Night's End

Kanna woke up. Half of her body was hanging off the edge of a fluffy futon mattress. She was staring at the ceiling. She took a moment to observe the area, and let as much familiarity return to her as possible.

This must be my room. Kanna thought to herself. But…Why can’t I remember anything?

Kanna struggled as hard as she could, frantically reaching as deep as she could within the pool of her memory. However, this morning, Kanna found that the waters were murky, and her disturbing them only made things worse. A familiar panic began to nest its hooks within Kanna’s chest. It was an existential fear not unsimilar to that of drowning. This feeling was one that she’d unfortunately been acquainted with on more than one occasion. Kanna ran through her practiced routine. She crossed her arms across her chest and took several deep breaths. With each exhale, the suffocating tides receded, and Kanna once more had the clarity of mind to observe her surroundings.

She surveyed the area and noticed the beautiful brick walls, exposed beams, and rustic looking windows of what she realized was a renovated mill.

Oh how adorably charming. Kanna’s heart fluttered as she took in her surroundings. Cutting into her thoughts, Kanna suddenly felt the sheets next to hers rustle, and felt like something had touched her. Kanna looked to the source and saw a red-headed girl sprawled out on a futon pulled up next to hers. The girl was snoring loudly and was taking up her own futon along with half of Kanna’s.

…Who?...Who is this…? Kanna’s head began to ache. No name would appear. But, she knew by instinct that this must be someone whom she was deeply intimate with.

Maybe this is Aya or Saffron’s partner? Kanna thought to herself. She put a finger to her lip and scratched her head. Does she sleep here every night? Perhaps we’ve been dating a long time and this girl has moved in…that must be it.

Rustling and groaning interrupted Kanna’s thoughts. The bushy redhead quickly sprang to life and slouched over groggily.

“Ughh…morning again,” Ivy groaned while rubbing her eyes.

What do I do? For all I know, this could be the morning after our first time. Or we could be years married? Kanna sat frozen, unable to make a move as her thoughts raced. Meanwhile, Ivy had reached for her glasses, put them on, and turned to face her.

“Chippy. Good. You’re awake,” Ivy said with a warm smile. Kanna returned her smile with one of her own.

Well, here goes nothing.

“Morning, my lover,” Kanna said soothingly. She reached over and brushed a strand of Ivy’s hair from her face while giving her a vulnerable smile.

Ivy’s eyes shot wide open and her face was more red than her hair. Her mouth hung open for a long five seconds before words managed to finally escape her paralyzed lips.

“C-Chippy…” Ivy paused and exhaled loudly. She turned her head to the window. The early autumn morning was just beginning to trickle through, lighting Ivy’s profile.

I’m pretty sure I got it wrong. Kanna’s heart sank for a moment, but quickly bounced back. But you know, what the heck? I’ve gone this far. I might as well keep playing the part. Maybe something good will come of it, or I can brush it all off as a joke later.

“Sorry, Haha, I-I mean…this is all so sudden. I wasn’t expecting…so soon—you and I,” Ivy said, her face was somehow glowing even more red as she tripped over just about every word in her sentence.

“What ever do you mean, honey?” Kanna said, laying it on thick.

Ivy shifted nervously in place. She ran her fingers through her hair, stopping every once in a while to twirl a few stray strands. Her eyes glistened, as she gazed up at Kanna with a look of vulnerability.

“Please—don’t misunderstand. This isn’t a ‘no’. Um. I Just—you see,” Ivy trailed off as she looked to the ceiling, searching for words.

She definitely seems interested. Perhaps this was something in the making? Kanna thought. In that moment, a bright light flashed in her mind. She recalled being just inches away from the girl’s lips. Memories of them together giggling, hugging, and talking deeply about their feelings late at night filled her mind. There was undoubtedly a fondness for each other, something blossoming, the extent of which was becoming more clear by the second.

Still…there’s some hesitation. Why? Kanna thought to herself a moment. Maybe it’s because we’re both girls, and this is something new that we’re both easing into?

“Um…do…you have reservations about us being open? Is this…” Kanna moved in close to Ivy’s ear, “…Your first time with a woman?” Kanna spoke in a hushed tone, as if to safely guard a delicate secret.

“My first time with a—what the…Erm, no! It’s not like that. I mean,” Ivy jumped back, her voice strained. “Geeze, Chippy. When did you become so…” Ivy blurted out while scratching the back of her head, looking away as if to search for a reprieve from the tense air between the two.

Kanna felt her heart recoil, and a tense feeling wrap around her chest. Have I gone too far? She thought. Kanna felt the tide slowly rise. Her throat tightened as she felt herself slowly submerge. Kanna gasped for air, tears falling from her eyes.

