We sit like that, in silence, savoring the moment. The wind gently plays with strands of her hair, and the warm glow of the streetlights casts soft reflections on her face. I feel time slowing down, allowing us to memorize every detail, every breath. I know that challenges lie ahead, but I also know we can get through anything if we are together. Because she is my Rebel Girl, a burst of fire in the midst of gray routines, and I am her Nerd, the one who always thinks rationally. And together, we are the perfect combination.
"Why are we here?" I ask, glancing around.
"Because this is where we first met," the girl in my arms replies.
"Don't start again about giving up on your desires," anxiety churns inside me. I don't want to lose Katrin. We have been through too much to just give up now. "And remember, right after yours comes mine."
Rebel Girl takes a slow breath and then looks me straight in the eyes. There is so much determination in her gaze that it takes my breath away.
"No, I'll keep my promise," she vows.
"Did you really like Grandpa Vi?"
"Nah, but what about him? He turned out to be a cool guy," I shrug, pretending it isn't a big deal, but a faint doubt still lingers inside me. "At first, I thought something was off, but then I realized I was wrong, and I liked him right away."
"What exactly did you think?"
"I thought he liked you the same way I do, or like Ivan does," I admit awkwardly, but I know it's better to tell the truth. I don't want any misunderstandings between us, even if it means confessing my jealousy.
"What? How could you even think that?" Her voice grows louder, and her eyes widen in indignation. "He's like a father to me. There's never been and never will be any chemistry between us. We're like family. Ugh! It's disgusting even to think about something like that."
Katrin waves her arms in outrage, her face twisted in disgust, as if the very thought is unbearable.
"Sorry, I realized my mistake in the end," I lower my gaze, feeling both guilty and relieved. I am glad everything is cleared up, but at the same time, I am ashamed of my suspicions.
"If Vi heard that, he'd knock some sense into you," she squints her eyes and pretends to wag her finger at me. There is a playful threat in her voice, but I know she is joking. Or almost joking.
"But you won't tell him, right, my little Rebel Girl?" I start playfully flirting with her, winking and smiling in a way I know she can't resist.
"I don't know. Maybe if you convince me…" Her lips stretch into a sly smile, and her eyes sparkle with mischief. She is clearly enjoying the moment, knowing she has me hooked.
"I'm ready to convince you day and night," I lift her shirt and kiss her stomach. My lips touch her skin, and I feel her shiver from the tickle. Her body arches, and she laughs, trying to push me away, but I'm not about to give up so easily. Her laughter is so genuine and contagious that I can't help but smile back. In that moment, everything around us feels perfect—her laughter, her smile, her touch.
"That tickles!" my girl squeals, laughing and trying to push me away. She is so beautiful when she laughs, and I want that moment to last forever.
"What are the plans for tomorrow? Besides taking the car to Grandpa Vi late in the evening?" I settle next to her and wrap my arm around her shoulders. My fingers lazily play with her hair, and I feel her gradually relax.
"Sleeping in until that evening," she replies, yawning and stretching like a kitten. Her eyes are already starting to close from exhaustion, but she is still smiling. I can see her fighting sleep, and it is both adorable and amusing.
"And the day after? I want to know what our plans are for the next seven days," I continue playing with her hair. I am curious about what she has in mind, and I am already looking forward to new adventures. I love when we spend time together, and I can't wait to find out what she has planned for us. She turns to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement, and I know she already has a plan.
We get into the car, and I turn on some music—quiet but rhythmic, so as not to disturb the cozy atmosphere. The city lights flicker outside the window, creating the sensation that we are gliding through time and space.
"Tomorrow's definitely going to fly by because I want to catch up on sleep after tonight. And then I have plans for a bar and another party. What do you think, are you in or out?" She knows I won't refuse, but she still wants to hear me say it.
"How could I ever be against you? Never in my life! I'm all in!" I exclaim, raising my hand in agreement.
"Alright, then let's take a couple more laps around the city and head home. I'm exhausted, both physically and mentally."
"Fine, Katrinka," I reply with a hint of sarcasm, emphasizing every syllable to make sure she feels my displeasure. My words come out sharper than I intend, and even I am surprised by how much irritation they carry. Inside, I am battling a mix of jealousy and resentment, and I can't hold back. That nickname, given to her by someone else, feels personal, almost like an intrusion into our closeness.
"Whoa, whoa! What was that just now?" She turns sharply toward me, her eyebrows shooting up and her eyes widening in surprise. She clearly hasn't expected that reaction.
"Katrinka? Seriously? I wanted to punch that old guy for butchering your name like that," I admit, not liking how he called her that, as if she were his property. The nickname sounds too personal, too intimate, and I can't stand the idea of someone else having the right to call her that.
"Oh, come on! And anyway, it wasn't him who came up with that cute nickname."
"Then who?" I ask, already feeling my jealousy giving way to curiosity.
"My grandma," Katrin smiles, her face softening as nostalgia warms her eyes. She is clearly reminiscing about something pleasant, and it makes me calm down a little. Her grandmother had been an important person to her, and I realize that the nickname is something special, not just a random label.
"Does she know Viktor?" I try to understand how those two could have even crossed paths. I am curious how her grandmother, who seems like a wise and strict woman, could approve of someone like him.
"Yes, they have a great relationship. He loves visiting her with little gifts," she says, her voice tinged with pride that the two of them have found common ground.
"Does your grandma like everyone you bring around? And how could you even introduce a guy like him to her?" I can't hide my surprise.
"He gave me a ride once, and my grandma was outside. She asked who he was, and I said he was a friend. She asked me to introduce them. He told her about his life, leaving out, of course, how we actually met."
"She didn't think you two were dating?" I ask, feeling my jealousy starting to creep back in.
"No, she said I needed a friend like him since I never really had a proper father figure. My grandma trusts me a lot, and it's not like it's obvious that I'm in love with him or he's in love with me."
Katrin clearly values their friendship, and it makes me think. Maybe I have judged him too harshly. Maybe he really is a good person, and I just don't want to see it. I sigh, feeling my irritation gradually fade. She always knows how to calm me down, even without trying.
"Alright, I get it. Let's just go already. This day has worn me out," I say, wanting to leave all these conversations behind and just spend time with her, without thinking about the past.