Sailor's Heart

Arabella watched as Bonnie laid her head on her lap. Her room was dim, only the light from her pink lamp lit the space. They were both quiet as the waves from the beach outside Bonnie’s window splashed softly. 

“I can’t believe you're here.” Bonnie whispered, kissing her thigh gently. 

Arabella smiled and ran her hand through her long red hair. “You grew your hair out.” She murmured. 

“Yeah.” 

“I like it.” 

Bonnie looked up with glassy eyes. “How long are you staying?” She asked. Arabella swallowed and looked out the window, knowing that on the other side of the beach, her parents were prepping the boat. 

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning.” 

Bonnie gripped the gray material of her sleep shirt. “H-how long will you be gone?” She whispered. 

“I don’t know.” Arabella whispered back. She looked down at the girl below her. Bonnie was crying, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. They locked eyes and Arabella was, not for the first time, enthralled with how blue her eyes were. Like the ocean, but sadder and even more beautiful. 

“Don’t leave. Just stay here.” Bonnie begged. 

Arabella shook her head. “I can't.” 

“Kiss me then. For real. On the mouth.” Bonnie stood up and sat fully on her lap. Arabella gripped her waist gently. “Please?” She whispered. Arabella nodded and drew her in. Their lips met softly. It was perfect and clumsy and wet with tears they were now both crying. When they pulled away, both girls were panting with wide eyes. 

“You taste like… like moonlight.” Arabella breathed. 

Bonnie furrowed her brows. “What-what does that even mean?” 

“I don’t know.” Arabella admitted before she kissed her again. The waves outside grew louder with the high tide. 

Bonnie woke up with Arabella still in her arms, her face nuzzled into her shoulder as the early sunlight seeped into the room. Arabella was leaving again soon and something told Bonnie that this might be the last time they’d get to hold each other. Bonnie kissed her gently. Arabella tasted like something bittersweet. 

“Be safe, my beautiful sailor.” She whispered. She tugged her closer and Arabella tightened her fists in her purple nightgown. 

“I will.” She said against the skin of Bonnie’s shoulder. 

Bonnie tangled her finger gently in Arabella’s sleep mussed blonde hair. “I wish we could just sleep through this.” Arabella sighed, her voice muffled. 

“Can’t we just run away?” Bonnie asked quietly. 

“Where would we go?” Arabella replied. “If I don't get back soon, they’ll come looking.” 

Bonnie said nothing for a long minute. She knew it was true, but for a moment she almost prayed. Prayed to something she didn’t believe in that it wasn’t true and they would get to stay here forever. 

“Just a little longer.” She tightened her arms around Arabella and the other girl kissed her jaw.

“Just a little longer.” She agreed. 

The world outside woke up gradually. First it was the seagulls, then it was Bonnie’s mom downstairs and the sizzling pan on the stove. Finally it was the bell echoing through the air, signalling the docks were open. 

“I have to go.” Arabella whispered. 

“Kiss me.” Bonnie replied desperately. Arabella kissed her once, twice. Six times before she let go and crawled out of bed to get dressed and gather her things. Bonnie opened the window, letting the sunlight and cool breeze into her bedroom. Arabella climbed down using the thick ivy vines. She looked up at Bonnie and blew her a final kiss. Bonnie caught it and watched her go with wet eyes and a feeling in her chest that would never leave. 

“Goodbye, my sailor.”