Kimi's Perspective
Charlotte was a shattered thing, tears carving paths down her cheeks. Without hesitation, I sat beside her, my arms instinctively wrapping around her trembling form. She buried her face against my chest, her sobs a wrenching sound that tore at my heart. It was agonizing to witness her in such a state; she, the pillar of strength I'd always admired.
"Please, Kimi," she choked out, her voice thick with anguish, "just leave me alone. Do this for me, just this once."
Her plea, even whispered, settled like a heavy stone in my chest. It was a request that warred with every instinct within me. Leaving her was unthinkable; my heart ached with a fierce, possessive love for her. Staying was the only answer my soul would accept. Then, the bathroom door swung open, and another presence filled the space. A girl, bold and intrusive, seized my hand, yanking me away from Charlotte—my Charlotte.
"Stay away from my Charlotte," she declared, her voice sharp and possessive.
Had I heard correctly? Did she just claim Charlotte as her own? Charlotte, meanwhile, had retreated inwards, all traces of tears gone, replaced by a vacant, lost expression.
"If I were you, I'd walk away," the girl continued, a smug smirk playing on her lips. "Charlotte isn't saying anything, which just proves I'm right. Bye, girly." Her words, and that infuriating smirk, ignited a furious fire in me. I lunged forward, ready to lash out, but a hand, Charlotte's hand, closed around my wrist. I hadn't even registered her rising to her feet.
"Kimi, please, let her go…" Charlotte pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.
"I told you so! Now get out of my way!" the other girl snapped, rudely cutting Charlotte off.
"Elena, leave," Charlotte retorted, her voice gaining an edge, "and stay away from me and my Kimi!" She glared at Elena, her eyes flashing with a protectiveness that sent a jolt of electricity through me.
Did she just call me hers? The thought sent my heart into a frantic gallop. Watching Elena storm out of the bathroom, I turned back to Charlotte, who fixed me with a gaze filled with a raw, vulnerable honesty.
"Kimi," she said softly, "I love you, and I'm so, so sorry for the pain I caused you. It was wrong, and it hurt me deeply to know that I made you cry."
I didn't let her finish. I closed the distance between us, my lips finding hers in a desperate, hungry kiss. She responded, a flicker of life returning to her, then pulled back.
"Maybe," she breathed, her words soft but clear, "maybe I'll let you in."
Those words, simple and yet profound, filled me with a dizzying joy. She loved me too. The realization was a tidal wave that washed over me, leaving me breathless and hopeful.