A Yearning Beyond Years

ey's

n remember

ss of his body, the way he made everything else disappear, e

e feelings bub

my heels reverberated across the stone walkway. After fumbling with the keys, droppi

. I had no idea how I got home, but I did. I was ha

at would calm your senses and

s, I leaned against the sink. I kept thinking about my reflection, which was staring back at me wit

. I looked... alive. After everythi

rned

down just to feel normal again. The hot water was already running, steam clouding

g

he shower and le

ed it

y back, clinging to my skin like memories I couldn't wash away. I slowly washed

de you

eyes, enjoyi

s warmth. His conviction when he said he liked me

ussy, my eyes still closed

softly.

elf catchin

ding another; it still felt to

, pl

back and forth while the ot

oa

and faster, feeling mysel

k, Noah, pleas

was happening, I had already

le wall, my breath fogging the surface a

r, I finally turned off the

t... becaus

forced myself out. One step at a time. I wrapped a towel around myself

m and sat slowly in

ter. I grabbed the blow dryer but didn't turn it on yet. I

tice

all. Faint

ick

ing hic

d sharply and turned away from the mirror, but the image was alr

out it. Don't

an't stop

ith hunger. Like he meant it. Like he had been holding back e

he called my name like it was something precious. I remembered his

myself

ouldn't

nt... I had

part that s

let him. That I kissed him back. That part of me

ughts for a few minutes, giving me some kind of armor from the

shed drying my hair

front door o

I stood up quickly in bed, grabbing the robe tighter arou

lowed next before I heard a s

ss

aped

wide open, her curls bouncing, her eyes full of that kind of pure, naive happiness only

arms around her, holding her so tig

ulder. I didn't even realize I was crying all

ed you,

you more,"

just enough to look at

ng hair off her

ossed, her lips curving into a tender smile. Sh

," she said softly. "Thought you could

y at her. "You have no idea h

he had that careless ease that made her feel like home even when the res

" She spoke softly but firmly. "And you s

el strong,"

to feel it to

a shudder

can we watch a movie tonight? O

much sweet. How about just cookie

which movie sh

, of Agatha's annoying smile, of Noah's touch, his lips, the kiss I couldn't lose-they all faded. N

aby." I kissed her f

e living room, already shouting out th

d back

you.

knowing smile. "You neede

my heart was s

need, she's all I care abou