“Chippy?! W-What’s wrong? Are you okay?” Ivy shouted. She grabbed Kanna and leaned her into her shoulder, letting her face rest in the shapely curve of her neck. Kanna felt a warm, familiar scent fill her. The fluffy red nest of hair was like a warm hearth on a snowy night in the dead of winter. Kanna huddled close, savoring every moment of comfort that she was given, praying to the stars that each moment would last a lifetime.

“I…” Kanna felt a wave rise from the recesses of her mind. She reached down, but the memory slipped between her fingers. “I’m so scared. I can’t remember anything.”

“Chippy, relax. Deep breaths okay? Everything is going to be okay.” Ivy rubbed Kanna’s back. She ran her fingers through her hair, gently scratching her scalp. “I know everything. We talked very recently and you told me all about yourselves.”

“I did?” Kanna said with a sniffle. “But I’ve never told anyone?”

“Oh but you did. Last night you told me everything. You were very brave.” Ivy looked down at Kanna and smiled. “You’re safe with me, I promise. You can be yourself, and you don’t have to hide.”

“Really? Um, you promise?”

“I promise. After all, Chippy. We shared in one of the school wonders together. So you’re stuck with me now.” Ivy winked.

A crack of thunder followed by an ear splitting headache ran through Kanna. Her memories came rushing back, so fast that she nearly blacked out and choked. Kanna heaved a few times painfully.

“Shhhh… There, there…” Ivy patted Kanna gingerly on the back until her breathing slowed and her body relaxed. After some time, Kanna slowly sat back up and looked her directly in the eyes.

“Ivy?”

“Hehe. Yup. Is that you, Kanna?” Ivy smiled.
“Yeah, I-it is.” Kanna brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She looked over at Ivy and smiled wryly. “It’s odd hearing you call me that.”

“Hehe, it’ll just take a bit of getting used to.”

“You can still call me Chippy if you’d like,” Kanna said. She turned her head and gazed out the window, searching for the stars, but only finding the light of day. However, somewhere within the vestiges of night’s last stand, Kanna barely made out a faint glimmer; A fleeing moment of magic that was quickly tucked away beneath the bright blanket of sunlight. It was the type of moment that one could easily write off as imagination, but for those brave enough to believe, it was a light worth beholding.

“Nah.” Ivy shook her head and smiled with a look of resolve in her eyes. “I don’t think I will.”

“Why’s that, Ivy?”

“Because nicknames like that, are reserved for friends.”

A warmth enveloped Kanna. Her heart raced, and a rush of pleasure flowed wildly around her like a heavy rain of cherry blossom petals. The two girls locked lips, gently opening their mouths and letting their feelings for one another firmly take root. For that brief first moment, each of their passions for one another ran free, and their arm’s embrace knew no bounds. Before long, the storm calmed, and the blossoms fell to a gentle trickle. The two parted lips, and leaned their foreheads against one another, each quietly breathing in silence.

“Is…Is this okay?” Kanna’s voice trembled.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Coming out like this, I’m a little nervous.”

“Let people think what they want.” Ivy said. She nuzzled Kanna and tilted her chin up, and locked eyes with her. “We both know who we are. That’s all you and I need.”

“Yeah. You’re right, Ives.”

“‘Course I am,” Ivy said with a chuckle. She tapped Kanna’s nose with her finger, and Kanna recoiled playfully, shaking her head. “Told ya the school wonder was real.”

“Hehe, guess you really are the school witch, huh?” Kanna smiled warmly. Sunlight broke through the window once more, and a beam of light moved between the two, enveloping the girls in the shimmering light of day.

“Yup. Already told you that, silly.” Ivy grinned.

“Oh, that reminds me,” Kanna put a finger to her lip. “Did you actually decide to move into my room or something?”

“And move out of my beautiful space? Please, Kanna.”

“You mean the storage closet next to the kitchen?”

“My storage closet, thank you very much. Hrmph!” Ivy crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks.

“Hehe, it’s fine. But what brought you here last night, Ives?”

“Well, we talked all night last night. You fell asleep mid conversation…face first into your pillow actually. I was slightly worried. So I brought up a spare futon and decided to watch over you.”

“And then you fell asleep…?” Kanna smiled and tilted her head.

“Heh, Yup. Guess so.” Ivy shrugged.

The two giggled for a moment and quietly enjoyed the rest of their morning together. Ivy made coffee and the two shared it in Kanna’s room. After some time, Kanna slowly got to her feet and got dressed as Ivy prepared to leave.

“I think I’ll be heading back to my room for now.” Ivy said with a warm smile. “Think you’ll be okay from here?”

“Yes, thank you…my love.” Kanna smiled and looked to the side. Ivy grinned, walked over to Kanna, and kissed her on the forehead.
“I’m just a flight of stairs away if you need me. Okay, Kanna?”