"What's wrong, Kemi?" Ella's soft voice resounded in my ears, like a soothing balm to an uncomfortable itch. "Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry..." Her voice was quiet now, low but still carried weight.
Walking over to where I sat on my bed, she sat beside me and placed an arm around my shoulder, pulling my face onto her shoulder as she ran her fingers through my short, fuzzy hair.
Sniffling with an eerie grin, I slowly lifted my gaze to meet hers, worry lines etched across her smooth skin... "Gotcha!" I exclaimed with a loud cackle as I watched confusion cloud her face, followed by realization, surprise and then a 'gen-z stare' before her face finally softened and her lips eased into a soft smile.
"You really got me there" she said, exhaling softly before pinching my ear and muttering in a breathy tone "Don't... play with me like that!" She feigned annoyance and pouted.
"But seriously..." I leaned back "... it was your first time? For real?" I stared at her inquisitively. "Yeah..." She scratched the back of her head and avoided my gaze.
"Why didn't you tell me, though?" I clutched her hands in mine, worry creasing my brows. "I would've made it special for you, you know... Intimate."
"But, it was special... and intimate." Her lips curved upwars as she gazed at me with her dark brown deep sunken eyes and puffy cheeks.
Guilt flooded my heart. All I initially wanted was sex, why was I developing something similar to romantic feelings for her? It was strange. It felt good, but strange nonetheless.
"Ella... I need you to be honest with me..." She sat up straight and concentrated her gaze on me expectantly. "Yes, ma'am" she chuckled.
"Do you... like me?"
I felt her hands stiffen in mine as she shot random glances around the room haphazardly. She then sighed and slowly dropped her head, muttering.
"I don't know..." She sighed again.
"I know I'm straight, or I think I am. I've never seemed to have a thing for women. Well, not romantically or sexually of course. But you, yesterday... I just..." Another sigh.
"I don't know, I've always felt inclined to you, in a way. I love being around you and I enjoy your company and all... I mean, I have no regrets and I may or may not have daydreamt moving in with you..." She sidetracked. "What I'm saying is... I'm feeling things I've not felt befor... I might need some time before I answer your question."
I looked at her, her eyes begging me to understand. "Of course. I get it."
Her face beamed with smiles. "Really? Thank you! Oh, thank you!" She hugged me tightly, caressing me slowly as she whispered. "I'm ready to see how far this goes, though... If you are too..."
"I am!" I responded immediately without thinking. She disengaged from the hug and stood up then gave me a sharp smirk. "So... are you ready to see your peace offering now?"