Apologise to Amber

{if GameMode == true}

You take a moment to take in your surroundings. The cool breeze from the ocean caresses your bare chest, the warmth from the campfire counteracting it's effect on your body temperature. Around the campfire are a couple of fallen logs, with familiar faces sat on them or next to them. Every one of those faces is looking at you.

You're not sure what triggered it but you realise that you're acting out of control. Maybe it was the fact that you had every pair of eyes on you, or that you could feel Amber's eyes drilling holes in the back of your skull. You wouldn't normally get worked up so easily. A few deep breaths and your head is clear. You turn away and go back to sit down next to Amber.

“Amber I'm sorry,” you begin, “I don't know what got into me-”

“It's okay,” she says, resting a hand on your arm.

“I-” You begin.

“Don't worry about it, I think I understand what you're going through.” She says, her soothing voice calming you down.

“Can you?” You ask, in a much more composed tone.

“Yeah, you're just directing pent up frustration on those around you.” She says.

“Wait, why do you think I said that to Adam?” You quickly ask her, wondering whether she heard what he said prior to your outburst.

“As I said, you're frustrated.” She replies.

You frown and divert your gaze to the bright fire burning before you.

“Obviously that's not it then,” says Amber. “What happened then?”

“Nothing, you were right.” You mumble, deciding for some genius reason that not telling her might be better for the overall outcome of the situation.

“If you don't want to tell me that's fine, but know that you can always talk to me.” Says Amber.

The two of you sit in silence for the next few minutes.

“You forgot the medical kit,” she says, standing up. “Let me sort out your head.”

While still sitting down, you hold out your hands at Amber. She takes them and pulls you up, the two of you making your way to the two briefcases, being extra careful not to tread on anyone's feet.

“Do I really need another bandage?” You ask her.

“Yes, it'll stop infection.” Replies Amber, as she bends down to unclip the two clasps on the metallic box.

As she opens the box and begins to study it's contents, you take a moment to admire her. Before this she was studying to become a doctor, and her hardworking nature is something of hers that you wish you had.

“Found it,” she says, snapping you out of your small trance.

“Found what?” You ask, looking intently at the two small vials in her hand.

“A saline solution to clean it and iodine to disinfect it,” says Amber, bringing them to you. “Turn to the side.”

You pivot your body slightly, knowing fully well that she's much too short for her to be able to apply that stuff to you.

“Ugh, can you sit down instead.” She says, getting impatient.

You throw yourself on the ground, sitting with your legs stretched out on the soft sand. Amber gets on her knees next to you, gently tilting your head and opening the packet of saline solution.

You inhale sharply as you feel a cold sting where your wound is.

“Pussy,” mumbles Amber.

“Hey!” You whine.

After she's finished applying the iodine to your wound, she insists to put a bandage on but you refuse, causing her to get irritated at you. Instead of listening to her explain why infection prevention is important, you simply observe how cute she is when she's frustrated.

You look at her delicate features, from her soft lips and flawless skin to her kind eyes and long lashes. Even though your relationship so far has been completely platonic, you can't help but occasionally wonder what it would be like if things developed further. Every time she talks about other guys a small part of you still pulses in jealousy, a sort of unhealthy possessive feeling.

“Are you even listening to me?” Asks Amber, snapping you out of yet another internal dialogue.

A feeling washes over you, an impulsive one, and you're not sure if you want to give in to it. Half of you just wants to grab her and press your lips against hers, but the other half is thinking about all the possible consequences that could come along with that, as well as the terrifying prospect of rejection.

“Julian-” She begins to ask.

You felt like time stopped when your lips met hers, but the flutter only intensified. Your heart is pounding in your chest as your knees get weaker. You can only focus on how soft Amber feels against your mouth, how addictively you invade all her senses.

It still isn't clear if she wants this as much as you do, but there is raw emotion in the way her fingers are curling around yours. You manage to sneak a guilty peek at her every time she comes back for air, just to make sure this wasn’t a product of your imagination.

The warm feeling of Amber's breath, although destabilizing, was inviting. This time around you drape both arms around her petite frame and meet her lips again. As your hands snake their way downwards, Amber suddenly pulls back.

“I-I can't,” she mumbles, before stepping back and hastily walking back to the camp.

{else}

Please turn on game mode to read the full story. Head to the menu at the top right, then select ‘Start Game’ under the ‘Score’ tab.

{endif}