Chapter 37: I Want More Of You...

"Amelia."

"What are you thinking about?" Sylvia’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"What are you thinking about?"

I just stared at her before panic crashed over me. A nervous laugh escaped my lips as I hurriedly pulled away from her. My foot caught the edge of the rug, and I stumbled backward, as I was barely able to catch myself before I fell.

"I..."

"N-Nothing."

I didn’t even know what I wanted to say. I turned and ran out of her room.

The bedroom door flew open with a loud bang. I rushed into the hallway. My heart hammered so loudly I could barely hear my own footsteps.

I didn’t stop until I reached my room.

I pushed the door open and hurried inside. I slammed the door shut behind me as I leaned against it, breathing hard.

My fingers were trembling. "What is happening to me...?"

I pushed myself away from the door, grabbed my phone from the bedside table, and immediately dialed Camila’s number.

Ring!

Ring!

She answered on the third ring. "...Hello?"

Her sleepy voice drifted through the speaker. "Hey, Lia."

It sounded like I’d just woken her up. "I need to ask you something, Cam." The words rushed out before I could stop them.

She yawned softly. I heard the rustling of bedsheets before she spoke again.

"Okay. I’m listening."

I bit my lower lip. How was I supposed to ask this?

I took a deep breath. "When you’re with Daniel..."

"...does your heart ever beat really fast?"

Camila went quiet. "...What do you mean?" Camila asked after a moment.

"And why are you asking me something like that?"

I immediately panicked. "Did I say something wrong?"

"N-No," she laughed quietly. "You didn’t."

She paused. "I was just wondering if someone is trying to steal my baby from me."

I laughed immediately. "No one can steal me," I said, smiling to myself. "Even if I fall in love with someone..."

"I’m still yours."

Camila chuckled. "I’ll remember you said that."

She paused for a moment before answering my question.

"Yes. My heart races whenever I’m with the person I love."

I swallowed. "...No matter the gender?" I asked.

She became quiet before continuing as her voice became gentler. "Yes, Lia."

"No matter the gender. Love is love."

"It doesn’t care who you are."

"It just... happens."

I lowered my eyes and nodded slowly. "...Thank you, Cam."

"You’re welcome," she said, laughing softly.

"But tomorrow, you’re telling me why you suddenly asked me that."

I smiled. "...Fine."

I was about to end the call when something suddenly crossed my mind.

"Wait," I said immediately. "What about today’s tournament practice?"

"Did everyone go?"

"It was cancelled," Camila replied. "Everyone heard about your dad."

"There wasn’t really any mood to practice," Camila chuckled. "And Caleb even said he couldn’t play without his daughter."

I frowned. "...Who’s his daughter?"

Camila burst into laughter. "You."

"He was talking about you."

"Oh..." I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

"Now go to sleep," Camila said softly. "You’ve had enough excitement for one day."

"I will," I said. "...Goodnight, Cam."

"Goodnight, Little Kitten." Camila replied, and I ended the call.

The room became quiet again. Immediately,

Sylvia’s voice echoed inside my head.

"...Do you love me, Amelia?"

I slowly lowered my phone and walked to my bed and lay back. The bed suddenly felt too big and empty.

I turned onto one side and then the other. No matter how I lay, I couldn’t get comfortable.

I sat up with an annoyed sigh, running my fingers through my hair; I let out a long breath. I stared blankly at the wall.

Have I really fallen for Sylvia?

No... that couldn’t be it.

Could it?

When did that even happen?

I couldn’t remember. All I knew was every morning, she was the first person I looked for. Whenever she smiled, I smiled too.

Whenever she got hurt, it hurt me.

And today...

When she started avoiding me. It felt like someone had squeezed my heart. And now I couldn’t sleep unless she was beside me.

I immediately stood up and started pacing around the room.

What if...

While I’m here trying to figure out my feelings, someone else takes Sylvia away from me.

My chest immediately tightened.

No.

I don’t think I can bear seeing her with someone else. Not even a little.

I think... I should just follow my heart. " I muttered, rubbing my forehead with a sigh.

"I’d rather do that than end up like those stupid female leads in web novels who spend hundreds of Chapters running away from their own feelings.

I let out a quiet laugh. "Yeah... I’m not doing that."

