Page 104 of Forever Cursed

The sun begins to set, casting a warm, golden hue across the horizon. The sky reminds me of pink cotton candy, with wispy clouds and hints of blue from the lingering afternoon sky. The air has a gentle breeze that carries the scent of freshly cut grass. More people trickle outside, and lamp posts automatically turn on as the evening sets in. Castle Brook looms in the distance, the castle-like structure looking magical and astonishing.

A pit forms in my chest, the hollow feeling radiating to my stomach. I miss him more than words can express.

Pushing that thought to the back of my mind, I focus on the walk back home. Fireflies light up the grass, and it brings a smile to my face.

Memories of Zack, Gwen, and me catching them in our front yard surface. We used to stay out past nine, catching those bugs, only to release them all at the same time, just to watch the light show they would create. We would often end those long summer nights with s’mores or Italian ice. I miss being a kid. Why was I excited to grow up? I’m always under some sort of stress, and my free time is vanishing. I would pay good money to be a kid again, even if it’s just for a day.

“Bubbles?”

My sneakers scuff on the concrete outside my dorm hall. I spin around and face an amused Rome.

“You were in deep thought, weren’t you?” he asks with a smirk.

“Yes, sorry,” I say with a breathless chuckle.

My eyes dart over him, landing on the bag he’s holding in his hand. “What are you doing here?”

He holds the plastic bag up and closes the distance between us. “I thought we could have a sleepover.”

The thought brings a toothy smile to my face. “Really? What about Korra?”

“She’ll be fine. I set her up in a fluffy bed and left the TV on.”

I snicker at the thought of that white cat lying in her cat bed watching TV, but what makes it even better is the fact that Rome did all that for her.

“I wouldn’t have pegged you as a cat dad,” I tease.

“What can I say? I’m full of surprises.” He shrugs, and we smile at one another.

Moments pass, and neither of us says anything or moves a muscle. My heart swells with his proximity, and I’d give anything to hug him and never let go.

“Are you going to invite me inside?” He leans in and brushes a stray curl behind my ear.

I blush at the contact. You would think we were back to friends who had a crush on one another.

With a slight chuckle, I nod toward the door. “Let’s go. I hope you have some sweets in there.”

“Of course I do. Who do you think I am?”

I peer over my shoulder just as he reaches in front of me to open the door. His eyes are red, and his nose sounds stuffy. He was crying earlier today, and now the urge to hug him overpowers me.

Without another thought, I wrap my arms around him. I rest my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat. The rhythmic thumping increases, and his ocean cologne surrounds me. Rome rests his chin on the top of my head, and I nuzzle closer.

“I want us to be us again,” I whisper against his chest.

“Why do you think I’m here?”

I look up at him and meet his twinkling green eyes.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Rome lets out a peaceful sigh and kisses my forehead. “Me too.”

Chapter Forty-Seven

Rome

Iknew I had to see her after my little breakthrough with Raina today. Gwen suggested a self-care night, and it was brilliant. I ran to the store to buy all the supplies and found myself waiting outside her dorm building with no time to spare.

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