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CHAPTER TEN: - THE HAPPY PLACE.

Clarisse tilted her head gently as Wichita put hers on Clarisse’s shoulder. The kiss on Clarisse’s neck evoked a whirlpool of feelings swirling inside her. She could determine the butterflies in her stomach, as her teacher had said to her in high school, “if someone makes the butterflies in your stomach fly, ask him to the prom”. ‘Him’ she’d said. None of the ‘HIMs’ had ever fulfilled the conditions of “giving butterflies.” That moment had given her a slight idea what did the night expect? It has just begun with a fragment of subtle suspense.

Clarisse let herself loose. She knew Wichita had got a hold of her. She brought her outstretched arms down, placing them on Wichita’s, and tilted her head back towards Wichita’s. She could sense the perceptible tension between them. The nervousness in Wichita’s every breath, the vain attempts to make it less palpable. Everything was as real as the wind prickling the chills on their skins. The goosebumps creeped up Clarisse’s skin. Is it the wind or Wichita holding me? She wondered aimlessly.

She let her horses free, just like her thoughts. Aimlessly.

Wichita dove into the depths of Clarisse’s eyes as she spun Clarisse around and squared her. “The way you look at me,” Wichita said, “… you know it does a weird thing to me. Something which I can’t describe.” Wichita tucks a ringlet of Clarisse's hair behind her ear, but only after caressing it gently. "Something which I can't understand, but so sure of wanting this forever. It's a restless feeling."

Clarisse drew deep breaths to stop herself from hyperventilation. “Could we describe whatever of this is happening right now, or what has happened between us before?” She spoke.

“No.” Wichita mumbled, “… does it have to be described?”

“No. It doesn’t. Not in overrated words.” Clarisse said thoughtfully.

The only thing Clarisse thought this was special was because it didn’t have a name, it was unlabelled. Something she wasn’t sure if she knew what it was or how long it was going to last? But it was unfathomable, and it entranced her. It was new she didn’t care for the world when with Wichita. She became Clarisse’s secret, which she preserved in the depths of herself. She wondered if they were the only same gender people who kept drawing towards each other or there were other? For all she knew was that she simply wanted to run away or if she could stop the time right at that moment.

“Why do you think so much?” Wichita asked, “Don’t you ever get a headache?”

Clarisse got into a tizzy as Wichita’s breath brushed against her face. She moved her lips, but the words got stuck somewhere. Wichita smelled of spring, like the lilac and apple blossoms would smell. Fresh and compelling.

“You know, thinking reminds me constantly that I am a human and I have a mind and it doesn’t feel hollow.” Clarisse replied, looking away from Wichita’s captivating gaze.

“Is it?”

“Well, not - “

“Shush,” Wichita silenced Clarisse, putting a finger on her lips, “rhetorical,” she whispered.

Through the speaker played John Legend’s ‘All of me’ in the background, augmenting the intensity of the moment.

Clarisse tiptoed on Wichita’s toes. Her hands were on Wichita’s shoulders, and her hands tightened around Clarisse’s, pulling her closer to Wichita. They swayed gently, overwhelmed with the rhythm of the song.

Clarisse bowed her head slightly, resisting Wichita’s eyes. The hot flush crawling on her cheeks, and the thoughts in her head rising at acme. Clarisse remembered how she felt the first time when she danced with Eric. This was like it, but on the contrary, this felt more real and happening.

Wichita lowered her head so she could look into Clarisse’s eyes, but she looked diverted.

“What?” Wichita grumbled.

“Your eyes, they dig deeper for the buried grave of old memories.” Clarisse sighed.

“I see there is a treasure buried.”

“Huh?” Clarisse stepped back, “… don’t do this. Don’t look into it.”

Wichita frowned, “it’s time you opened up. The things which you hide inside you are just an illusion.”

Clarisse threw her hand up dramatically, “Whatever, just leave them where they are.” Millions of feelings shifted inside her, flickering from one to another, unprecedentedly. This evening had changed its course.

Clarisse realised Wichita approaching her slowly as she stepped back. Wichita took off her blazer and tossed it away. Clarisse’s twitchiness escalated through her spine. Clarisse retreated from Wichita as she slowly paced toward her. In an instant Clarisse realised that the solid floor beneath her feet was replaced by a liquid surface and a ‘splash’. She fell into the swimming pool.

Wichita dived after her in the pool, and the chorus of laughter reverberated in with the splashing of water.

It seemed like the evening had returned to the track. Clarisse's rapid mood swings were a frequent occurrence.

“You should’ve warned me?” Clarisse groaned.

“But I didn’t,” Wichita sniggered.

Clarisse swam closer to Wichita. She noticed Wichita’s white shirt soaked in water made her perfectly shaped bosom visible behind a red bra. The shirt is glued to Wichita’s body, highlighting her curves. The little droplets of water streamed down Wichita’s lips. Clarisse couldn’t resist anymore. She surged her arms around Wichita and pulled her close. With a blink of an eye, her lips united with Wichita’s.

The million lights which died in Clarisse rekindled again, the fiery passion burning through her veins. Every inch of her skin announcing that she is alive and the kind of alive she’s never been.

Wichita brushed her hands through Clarisse’s wet hair, removing a few strands of hair from her face. The soft moaning and giggles filled the air with the distant honking of vehicles and the whizzing of the flight above.

“You are magical,” Wichita spoke between the kisses,”… and you taste of inexplicable love.”

“Stop talking.” Clarisse moaned, , “… I don’t like interruption when I am in my happy place.” She said.