CHAPTER 001
Emilia's POV
I can't believe this is happening. Niklas, my older brother's best friend, is staying in my place. He's not just staying for a few hours, but potentially for weeks. It all started when his apartment flooded, and now he's here, taking up space in my kitchen, living room, and, worst of all, my heart.
For years, I’ve hidden my affections for him. After all, he’s always seen me as the little sister, the obnoxious kid who needed protection. But now? Now, he's living under my home, and it’s playing with my psyche. My stomach turns every time I see him. I feel as though I have a fresh perspective on him, but the issue is that he most likely only sees me as the child who used to follow him around.
Here he is, seated at the kitchen table, appearing too close, too at ease. I want to maintain my composure and act normally, but how can I do so when his presence makes it difficult for me to breathe? It still makes my heart race to see him wearing that old jacket that used to smell like him when we were younger.
"Are you still going to finish your homework tonight, Emilia?" Niklas asks, jolting me out of my reverie. Even though his voice is low and playful, there's something about it that chills me.
"Yeah. I suppose,” I murmur, feigning to concentrate on my book. However, I'm not thinking about the homework. He is to blame. I sense that he is watching me intently. My heart races with excitement. Was that my imagination?
His presence has always been there, so it's like reliving my childhood. However, things are different now. I feel like I don't know how to behave around him, which makes me feel uncomfortable.
"When do you think we'll fix the flood?" I try to sound informal as I ask.
He shrugs, but there's a flicker in his eyes. “I don’t know. It could be a while. Guess I’m stuck here for the long haul.”
I laugh uncomfortably. “Guess you’re stuck with me, huh?”
He chuckles, but it’s strained, almost like he’s holding something back. "Yeah, I guess so.” His eyes linger on me a little too long, and for a second, my breath catches. Did he feel that? Was it just my imagination?
I quickly look away, pretending to focus on my homework again, but my heart is pounding in my chest. He's sitting so close, and I can feel the heat of his body only a few feet away, making it difficult to focus. Every move he makes seems to echo in the quiet room. I can’t stop noticing him.
Later that night, when we find ourselves in the kitchen together, the atmosphere seems more dense. It’s just the two of us, and the silence is deafening. I’m standing at the counter, trying to ignore the fact that he’s so close that I can hear the faint sound of his breathing.
“So, you’re really going to live with me for a while?” I ask, hoping to break the tension.
He nods, gazing over at me. There's something in his gaze— something that feels different. His gaze is not the usual casual one. This time, it’s… heavier. Almost like he’s looking at me, not as the little sister, but as something else.
I swallow hard, my throat dry. "I don't mind. It's okay, really. I'm capable of managing it.
Even though we are still a good foot apart, I can feel the heat between us as he takes a step closer. His hand brushes against mine by accident, and it’s like an electric shock races through my veins.
I glance up at him, my heart pounding. His eyes are locked on mine, and for a second, I think he’s going to say something, maybe even lean in. But then, just as quickly, he looks away.
"Sorry, I didn’t mean to—" Uncomfortably, he runs a hand through his hair to stop himself.
My stomach sinks. Did I dream that? Did he experience that as well? What caused him to abruptly pull away?
“Um, no problem,” I say, trying to sound casual, even though I feel like I might collapse at any moment.
He doesn’t say anything else; he simply turns to the fridge and gets out a bottle of water. The stillness is smothering, and I can’t help but worry whether I’ll ever know what’s going on in his thoughts.
The whole night feels like a haze. Every time I look at him, I get the strange feeling that things have changed between us. But is it just me? Is he aware of me in that way? Or am I seeing things in my head?
Later, I lie in bed with my mind racing while I stare at the ceiling. I still remember the moment his eyes met mine. Could he view me as something more than his best friend’s little sister? Or was it all in my head?
What does this unexpected intimacy signify for us? What if I'm merely dreaming and hoping for something that will never materialize? My chest hurts at the thought.
The question keeps coming up in my head, and I'm not sure how long I lie there.
How does he feel?
And will he ever let me know?
---
The night seems to go on forever. My mind is racing with uncertainties and questions as each hour drags on. The fact that Niklas is here, sharing my space, is only making things more difficult.
As I attempt to ignore the possibility that there is more between us, I can feel my heart thumping in my chest. But I sense it whenever I'm with him. I sense the draw. Furthermore, I'm not sure how long I can ignore it.
However, how long can I continue to act as though such an attitude is the norm? What if I let these emotions emerge and push him away?
I can't get it off my mind. I'm not sure how to stop, either.
Does he also sense it? Or am I perhaps misunderstanding something here?
