Dream Slayer Chapter Fourteen

“Just, tell me then.”

“I’ve tried in a million ways, but you never see the answer.” Tristan moved closer to her. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know you, Nat. My mom has always told me the story about how we met. You were a little thing stumbling around playing in the grass and me in the sandbox with my toys. Nothing could ever get me away from that stupid sandbox until I saw you. This cute little girl waddling along in a dress, barely able to walk. I chased you, barely able to walk myself. Play dates, nap time; hilarity ensued every day since and the rest was... well history. I think it started then, but I didn’t know it. Years later we were sitting together on my bed going over CDs and… and I looked over at you and I knew. It hit me.”

Natalie shook her head, not following. She knew the story so well she could see it playing out in her head. Her mind filled in the blanks based on what she was told, but what Tristan was getting at didn’t make sense.

“I’ve always been afraid for you to know. I know it’s not something you even suspect from me. I’m only Tristan to you, but to me…”

Tristan touched her cheek and the look in his eye was one she had never seen before. It scared her and her heart pounded. He couldn’t be going where she thought he was. It was one more impossible thing that was actually happening. He was Tristan. And she was… just Natalie.

“These last days have been crazy and I think it’s only going to get worse before it gets better, Nat. I don’t know what’s going on and it scares me. I’m afraid I’ll never be able to tell you if I don’t tell you now.”

Natalie shook her head and tried to back up, but Tristan leaned in to kiss her. She found she couldn’t move and only barely breathe as their lips met. Natalie didn’t know what she was doing. His lips were warm and welcoming, but it felt foreign to kiss her best friend, yet at the same time something about it was comforting. Her first kiss of any kind given to her by Tristan, her best friend, and someone she rarely saw as a member of the opposite sex.

It was soft and gentle. Natalie’s arms tingled where Tristan’s hands caressed and pulled her closer to him. She stumbled forward while he leaned up against the dark brick wall. Not used to what was happening and feeling woefully inadequate; she went with it anyway and used his shoulders to steady herself. Warmth filled her unlike any she had felt before and it was accompanied with a sense of peace; belonging. She was still in shock when Tristan pulled away from her.

Her mouth fell open and gawked at him, but not for the reasons he thought, based on the pain in his eyes.

 “That look on your face is all I needed to see.” Tristan pushed her fallen jaw back up gently. “I knew, but… well seeing it makes it that much harder.”

Natalie tried to speak and wanted to explain, but found she couldn’t form the words. “Tristan?” was the only word she managed to squeak out.

“I understand. Okay, I get it? I just couldn’t help myself anymore. I’ll walk you home.”