One Kiss Too Short.

The sweet late September air felt like something out of a Hallmark movie. Valentina didn't know whether she should be happy that the air finally starting tasting like cotton candy and fairs or that summer was officially over and her days of soaking up the sun were long behind her. Still, she knew that as the days would become shorter, so would her temper for acting happy, and so Valentina made her way over to the beach that stood a couple of feet away.

The waves lapped at her ankles, lazy, inconsiderate of the fact that she had jeans on. She felt at peace, the moon just out of reach, the sun shying away from it, painting the sky with shades of pinks and oranges. Sitting down where the water barely skimmed her toes, she was able to relax, listening to the sounds that accompanied her own artistic expedition. Her relaxation was short lived though, a laugh stumbling through her thoughts, blocking out the pink and orange rays that were coating her skin. A women about Valentina's age was walking up to her, off balance as if she had one too much to drink.

Just before she was about to reach Valentina, the mystery woman slipped on the sand and fell into Valentina's lap.

"Oh!" She tried to push herself off but ended up only grabbing sand, "I am so sorry. I didn't see you sitting down here."

Up close the woman was even more beautiful, the dying rays of the sun were encompassing her as if she was a goddess. That Zeus himself had held up the sun, keeping it still for a moment to bless everyone who looked upon her.

"It's alright. Do you need help to get up?" The woman nodded and Valentina gently pushed her off her lap, stood up and extended a hand. Gingerly taking it, the woman smiled and Valentina would have melted right into the sand if it wasn't for the cold water keeping her afloat. This woman's smile was brightening. Simply brightening.

"I'm Valentina."

"I'm Katerina but most people call me Kat."

"Most people call me Val."

"Val and Kat. I like the sound of that." Valentina was close to proposing, her insides felt as if molten lava was poured over them, she felt light headed, giddy, and every goddamn emotion that she could manage.

As if her own thoughts seemed to be conjured in Kat's mind, she swayed, her knees buckling.

Valentina frowned, "Do you need help getting back home, you seem drunk."

"If you can, I'd appreciate it. I've only had two- or was it three- something drinks tonight."

Valentina draped her arms around Kat's shoulders, leading her up the sand bank, towards the town. She waved over a taxi, helping Kat in before sitting next to her. After forcing Kat to give her address before she fell asleep, the taxi surged and starting the long drive.

The car was quiet as Kat laid her head down on Valentina's shoulder, but to Valentina, it felt loud. Her heart was going to burst out of her chest. She didn't know how to react, she didn't want to move but she felt as if she needed to move.

Kat didn't say anything as Valentina unlocked her door and got her situated. Not even a see you later. Just silence.

And as she left in a taxi back to her own house, Valentina felt her own heart leave with her. She had fallen head over heels in love with a woman who could only be described as cold rain on a warm day. She was something people took for granted until they had her, and once they did? They never would let go, especially Valentina.