normallyxstrange‌:

     She felt warm. Happy. It was kind of a fleeting feeling, before, when he wasn’t here. Yes, she’d laughed and smiled and had good days, but it was nothing like this now. Nothing at all like when he was here. 

     The very thought that Caleb might have to leave again was a terrifying one and it was with relief that she kissed him again, lips firmly pressed to his. He was staying and she couldn’t be happier at that.

     When the kiss ended, CJ gave him a little smirk and a shrug. “Well, I don’t like to give threats, on principle–so it’s a promise. Yes.” Her fingers laced with his. “When was the last time you caught me rambling?” Probably forever ago. Probably never. It really didn’t matter. She would gladly accept a kiss in lieu of ‘shut up’.

     “We can go to my apartment,” she offered. “And we can walk through the park on our way there. That secluded enough for you?” She tugged lightly on his hand and began to lead him down the sidewalk.

Ella had to laugh at the sight of her friend; any good friend would. “Sure, come on. Take your shoes off and I’ll grab some towels.”

• “No, don’t do that it’s not safe.”
• “You’re scared of that, aren’t you?”
• “Don’t touch her/him!”
• “It’s cute that you tried to protect me and all, but you’re like a foot shorter than me, you know?”
• “I will always step in between you and something like that.”
• “Why? Because I don’t want you to get hurt, that’s why!”
• “Do you think just because my feet don’t touch the bottom of the pool that I need a floatie?”
• “The stepping stool is unecessary.”
• “I’m not apologizing for what I said to that asshole/jerk… He/she was saying terrible things about you.”
• “If you say another word about her/him, you’ll regret it.” 
• “I don’t want to put you in that type of environment.”
• “Make sure to tell me if you get worried, or nervous, or claustrophobic, or-”
• “You could have been hurt.”
• “I indirected him/her on Twitter for your honor.”
• “I think you should leave this type of thing to me.”
• “I’m gonna protect you.”
• “You can hold onto me if you’re scared, you know?”
• “I’m not leaving you alone.  Not now, not ever.”
• “Let’s all watch a different movie.  This one freaks her/him out.”
• “I get where you’re coming from dude, but honestly shut the hell up and don’t talk about her/him that way.”
• “She/He isn’t an object.”
• “She/he told me what you did, and all I’m gonna do is tell you to stay away.”
• “You don’t know anything about her/him!”
• “What?  You think that was funny?  You just insulter her/him, and expect me to laugh?”
• “I’m not gonna let you put up with that.”
• “Really, if you told me to I’d go punch them for you.”
• “Wait, let me walk you home.”
• “I’ll drive you, please– please don’t go like this.”
• “It’s dangerous.”
• “I’m worried about you.”
• “I meant it when I said I would protect you.”
• “I’m not stepping aside until you back up.”
• “It’s too cold for you to come out here without a jacket on.”
• “I’ll go see what the noise was.”
• “Stay on the phone with me.”
• “Promise me you’ll be safe.”
• “I don’t feel comfortable with you going there on your own.”
• “He/She did what to you?”
• “I won’t let you go through something like that again.”
• “I’m not perfect, but I’m trying my hardest to do everything to keep you safe.”
• “Stay behind me.”
• “I promised your mom to make sure you didn’t do anything stupid tonight.”
• “I love you.  Of course I’m gonna defend you like that.”
• “No, he/she isn’t good enough to take you out.  Trust me, I know.” 
• “Are you planning to stay glued to my side this whole evening?”
• “I’ll be okay, because I know you’re back here ready to step in if I need you.”
• “Thank you for always sticking with me.”
• “I’m really worried about her/him, but I don’t think he/she wants me to call.”
• “I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you.”
• “Like, I don’t expect to ever have to take a bullet for you, but I would.”

    The kiss was like coming home. It was like a birthday surprise. It was starry skies and winning a race and the thrill of an engine rumbling to life. It was that and more. She didn’t want it to end. Eventually, it did. A soft breath passed between her parted, wet lips. His arms were around her and it felt.. right. It felt good.

    Gods, she’d missed him.

    At his grin, she grinned too. CJ drew back a bit and put a small amount of space between them—but not enough that she was out of his arms, but enough so she could look at his face. “Well, not as much as sometimes, but I can just… kiss you again to stop you, if that happens again. So… keep that in mind.”

    Eyes followed them even to the door. CJ held her head high and ignored them. Once they were outside, she could breath. The air was cool, crisp, and she took in a deep breath. What was it she wanted to say, exactly? There were plenty of things to ask, to know, but none of them came to mind.

    She looked to Caleb from the corner of her eye as he began to talk and ramble. She pressed her lips together, teeth snagging the bottom one just briefly. He’d thought of her. He’d neglected his schoolwork because of her. Something in that statement made her heart jump just a little bit—in a pleased sort of way.

    And it did it again, when he said the word ‘love’. For a second, it seemed she was staring straight into a tunnel, where all sound drowned out and there was only one singular focus. She stopped walking and blinked rapidly.

    CJ had known her feelings for him long ago, and a part of her had known he cared about her, had loved her in some way. Hearing it was an entirely different matter. It rendered her speechless. Without waiting, she faced him and cupped his face. She pulled him in for a kiss—more show than there, but the sentiment was definitely reciprocated.

    When had her hand gone to his chest and at what point did her fingers curl into his shirt? She must’ve missed that and she rarely missed anything. It was a powerful kiss—not like a passionate lip lock like she’d seen in movies or tv shows, but still. It was like a realization, a comfort, something she hadn’t known she’d been missing. It was like home.

    She barely heard the murmurings from the crowd, but her cheeks tinged red even so. She could still taste him on her lips.

    “Do you…?” she stared to ask, then rephrased it. “Come on. Let’s get out of here. We don’t need an audience.” With her hand in his, CJ stood and began for the door.

Oliver smiled a little “ I was heading over to get something to eat. I’m starving and I have drama class next. I’m studying to become an actor because I want to overcome my shyness whenever I try to act in front of people.” He said to her.