Like a moth to a flame. I’m attracted to her light.
Yet it’s her darkness that calls to me the strongest, so familiar to me.
The sadness in her soul calls to mine.
I’m desperate to know all the things that make her smile and chase her demons away, soaking up as much of that sadness away, so she never has to fake a smile again.
“You cooked breakfast?”
Her smile is slow and I watch it grow on her face in fascination.
“I realized when I woke up this morning that I never thanked you for helping me out last night.” She turns to go back to the kitchen. “And for staying the night when I’m sure you had better things to do.”
“Pretty sure those plans involved you too.”
Ria looks over her shoulder at me and for a moment I bask in the awe in her eyes.
It’s a thing of beauty, the revelations flashing through. Like she can’t believe I’m real or that anyone could possibly do something as simple as ensure her safety.
“Believe it.” The words slip before I can catch them.
Her eyes expand to saucers and she turns back around to face me, a dish in her hands.
Smelling as delicious as she looks, I can’t bring myself to look away.
Why her?
Why me?
Why now?
There’s a reason this thing between us is so strong, so palpable in its intensity.
For the first time in my life, I find myself wanting someone, needing someone.
But then I watch as her eyes dip to her feet, breaking the connection between us, and I take a mental step back.
For now.
I incline my head towards her room. She had let me use her bathroom last night, but I still wanted her permission knowing everything is always different in the morning.
I don’t know where her head is at but I know she feels this between us.
And she’s scared.
“Do you mind if I use your bathroom?”
Her eyes meet mine again shyly. “Yes, of course. I set a toothbrush for you by the sink.”
It doesn’t take longfor me to wash up. I shuck my sweater off, leaving me in the long sleeved shirt I had on underneath. I run my fingers through my hair as best I can as I leave her bathroom.
I’m trying to win the girl here, not scare her off even more with this nest on my head.
I pause inside her bedroom for a moment.
It’s like she doesn’t even live here, the space completely devoid of personality.
It’s sparse except for a small shelf of books on her bedside table with a few personal items and a single framed photo.