Page 174 of Eternal
We stay like this for a few seconds, and I’m burning, dying, like she promised. And she’s breathing softly, her eyes never leaving mine, and when I feel like I’ll snap, I take a step back, just one, but it feels like miles.
I’m about to lose it, and I know I can’t let that happen, not yet.
I turn my back slightly, just enough to get some distance, but my fingers brush against her arm, lingering for a fraction of a second longer than necessary.
“The day I kiss you,” I mutter, “is the day I can finally call you by your real name.”
She stiffens, and I feel her eyes burning into me. I lean in again, close enough to feel her pulse under my lips, but not touching.
Slowly, I graze my lips along her jaw, imagining how sweet she is, feeling how warm she is, just enough to make her shiver.
“Thank you for yesterday.” I pause, “You talked to me and I liked it. So, whenever you want to talk, do it again,partner.”
I pull away before I lose myself completely. Her breath catches, just barely, and I let it hang there, an unfinished promise. “Call and I’ll be there the next second.”
I walk away, but not before I hear her intake of breath, feel the way she’s standing a little too still, her heart pounding faster than it should.
And I don’t look back. I can’t.
Because if I do, I’ll kiss her. And if I kiss her, I’ll never leave.
Out here, I press my hands to my face. Sweat’s dripping down, my chest is burning like I’m suffocating, and I’m shaking…fuckingshaking.
I want her. God, I want her more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
Then my phone vibrates.
Lev
I found a lead on the files you asked for. You can start decrypting them. I hope it can help.
46
AZRA
“Christmas Lights” by Coldplay
Present
It’s cold these days.
I’ve never been scared of winter, just… wary of it. I’ve always hated December.
Maybe because I could hear people celebrating outside while I was locked in a room inside.
Maybe because it never felt like it belonged to me.
But this year is different, still cold, still strange. But different.
I’m on the bench again, waiting. I didn’t ask him to come tonight, I’ve been trying to give us space, or maybe trying to give myself space.
It doesn’t work. He always shows up anyway, and when he smiles, I always end up smiling back.
The cold air catches in my lungs as I exhale, my breath fogging the night like a ghost drifting away.
For a moment, I’m not on the bench anymore. I’m back in that loneliness, in that room I never truly left.
The thin walls, the window from where I could hear laughter, children playing, families celebrating, lovingly.