Before I could change my mind, I walked straight to the door, pulled it open, and froze instantly.

Sylvia was sitting outside my room. Her back rested against the wall, and her head had tilted to one side. She was already half asleep.

A small smile immediately appeared on my face as I quietly crouched in front of her.

A loose strand of her damp hair had fallen across her forehead. I gently tucked them behind her ear.

Sylvia shifted slightly as her eyelashes fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked at me.

"...Amelia?"

I stood up and crossed my arms. "What are you doing here?"

She rubbed her eyes sleepily. "...To sleep."

I frowned. "Then come inside."

She slowly raised one hand and shook her head.

"No. I don’t want to trouble you anymore."

My heart suddenly hurt. I already knew why she was saying that.

She didn’t want to make things awkward between us. She thought I would feel uncomfortable around her now.

I looked at her quietly. "...What if I already have my answer?" I said, smiling.

Sylvia immediately stood up and blinked the sleep from her eyes. "...What did you just say?"

Instead of answering, I reached out, grabbed her hand, and gently pulled her into my room. The door clicked softly behind us, and neither of us spoke.

I turned back to face her. I slowly stepped closer to her until only a small distance separated us.

I reached up and gently held her chin, making her look into my eyes.

My hands cupped Sylvia’s cheeks, lips pressed on Sylvia’s lips, pulling her into a kiss that started gentle and became something else entirely within seconds. She let out a muffled gasp.

Her lips were so soft, and the taste of her mingled on my tongue, sweet and strange. My hands slid into her soft silky hair, pulling her closer. I pulled my tongue into her mouth as Sylvia opened her mouth, inviting me in. Her mouth was warm.

My tongue slides past Sylvia’s lips, slow and deliberate, painting the roof of her mouth.

Sylvia made a soft and desperate sound against my mouth.

Her hands found my waist and her fingers curled into the fabric of my pajamas as she pulled me closer.

I pulled back a bit to look at her. Her eyes were softened, as if asking for more of me.

"Do you like my answer, babe?" I asked with a smile on my lips.

She smiled and nodded.

I leaned in, slammed my lips against hers, and started kissing her more deeply this time.

I really loved the taste of her. I pulled my tongue into her mouth to taste all of her.

I pulled out slowly, and my right hand came up to cup Sylvia’s jaw, tilting her head before I slid in again. The tip of my tongue met hers as they danced intimately.

Her fingers twitched as she gripped the hem of my pajamas tightly and leaned into me, parting her lips for more.

My hands traveled down her pajamas and finally landed on her hips and gave them a soft squeeze. Sylvia gasps softly as her hips arch toward mine.

I pulled away and looked at her. "You’re really cute, my baby."

"I want more of you, Amelia," Sylvia said weakly.

I smiled, bent down, and kissed her collarbone, sucking the sensitive skin there. Sylvia let out a soft, sweet moan.

"Lia." She gasped.

I really love how she called my name.

It ignites my desire for her. I turned to the other side and sucked the soft skin on her collarbone. Her fingers tightened more on my clothes.

I slipped my hand into her shirt, moving it from her back toward her stomach, tracing all the muscles there. Sylvia twitched at my touch.

My hand came up and cupped her bare breasts, giving them a gentle squeeze. She let out a soft gasp.

I could feel the warmth of her soft breasts against my palms. And I kissed her deeper as I gently squeezed and flicked her already hardened nipples.

Sylvia lifted one hand to my back, her fingertips slowly tracing the line of my spine. A shiver ran through my body, making me twitch as a soft gasp escaped my mouth.

She slowly pulled back but didn’t let go of me. Our foreheads rested against each other as we caught our breath.

Sylvia stared into my eyes for a long moment before a small, nervous smile appeared on her lips.

"...So," she asked softly, her voice almost trembling, "you’re really choosing me... right?"

I smiled and lightly squeezed her nipple. She closed her eyes and gasped. I leaned toward her ear and whispered.

"Do I really have to answer that? Aren’t we already like this?"

Sylvia smiled softly, shook her head, then leaned in and kissed me.

Just then—

Knock!

Knock!

Knock!

The sudden knock made both of us freeze.

We immediately turned toward the door.

"Miss Amelia?"