Secret Defects - Chapter II

posted by: Chiedza Sakupwanya

A story by Young Hackney's online editor.

Cara stood in my room three months prior to her death.  It’s vivid in my mind – what she wore and the words she spoke.

I knew she had a tendency of complimenting girls and expressing how sexy she felt they were; and how much she would want to kiss them. She stood by the door, wearing her worn out dark blue denim shorts with a tank top that she had tied to expose her naval piercing.

We had planned to take advantage of my parent’s absence and throw a party. We were planning on inviting a group of people and just letting loose for the night, since there wasn’t much to do on our own.

Half an hour later a mob of people we’d never met and people we’d invited came through the door – screaming, shouting and others clearly in the midst of nursing never-ending hangovers.  Music boomed out loud, making way for the walls to vibrate as smoke from different individuals began to run through the house, creating a heavy fog that gave the air weight, in the dim light.

It was loud – the house was packed.  Everyone was out to enjoy themselves but after some drinks i  became rather uneasy and retreated to my bedroom, leaving my cousin in charge of the impromptu house party that had broken out  in my house. I let myself respond to the song and the power of the effort in her grind.

I felt myself begin to relax although confusion gripped me, then a dose of guilt. Why was I seeing my best friend in a different light? She was best friend! And a girl? I stopped abruptly, turned to face her only discover her face held a similar expression to mine like a mirror reflection.  I stared and so did she, frozen.  The noise in the house was drowned out, to me the silence was loud and it dragged on for what seemed like hours. She suddenly unfroze first, took a slight step and was in my face. Swiftly brushed her hair back and aimed her eyes into the depth mine. The spark of mischief that lay in her pupil unfroze me. Her hand on my neck and breath tingling my face, lips advancing and she kissed me. Nothing ever came close to that first kiss sensation.

Her lips were soft, as they touched mine and the curiosity that filled my head. I longed to know their structure and explore and she responded in the exact same way. It was good. She whispered in my ear and I giggled softly, not wanting to interrupt what had begun. Her hands began to explore the plains of my back, her touched trailing over my spine to the shoulder blade and beyond. I felt my hands begin to reciprocate.

We awake the following morning feeling exhausted. Inside I felt alive. Flashbacks from the previous night were running through my mind, making it hard for me to concentrate on anything else. I glanced to my left and she was wake. Eyes wide open and hair in her face and on the pillow, resembling flames. I quickly looked away, having no clue as to whether or not I should feel awkward. Was there a way I was supposed to feel?  Surprisingly I felt happy and comfortable. 'Morning babe,' she whispered, and I was content and my worries broke away.

                                    ***

The following weeks were memories that would stick with me for life. Being with Cara was a whole new adventure, something I'd never thought myself worthy of.  We were nothing like the relationships carved by authors in novels nor were we like the romance on television sets. It was never fake or pretentious. We argued even more than when we were just friends but also began to know each other on levels high above comprehension. We remained close and together despite her jealousy and irrational possessiveness. We always tried to compromise but my guess is compromise; a skill mastered with maturity. I had to give up some old friendships so she would be content. It was never a big deal to me because I lived for her.