Space

We decided to play it low for a few days. Meanwhile, we were scheming. There was a slight break in our schedule just before the actual competition. That would be our moment to strike.

We arranged with our friends to hold a competitor party on the eve of the first dress rehearsal and Jury show. Although our group arranged the party, we decided to leave the 'organisers' to be publicly just Aina and Josh. Everyone seemed to get along with them, so it hopefully wouldn't raise any alarm bells for our delegations.

Of course, it was just an opportunity for Marco and me to be there together. It would also be nice to bond with some of the other acts. Once the party started, the two of us would slip out.

When the night rolled around, we ensured none of the delegation staff was lurking as we greeted all the other acts. It was actually quite pleasant to properly talk to the other acts in a less formal setting outside the pre-parties and the Gala. Once we were certain our delegations weren't watching, we decided to make our move.

Aina decided to cause some minor chaos, Ruby and Sofia kept a lookout for us, and Josh continued to be the bubbly host everyone loved. With all this going on, Marco and I managed to sneak up to the hotel's roof.

Sure, we couldn't sneak out far, but the roof alone together was more than enough. We brought a picnic rug and sat down under the stars. Staring up at the stars as they twinkled was somewhat romantic.

I knew we wouldn't be able to spend too long out here. But I had to take every moment I could.

"Gee, it's quite a cold evening," I commented, shivering.

"I guess you'll just have to cuddle up to me to keep warm."

I leaned into him, resting my head on his chest. I could hear the faint thump of his heart, how it sped up the longer I lay on him. No doubt, if someone caught us, we would be in serious trouble. But I didn't care. All that mattered was this moment with Marco.

I slid my hand into his but couldn't make eye contact; I was too embarrassed. Holding hands just felt like we were crossing a boundary we shouldn't. Still, I didn't care. We lay side by side, staring at the endless expanse above us.

"The sky is beautiful," I commented.

Without warning, Marco made a move, pinning me to the ground below him.

"Not as beautiful as you."

"Wh-wh-what?!"

I had nowhere to run. His hands were holding my arms pinned above my head. I couldn't look away. I had to stare at his gorgeous face while he said all these embarrassing things. He leaned in, his brown eye sparkling more than even the stars above.

He passionately kissed me. He had kissed me many times before, but it was like time itself had stopped this time. Like my spirit and his were melding together. Melded through our joined lips.

After an unknown amount of time, Marco pulled back. I was panting out of breath.

"M-Marco!" I struggled to say.

He let out a small laugh.

"Blake, you're so very cute."

He kept calling me cute and teasing me, but I kind of liked it. I thought back to my conversation with Darcy the other night and the advice she gave.

"I am only cute to try and seduce you," I replied, trying to be seductive and failing. I left out the more intimate talk Darcy suggested because I couldn't bring myself to say it. It was way too embarrassing.

It seemed this was enough because Marco's grip eased, and he quickly turned his head, the redness of his ears signalling that it was enough.

He lay back down beside me, perhaps so he, too, could catch his breath. At that moment, a shooting star shot across the sky. Without a moment of hesitation, I closed my eyes. As the shooting star faded, Marco turned to look at me.

"Did you wish for anything?" He asked.

"I did."

"What did you wish for?"

"If I told you, then it wouldn't come true." I stuck my tongue out at him. Some secrets were meant to be kept.

"You won't tell me?"

"Nope"

"So you don't love me," he performed a crying gesture.

"Sorry, but I can't tell you because I want this wish to come true."

"Well then," he tapped me on the nose with his finger. "I won't tell you my wish either."

I kind of wanted to know Marco's wish, but at the same time, I couldn't tell him about my wish. How could I say to him that my wish was to win Solstice and spend the rest of my life with him? That I wanted to marry him? How could I tell him all that? One, I wanted the wish to come true. Two, I would be too embarrassed to tell him.

Still, I felt somewhat bad about not telling him.

"Well, how about this, if either of us wins Solstice, I will tell you." I offered. Sure, I would be embarrassed if I told him about the marriage bit, but at least I wouldn't have to worry about the Solstice bit by then.

"Alright, if either of us wins, I will also tell you mine." Marco agreed.

He held out his pinky, and I instantly had a flashback to our childhood when we did the same, watching Solstice together. He had promised to propose to me if I won.

Surely, he had forgotten that promise. I wouldn't hold it against him if he forgot. It was seven years ago. We were kids. But my heart twisted. Maybe our promise would come true.

I wrapped my pinky around his. I thought he would end it there, but he leaned in and kissed me again.

"Sorry, pinky promises are good, but I prefer a tongue promise," he winked as he said this.

"M-M-Marco! That's not how it works!" I replied, my brain completely fried.

─── ༻ ☼ ༺ ───

End of Chapter 28