Rising Shards

Ko was buzzing as she approached Lillia’s room. She passed her classes, which meant she’d finally get to kiss Lillia. She’d never been this energetic before a kind of date deal like this. She wondered if she chugged her energy drink too quickly. Maybe all the anticipation was getting to her. Usually when she’d flirt with a girl, they’d be making out pretty quickly, but it wasn’t some huge, dramatic event. It was just fun. Sometimes that fun would lead to dramatic events, like when Ko made out with some different girls maybe a bit too close to each other, and maaaybe not being as clear as she should have been that she was looking for something more casual.

But this felt…different. When Lillia finally opened the door, Ko almost gasped.

Lillia didn’t look any different from normal, she wasn’t in her uniform, but she still looked pristine. Her smile hit like Ko had downed one more Volleyball Muscle Electric Juice.

“Hi,” Lillia said.

“Hey there,” Ko said.

There was an almost awkward silence between the two, another thing that felt surreal to Ko. 

“Well…come on in,” Lillia said. “Apologies for the mess.”

The mess in question was one book left open on a desk with a bunch of bookmark stickers noting passages. “I’m breaking down a book that I enjoyed, trying to understand on a deeper level why everything in it worked so well."

“For class?” Ko asked.

“Just for fun,” Lillia said.

“That’s sick,” Ko said.

Ko wondered if Lillia had dimmed the lights, but realized she had the main ceiling ones turned off, the desk lamp giving the room a very chill atmosphere. That relaxed vibe did not extend to Ko, who felt like she needed to do about a hundred jumping jacks as the two sat on Lillia’s bed.

“Well, um,” Lillia started. “Congratulations on passing.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.” Ko said.

“I’m sure you would have managed,” Lillia said.

“It wouldn’t have been as much of a pass, more just scraping by,” Ko said. “So thanks.”

Lillia nodded. “Would you like your reward now?” 

Ko’s heart pounded. “Y-yeah, if that’s…cool with you.” The hell is going on with me? 

“I said I would,” Lillia said. “And…I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit.”

Her soft smile made Ko want to do two hundred extra jumping jacks on top of that first hundred. 

“You want me to…?” Ko asked. This was something she knew at least. How to make the recipient melt like butter with a gentle touch of the cheek, the perfect way to lean in, and the main event, of course. This should be easy. Lillia shut her eyes and leaned forward a bit. 

She’s so cute. What the hell. I can do this. I’ve done it hundreds of times before. OK, maybe not hundreds. But enough that I’m pretty damn experienced at this. I need to just go for it. I dunno why I’m freaking out right now. Is it really freaking out? I’m just pumped, right? It’s Lillia, and I’ve been wanting this forever and…

“Ko?” Lillia asked.

“Huh?” Ko felt like she’d been dipped in ice. But burning hot ice. Stuck in an ice block that was also made of lava somehow.

“Are you alright?” Lillia asked. “Let’s stop.”

“Sorry,” Ko said. She stared at her hands, as though the answer would be there.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for.” Lillia said.

“It’s just…this is weird,” Ko said. “This isn’t like me.”

“It’s alright,” Lillia said. “Genuinely.”

“Is it?” Ko asked. “I’m…just all…”

“You’re nervous,” Lillia said. “I think, at least. I am too. It’s fine to take this slow.”

Ko sighed, weirdly relieved by that idea. “That’s so not like me, but…”

Lillia held Ko by her cheeks, minding the bandage. “Perhaps it means I’m, or us, rather, is a more…serious endeavor to you.”

“Maybe,” Ko said. 

“Could I do this?” Lillia asked. She leaned in, waiting for Ko’s nod before softly kissing her forehead. 

“Cheek and forehead kisses are good, yeah,” Ko said.

“That can be your reward for now,” Lillia said, patting Ko’s head.

“And…we’ll take this slow for the rest.” Ko said, repeating Lillia’s words.

“I’m a bit relieved too, honestly,” Lillia said. “I would have been fine, but…”

“It should be something really special,” Ko said. “When we’re both ready.”

Lillia giggled. “Agreed.” She looked Ko over. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

“I’m mostly just…embarrassed,” Ko said.

“It’s sweet,” Lillia said. “I like that we can stop if it doesn't feel right. And seeing you of all people get flustered over me is…” She trailed off, gathering her words. “Well, it’s…cute.”

“Ah…heh…” Ko bit her lip to stop her dopey grin.

The two chatted for a bit, but Ko still had too much nervous energy built up in her.

“Sorry to cut this short,” Ko said. “But I really feel like I need to go work out.”

“No worries,” Lillia said. “Could I…maybe join you?”

“For real?”

“I don't know if I can keep up with you, but I have been looking to get more workouts in my regular routine.” Lillia said. 

Ko couldn’t put into words how much that excited her, nor could she say at that moment how grateful she was that Lillia was perceptive enough to catch what Ko was feeling, and that she was willing not to push things forward too fast. The best she could manage was, “Yeah, that’d be awesome.”

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