|52| • Everest
Taking a few steps back, I took a second glance at the room beside my own, the one I'd been working on all week.
It looked refreshing, resembling Amelia's own back at her house.
From the plain white emulsion painting, I'd called a painter to colour it a pale pink.
I had also taken it upon myself to buy already chopped wood, spray painting them white and fixing it on the walls which now supported plastic vases of artificial flowers.
My eyes gazed over at the large stuffed panda sitting on the bed amongst the pillows, it had been a struggle deciding on what teddy to get her, I knew she loved stuffed animals, but I wanted to get her one she didn't own already.
The panda did just fine. Huffing in satisfaction, I gently closed her room door, walking into mine to take a shower.
I wanted her to be comfortable, and to see my apartment as her home.
Was I doing too much?
Shaking my head, I pulled off my clothes, stepping into the cold shower.
The water calmed my nerves, trailing down until it got to my feet.
Today was the day I'd admittedly been eager for, the day Amelia was coming to live with me.
Perhaps that was why I hadn't sat down for long, I found myself moving from one spot to another, I was nervous.
Squirting the shampoo into my palms, I rubbed it over my hair, shutting my eyes as I washed the grease off.
Amelia had sent me the email from the culinary school, telling her that they were going to be in session a week from now, that was why I'd asked if she wanted to come earlier, so she'd be used to the new environment and whatnot.
Honestly? I just missed her, I wanted to have her all to myself for at least a week.
Good thing she agreed. Although, she told me not to worry about picking her up, saying something along the lines of not wanting to stress me.
From what she said, her friend was going to help her pack up and drive her here.
Binta.
That was the name of the friend, I hadn't met her before but from my excited Amelia sounded when she was the subject; I trusted her just a bit.
Turning off the nozzle, the water stopped rushing from the shower, leaving me to think in silence.
"It's going to be fine," I told myself, finally stepping out of the shower and unto the mat in front of me.
Thinking of the fact that I was going to be seeing her almost every day now, seeing her in those little outfits of hers, seeing her cook or bake around my apartment, seeing her before I went to bed, made me anxious.
Would I be able to control myself? I hadn't confronted the thoughts till now. She was a woman, a beautiful one at that. The last thing I wanted to do was take advantage of her or go beyond what she was ready for. Dammit, I was thinking too hard again.
Going towards my wardrobe, I pulled out a pair of dark brown sweat shorts and a white polo.
When I was done styling myself, I took a look in the mirror.
I'd have to control myself, around her, just saying this, I knew easy was the last thing it was going to be.
Sometimes, my little lady acted suggestively, did she know what it made me think? I chuckled, shaking my head.
Even though everything was ready, I still couldn't get myself to sit down.
So, I decided on warming up the dish I'd made last night.
Goodness, when had I ever felt this nervous?
It was almost ridiculous. When the doorbell rang, my shoulders tensed up.
Was she here already? I checked my phone, seeing that there was no call from her.
The doorbell rang again. Dropping the plate, I jogged to the entrance, peeking through the peephole to see a dark-skinned girl with braids sitting in a bun at the top of her head.
She had her arms crossed, lips moving at some other person I couldn't see.
I rose an eyebrow. Amelia did say Binta was dark-skinned, clearing my throat, I asked "Who is it?
" I saw the woman's head turn to the door, a sneer on her lips.
"Open up! Your girlfriend over here is literally freaking out to see you.
" The person said, "Binta!" My ears perked up at the voice that came after. It was Amelia's.
Opening the door, Binta was fully in view, a shorter body peeking out the edge of the door.
I leaned onto the door frame, "Is my baby hiding from me?
" I couldn't help but ask when I saw her peek from the other side with a shy expression.
"No, I wasn't!" She huffed, folding her arms. Binta cleared her throat, making me look at her.
So this was the woman Amelia was so eager for me to see.
"Nice to meet you, Binta. I'm Everest." I offered a smile, stretching my hand.
She rose an eyebrow suspiciously, taking my index finger alone to shake.
This act made me chuckle, "I'm still a bit suspicious of ya for making her cry so much.
.." Binta trailed off, letting go of my singular finger.
"Ouch." I huffed, placing a hand on my heart.
Amelia gasped, nudging the lady. "Binta!
We agreed not to speak about that!" My lady seethed with a grimace which was absolutely adorable, a smile stretched to my lips.
Binta scoffed, raising her hands in surrender.
"Be nice!" She scolded, making the other huff before looking back at me.
"Nice to meet you too, man." I could already tell this Binta lady was a character, nodding at her attempt to be nice, I decided to reassure her.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on making her cry again, unless it's from excitement.
