When you find out that someone you care about was hurt, how do you help them? How do you help them after pouring salt on their wounds?
I could admit it now; I cared about Thea. It had taken me an entire month to come this far, and I had pushed her away… maybe for good.
CHAPTER TWELVE
P A S T
D A Y 6
THEA
“The sun, it burns,” I joked, hiding behind his back when we got outside.
“I know, just push through it, persevere,” he chuckled.
Taking my hand, we walked down my street and into the town. I enjoyed the sight of all the leaves falling from the trees above us. The reds, golds, and oranges, they all made the world so much more beautiful in my eyes.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked.
I pinched my cheeks, not realizing the face I was making. “I love fall. It’s my favorite season. You have to give it to Mother Nature, even when she’s technically dying, she’s doing it like a true lady and going out with style.”
“I would have pegged you as more of a spring girl.”
“You’ve pegged me? Have you been thinking about me, Mr. Black?” I teased him with a laugh.
He rolled his eyes, and placed his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him— “Don’t ask questions you already know the answer to. How can I not be thinking of you?”
I wanted to kiss him.
“Why spring?” I asked, curious as to his assumption.
The truth of the matter was that I needed to stay focused, or else we’d end up right back at my house, or worse yet, doing it somewhere in public. That thought alone caused a momentary throbbing sensation in all the right places.
Why did that excite me? What is he doing to me?
“Because it’s the season that’s full of life. It’s bright and preppy.”
“Preppy? And you were doing so well!”
Preppy?
“What’s your favorite season?” I asked, as I decided to let the preppy comment slide.
“Winter,” he said, “I love the snow, and the way it just blankets everything. It’s beautiful, especially at the crack of dawn, when the world is still asleep, and the sun starts to come up.”
It did sound beautiful.
“Sadly, it’s only a temporary state. Before you know it, we silly humans go and muck it all up.”
“Yes, all that blasted shoveling. Or would you rather everyone just stay inside all winter?”
“That would be glorious,” he said with a smile. “Spend the fall stocking up on food, and just hibernate for the winter,” he half-joked. “Imagine how much fun we could have!”
“As genius as your plan is, imagine how many people would snap if they were locked away with their families for four mouths.”
“Even better! I would make a killin’ in the spring.”
I laughed. “You’re a horrible person.”