#clovniss

She’s checking our supplies again. She keeps doing this, as if something might have changed without her knowledge, despite being the only one who touches her backpack. Still, I suppose it’s a task that keeps her hands occupied. Something I sorely wish I had right now.

My stomach ties itself in knots when I watch her. I’m not sure I fully understand what that means. I’m not afraid of her, she is no threat to me yet the feeling is close enough to fear to leave me breathless.

Of course I could still be sick from the fever that had me shivering and weak mere days ago. Perhaps part of my addled brain still believes her to be the bloodthirsty career I once thought she was.

There’s not a lot of light inside the cave. Clove is sitting by the entrance, angling her bag so the shaft of sunlight shining through the foliage above is enough to see by. I watch her closely from my place atop the sleeping bag we share. My fingers drumming slowly against my knee as I try not to notice the way the sun dances across her skin illuminating the many freckles that are scattered across her face.

Memories of the previous night flood into my brain. Her smaller body pressed against mine, seeking warmth. My arms wrapped around her, her soft breaths tickling against my neck. My mouth feels dry all of a sudden.

I force my gaze away from her, reaching for the bottle of water to my left and taking a long swig, Why is my heart beating so fast? I take a deep breath as I lower the bottle, my eyes instantly drawn back to Clove.

She glances up, as if sensing my eyes on her. My throat constricts, the sun shines in her eyes. I don’t think I’ve noticed how many shades of green are in those irises before. It’s like staring into the canopy of the forest back home on a summers day when game is most plump and my belly full.

Her brow furrows, her head tilting to the side very slightly. I offer a shaky smile, placing the bottle down. “You ok?”

“What?” My voice comes out as more of a squeak.

“You ok?” Clove repeats, her lips twitching in what I can only assume to be amusement.

“Yeah I just…”

“You’re staring,” she points out bluntly, her eyebrows rising, “again.”

“Your eyes are pretty.”

It takes a moment for my brain to catch up with my words. My face flushes and I’m finally able to look away. Why did I say that? My heart pounds erratically against my ribs, I’m sure it’s about to burst out of my chest.

“Um, thanks.” Clove’s voice sounds strained, if I’m not very much mistaken her cheeks are as red as mine must be. I nod, not sure if I’m able to form words right now.

The sound of shuffling makes me jump, I look up, breath catching in my throat to find Clove crawling towards me. I raise my leg to stop her advance and she pauses, her face inches from mine.

“I think all of you is pretty, I mean you’re eyes, they’re like a storm...I um.. I mean….” Clove stutters out, a vaguely panicked expression crosses her features. Being this close to her seems to have short-circuited my brain and I don’t think I could move even if I wanted to.

Slowly the meaning of her words registers. My mouth falls open slightly as I stare at her in disbelief. She thinks I’m pretty? Why does this realisation send a jolt through me?

She licks her lips, eyes flicking over my face, lingering on my lips for just a moment longer before she meets my eyes. “Can I kiss you?”

Her voice is quiet. A tinge of uncertainty leaking through the confident façade she’s trying badly to put up. She wants to kiss me? This can’t be real. Somehow I must have fallen into a dream.  I cannot comprehend that a girl as beautiful as her would want to kiss someone like me.

Clove frowns, her eyes shining with something I cannot read. She begins to pull away but my hand shoots forwards of it’s own accord, grabbing her hand and locking our fingers together like they were always meant to be intertwined. I want to kiss her, the realisation takes me by surprise. It shouldn’t, it makes all the sense in the world that I’d want to kiss her.

I glance down at her lips hoping I haven't ruined the moment. My breath catches in my throat as I try to formulate a response. “Yes.”

Clove smiles nervously then leans forwards.

I only have a moment to panic over my own inexperience before her surprisingly soft lips are pressed against mine. I gasp, closing my eyes and returning the kiss after only a moments hesitation. She tastes sweet, like nothing else I have ever experienced. I know I won’t be able to forget this moment for as long as I live.

All too soon she pulls back, I gaze into her eyes, transfixed by the warmth within them. I’m sure if I keep looking at her I’ll pass out right here yet I cannot bring myself to look away.  

“Wow.” I breath, she laughs at that. A sort of playful chuckle that causes my heart to leap and my head to spin. I’d do anything to hear that again.  

“Definitely wow.” She agrees, she releases my hand, pulling away slightly and brushing some hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear.

“Can we do that again?”  I ask hopefully, wanting more of that wonderfully sweet taste. Wanting more of her.  

Her eyes widen and she inhales sharply, for a moment I think she’ll refuse but then her cheeks turn red and she nods, shooting a pleased grin my way that has my heart tying itself in knots.

She leans in more confidently this time. I’m feeling braver too as I bring a hand up to cup her cheek and close the distance. Her skin is so smooth, so perfect. I move my lips with hers slowly. My head whirrs and a strange warmth spreads through me.

When we part, to my horror, a giggle escapes me. Clove joins me. Her laughter leaves my head spinning. I’m sure later I’ll be embarrassed by how I’m acting but right now I can’t quite bring myself to care. I pull her closer, clumsily pressing my lips against hers.  

She tenses and for a moment I wonder if I’ve done something wrong. But then she relaxes, arms coming around me drawing me closer until I’m pressed against her. Time seems to stop.

Nothing else matters but Clove. In this moment I’m able to forget everything but her. The games are a distant memory as I wrap an arm around her back, pulling her closer. The taste of her lips on mine and the feeling of her body pressed against me.