Scouts honour." I added lightly at the end. Binta squinted her eye are me.
"Were you even in a scout?" Her question made me chuckle.
"I was! Why else would I swear on it?" Amelia cleared her throat, stepping closer to us.
Oh, now she wanted to be seen? I smirked.
"Anyways, this is Binta, Binta, meet Everest." Amelia introduced, grinning at the end of her word.
"So, my stuff is still downstairs, I just wanted the two of you to meet first." She explained, playing with her fingers. I nodded, opening the door wide.
"Make yourself at home, baby. I and Binta will go get your stuff.
" I said, making Binta arch her eyebrow.
"We will?" "But I wanna come!" Amelia and her friend exclaimed in unison, making me laugh.
They seemed opposite yet familiar. "Oh c'mon, I don't want you to stress.
" Amelia's pout almost made me change my mind.
Huffing, I kissed her pouted lips, causing the girl to blush, and look away.
"Oh my goodness, are y'all always this cute?" Binta interrupted with a groan, turning her heel. "Let's go, man, we don't have all day." She huffed, taking the stairs to the ground floor. Leaving the putting Amelia, I followed Binta, not too far off.
When we reached her jeep, I huffed, seeing the amount of bags Amelia had shoved in the boot. Hearing Binta chuckle, I looked down at her. "Trust me, I had to tell her to lighten the load." She said, taking the two duffle bags out and handing them to me before going to take out the third bag.
"I am curious, you actually paid for her tuition, and asked her to move in so the commuting would be easier?
" Binta asked when we entered into the apartment building, climbing up the stairs.
I nodded, "Yes I did." I knew it sounded strange, doing all this for a girlfriend, heck, I'd be suspicious if it happened with Saff.
Binta hummed, "Honestly man? It just seems to go to be true.
" She told me, I knew she cared about Amelia, even though we'd only just met, which made me feel more relaxed around her.
Huffing, I threw the first duffle bag over my shoulder, reaching the front of my flat.
"I guess I just love hard." When I said this, I opened the door, seeing Amelia timidly looking around the living room – and by timidly, I mean she shelled in like she'd shatter anything with one touch.
As we entered, she turned around, a grin evident on her face.
"You have a lovely place, Evie!"
"Did you find your room?" I asked, curious.
"No, I actually wanted you to show me," Amelia responded, shrugging her shoulders. I chuckled at how cute she was being, I guess I did want to see her reaction to my handiwork. "Alright then, stay put alright? We're almost done." Cocking my head towards her room, I and Binta made our way there.
"Whoa! You did this?" Binta said when I opened the door.
Feeling proud of myself, I nodded, puffing out my chest once I'd dropped her bags.
"How is it? Do you think she'll like it?
" I lowered my voice when asking this, not wanting Amelia to hear.
Binta breathed out with wide eyes. "Like it?
I'm sure she'll let out one of the loudest squeals.
You weren't kidding about loving hard huh?
" I shrugged, suddenly feeling flustered.
Clearing my throat, I left the room, closing it quietly.
"Anyways, let's go."
It took only one run to get all her stuff into her room, I had carried her large luggage while Binta carried the duffle bag and a backpack.
With a huff, all her stuff was in her new room and we were walking out while trying to catch our breath.
Amelia ran towards us, "Now, I feel bad, do.
..do you guys want some water? Or tea? Wait, I don't even know where anything is.
" She muttered quietly in realization, bowing her head down.
"Thank you so much for helping me, guys. "
"No problem." Binta said, tipping her shoulders, "Your boyfriend over here doesn't want you to break a sweat." She teased, causing Amelia to cover her face in embarrassment. I chuckled, going to her side and hugging her shoulders. "It's okay, baby, we're done already."
"So, Binta, what should I get you?"
Binta waved her hands, stretching. "I just came here to drop off your lady.
I'm actually on my way to visit my cousin right now.
" She explained, putting her phone back into the pocket of her black sweatpants.
"You sure? Wait a minute." Quickly, I made my way to the fridge, taking out a bottle of water and a can of soda, and jogging back to the living room. "Here, for the road."
The woman grinned, taking it. "Thanks, man."
"And thanks for bringing her." She winked at me, going to hug Amelia.
"See you later, sunshine." I Binta bent down to get a proper hug, patting her shoulders before pulling away.
It was obvious that she wasn't much of a hugger.
I watched as Amelia smiled widely, nodding her head.
As she walked out of the door, it finally dawned on me, Amelia had officially moved in.
