sweat, perfume, and a more unsavory odor that clung to the walls filled the room.
She wrinkled her nose. "Everything smells."
"You think?"
She laughed and got out of bed, throwing the blanket back as if she was letting it all out. "I'm taking your bathtub."
"As if that were news."
I went to the windows and cracked them open as she vanished into the bathroom. My skin: The cold morning air pricked my skin. I took a deep breath, removing the fog from the previous evening.
The linens were ruined. Once more. Muttering to myself, I dragged them off the bed and tossed them in the laundry basket.
I told myself, "He leaves evidence like it's a crime scene."
A pause occurred. Then, from the restroom, came Katya's voice.
"Is it the wind or are you speaking to me?"
"Neither."
I went into the bathroom after hearing her voice. She was already in the tub, submerged, with her head tipped back and her eyes half-closed, her arms slung over the sides.
"Are you entering, or are you just standing there like a statue?"
I walked past her and into the stall, saying, "I'll take a shower."
The water steamed around me after hitting my skin. Slowly and steadily, I allowed it to pass over me in the hopes that it would dispel the thoughts that had begun to resurface as soon as I opened my eyes.
However, the ideas didn't come. Like fog, they hovered. Daniil's mouth. Katya's fingers. How I vanished in both of them.
It wasn't until she was behind me that I heard her move.
Her voice pierced through everything despite its gentleness.
"Want assistance?"
I didn't respond.
She didn't hold out for one.
She touched without hesitation. I was also aware she had a knack for knowing when to take charge, when to lead, and when I would fold like paper beneath her. Her hands rested lightly on my back before sliding down. It was control, not just touch. And despite all the ways I feigned strength, nothing gave me a sense of security like that control.
Leaning into the sensation, I closed my eyes.
She whispered, "You're too quiet."
"I'm contemplating."
"Dangerous."
"Not when you're on my mind."
A pause. Behind me, I sensed her smile.
"I'll let it."
She touched my neck with her forehead. Her slow breathing was audible to me.
Then, at last, I turned to face her.
Her eyes had a wild look. And something soft.
She asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"
I gave a nod. I simply... I don’t know what I’m doing.
"With me?"
"With anything."
Slowly, her hand gently touched my cheek. "You're not required to."
I also wanted to think she was real. Somewhere between too close and not enough, between cousin and confidante, between chaos and comfort, was where I wanted to think I could continue to live with her.
However, it wasn't that easy. It wasn't.
"We ought to leave," I murmured.
She took a step back and let me pass.
I hurriedly dried off before entering the bedroom ahead of her. I was half-dressed when she emerged, wrapped in one of my big towels.
Like a smug little queen, she collapsed onto the bed with her legs folded beneath her and her hair cascading down her back.
"You're staring once more."
"I'm permitted."
"No, you have an obsession."
"I'm not obsessed. Just… captivated.”
She gave a snort. "Gross."
"You adore it."
"I'm not disputing it."
I began to brush my hair and threw a fresh towel in her face.
"Alina?"
"Yes?"
"What occurs when people begin to inquire?"
I stopped. "How about?"
“About us. You. Me. Daniil. We built this triangle like fools.
"Let them inquire."
"What do we say?"
"That we owe no one an explanation."
"You think that's true?"
"No. However, I will still say it.
With a sigh, Katya leaned back and gazed at the ceiling as if it held the answers. Perhaps it did, but we were simply too afraid to check.
"There are times when I wish we had met in a different way," she said slowly. Do you know? Not like blood. Not in this dysfunctional town. Two strangers alone, in a peaceful place.
My chest hurts.
I didn't answer. For what did I mean to say? That I had the same wish? That a hundred rules cracked inside my bones each time she touched me?
I grabbed my backpack and put on my shirt.
"We will be late."
With a nod, she rose and tossed the towel into the hamper.
I felt her fingers on mine as we made our way to the door. Hardly there. But enough to keep me from doing it.
She muttered, "I meant what I said."
"I did, too."
After that, we were walking side by side in the hallway as if the world behind the door we had just closed didn't exist.
- Writer
