Before The End

After eating 2 helpings at lunch, I start my work on the reconstructions. I didn't see Nazeera at all, unfortunately. It's nearly sunset when I decide I've had enough of these plans and buildings. A break is what I need. I walk out of the tent breathing in the cold air. I look up to the sky, dark clouds have enshrouded it.

Huh, it might rain. The weather has been weird, changing from bright and sunny to harsh winds throughout the day. Someone taps my shoulder and I spin to see.
Nazeera.

She smiles at me, "hey."
"Hi"
I match her expression but 10 times bigger. Giddiness grows in my chest everytime I see her, wraps itself around my heart.
"Sorry, It took longer than I thought for me to get what I needed."
Nazeera tells me.
"All good."

She gestures to the forest that encompasses the Sanctuary. "Do you want to walk with me?"
I nod and we start our small journey.
The last time we were out near these woods, we were trying to kill each other. Until Nazeera finally confessed her feelings to me. It still sometimes astounds me that she actually likes me, more than you would a friend.
I can't wrap my head around it.

"What are you smiling about?" Nazeera raises her eyebrow.
I shrug, "just reminiscing about the last time we were here."
"Ah." Nazeera nods and looks to her right, away from me. She's the last person you'd expect to be shy yet here we are.

We're walking on a small hill until Nazeera goes and sits on the grass. I follow along, not taking my eyes off her. It's silent all around, faint sounds of laughter coming from behind us. The newly risen moon is the only source of light in the darkness.

Nazeera plays with the grass beneath her. I can tell she's hesitant to speak.
"I...didn't sleep last night. I couldn't."
She tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Why?"

Nazeera inhales a breath, "everytime I close my eyes I see... well I see Emmaline. And...my father."

She swallows, I don't make a move or speak.
"I miss her. Sometimes...I'd just remember all these memories. Of Emmaline, Ella and myself. Having fun, being kids. It just...hurts."

Nazeera clears her throat, and looks up at the starless sky. My eyes don't move off of her. There's so much sorrow in her eyes right now, lucid pain on her face. I'd do anything to make it go away.

"And I...I miss my dad." Her voice goes quiet with that one sentence. The wind whispers around us, as if listening as well.
"Despite everything that has happened, every horrible unspeakable thing he has done. Seeing him there like that, I-"

Nazeera cuts herself off and shakes her head.
"Whatever."
She sighs and puts her hands on her knees.
"Sorry for dumping that on you. Think I ruined the moment."

I reach out and interlace my fingers with hers,
"Don't apologise. I always want to listen to you, whatever you want to say."

Nazeera nods then finally faces me. I give her a supportive look, she can tell me every single thing going through her head and I wouldn't care.

I'm so happy she's finally opening up to me, allowing me to see past the walls she keeps up. The masks she wears.

She studies me for a moment, stares at me with such a strong intensity, I shudder.
Feel my face grow hot.

The diamond piercing underneath her lip glistens in the dark, I can't stop looking at her mouth. Nazeera inhales a sharp breath. Without thinking, I lean in and kiss her.

Nazeera moves her body around a bit to grip the front of my sweater and kiss me back deeply. The kiss is long, sweet, and desperate. My arms wrap around her back instinctively as Nazeera lowers onto the ground. When we break apart, we're both puffed out. Her face is flushed and a smile has taken over.

I'm about to kiss her again when a drop of water lands on her face. Another one.
"What the-"
Shit it's raining. I stand quickly and help Nazeera up.
It's pouring like crazy, in quite a short amount of time too. I take Nazeeras hand as we rush back to the Sanctuary. I can hear her laughing as we go, a soft rich sound. Music to my ears.
———————
By the time we reach shelter, the two of us are soaking wet. Not to mention freezing.
"Stupid clouds." I mumble wrapping my arms around myself. Nazeera chuckles, shaking with cold herself.

"Do you want to go eat dinner?" I ask her, it's about dinner time and I'm starving. Nazeera bites her lip, leans on the wall behind her.
"Like with your friends?"
"Yeah, is something wrong with that?"

She shakes her head, "they don't like me."
"What? Did someone say that?" I move so that we're only a few inches apart. I'm pretty sure no one's said anything about disliking her.

Nazeera shrugs, "they don't need to. I'm not a likable person."
I place a hand on the wall beside her head, steadying myself. She looks up at me, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"I like you."

She says nothing, looks down at her feet while her hair drips water.
"What makes you think that no one does?"

Nazeera looks back at me with an amused smile,
"I haven't had any proper friends since I was 6. I can't even interact with people correctly, without making the situation awkward or being rude. You tell me."

"Nazeera" I sigh. I get that she's not really the best at social interactions but I don't want her to think that means no one will like her. I literally fell in love with her after our first meeting.

She shakes her head, "you can go. I have to speak with my brother anyways."
"About what?"
"How we're going to deal with what's going on internationally."

Oh right. After enjoying my time with Nazeera, I forget we have to return to the real world. A reality that none of us want to deal with, full of surprises and uncertainty.

Nazeera pushes herself off the wall and I move back. She tucks her wet hair behind her ears. I really don't want her to leave, we've had enough of that. Her going or me going and just not being together.
I'm sick of it.
It's frustrating when I long to spend all my time with her. Get to know her better than anyone else.
To love her and care for her.

"Come see me again. After you meet your brother." I shove my hands in my pockets. Big mistake, my pockets were full of water. Nazeera stills, she just looks at me, contemplating my offer.
I would love to know what she's thinking.

She nods, "I might."
It's all she says before stalking off. Again.