"I kind of feel bad that she doesn't have time to stay a little -" Amelia muttered as soon as she closed the door, leaving us two...in our own not-so-little space. I couldn't help it, my hands went around her waist, pulling her back to my chest. She gasped, a giggle following after.
"Hello, stranger." I teased, my face close to her ear.
Finally, I had her all to myself, with no curfew for her to follow.
I saw her lips curl into a sly smile. "Hi there.
" She responded faintly. I missed her, so much.
I loved how soft her body felt in my arms. "Did you miss me? " I asked her, not letting go.
Amelia hummed, turning to face me. "Not really.
.." She trailed off, shrugging her shoulders.
"I mean, I had Preston and Ava with me throughout the weekend, and I worked my finals shifts during the week.
I had no time to miss you." As she said this, her hands slowly snaked up to my neck.
"No time to miss me?" I played along, my hands trailing to her waist, and perhaps a bit lower.
"You better take that back."
Amelia grinned, going on her tiptoes. "Maybe I did miss you just a little bit." She uttered cheekily, placing an innocent kiss on my cheeks before stepping down from her tiptoes. I pouted a frown, "Is that all I get?" She shrugged, "What do you mean?"
"Kiss me already, Amelia." Were my impatient words.
She giggled, her cheeks beaming, before closing the gap between up, finally.
I let her take the lead, taking in her bottom lips softly.
I loved how bold my Amelia had become, her lips merged with mine playfully, her tongue grazing over mine.
I tightened my hold on her hips, deepening the kiss.
There we stood, in front of the entrance door, kissing like it was going to be our last.
Phew, this was going to be hard.
Letting out a shaky breath, I pulled away, trailing down her neck.
I smirked, feeling her shiver against my lips.
"Now that's how to say you missed me," I whispered against her neck, loving how she reacted when my lips touched her skin.
A nibble on her neck earned me a gasp from my little lady, she tensed up, slightly arching her neck. "E-Evie, that tickles."
"Does it?" I hummed, not wanting to stop.
"E-Everest..." Her gentle voice trailed off in a sigh.
Goodness, I wouldn't be able to control myself if I kept going.
"Did it hurt?" I asked, laying a kiss on the sensitive spot.
She didn't answer, she just hid her head in my chest, mumbling incoherent words.
I chuckled. "Are you ready to see your room?
" This seemed to draw her attention because she looked up, nodding profusely.
"So you really prepared a room just for me?
Really? That's so sweet!" She squealed, already bouncing on her heels without even seeing it.
I couldn't help but smile. "Of course, I did, only the best for my woman.
" She hid her face in her palms, covering up her smile.
"Come on, baby. I'm pretty proud of my work.
" Placing my hands on her waist, I gently guided her towards the door.
"This is your room, and the one beside it is mine.
You're welcome anytime." I whispered the last part in her ear, making her jump, moving her ear away with a titter.
"Go on, open it," I told her when we reached.
She turned her head to look at me before taking hold of the handle and pushing the door open.
"Evie!"
That was the first word I heard -- actually, it was more of a shriek, before I could ask if she liked it, I felt the force of her weight throw me back.
My hands went protectively around her waist, steadying her while returning the hug.
She continued squealing into my shoulders, "Is this for me?
Really?" It didn't take long before she jumped off my shoulder, running off to get a better look at the room.
"Oh my! The walls are so pretty! Are these flowers?
It's so nice! Oh my goodness! Who is this cute little guy?
Hello, mister panda." She was everywhere at once, resembling a kid in a candy store, Amelia jumped to the bed, taking the stuffed panda and hugging it against her chest. I couldn't help the laughter which bubbled on my lips, her joy was contagious.
"Evie, is this really for me? This is so thoughtful!
" Her voice croaked, and I noticed she used the panda to hide her face.
"Hey, don't hide your face from me." My hands went to gently push the panda away, seeing her eyes glisten with tears. "Are those happy tears?" I had to ask, I mean, I did just promise not to make her cry. Amelia pouted, nodding timidly at my question. I sighed, "So you like it?"
"Of course, I do, Everest! I love it so much!" She pulled me into a hug, and I nearly fell on top of her. Turning us around, I let her lay on top of me instead. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." Amelia worded, her body pressed against mine as she hugged me tighter. "You're welcome, my dear."
Amelia's smile pushed up her cheeks, our gaze unwavering.
"You're a good man, you know?" My lady told me, her words made my heart warm.
I felt the heat rise to my face, goodness, was I actually blushing right now?
Gabe would tease me to no end. Was this how Amelia felt when I complimented her?
It made me feel darn good. "Thanks, sweetheart," I said, her giddiness made the entire week of hassle putting this room together worth it.
My Amelia was worth the stress.