The Forbidden flame

n front of my room, said

nute as I begged my po

d still feel his warm breath on my cheek and that nick

ally saw me, not as his best friend's daughter b

tered, I left the door open because it felt kind of stuff

it that said taken, indicating that my roommate had arrive

ll

wn a blur of curls and per

ghed as I hug

If anyone saw Maya outside they'd think sh

doesnt shut up. We had be

w after finally convincing Maya, t

ee-saw a boy pushed me down

t firm voice, "she was here first" then she helped me get on and w

s so surprised when the quiet new girl stood up to the class

el walking away after whispering something in

just hiding somewhere and

e to come out and ruin

hat required you guys to be so clos

d my poor heart has been stirred so much today, can w

t to annoy Maya because I knew she

th everything going on

nd called him, he answ

idn't call earlier. I'm at

afe flight. You must be really t

g," he replied, his

ke care. I miss you

ou so much," he replied, his voice a

ended the call, she probably

glad that she was

e both pulled aw

from?" Maya asked, back

t her, c

can tell me-"she faked a cough to cove

" she finished, smil

d and told h

ectly but her presence lig

d Maya teased

ter than he was the last time we saw hi

in my dreams," I said. The words sl

t!" she e

n to say that out loud. I just lo

ere done arranging and

t, care to spill?" she asked,

bled in protest

, let's go there and have lunch while we tal

nd followe

like a ten minute

ood teased my nose, the place was quiet

and said, "you've only been here three da

ied and shrugged.A waiter came

looked at me, her big brown eyes wide

ming of him non stop for weeks and believe me when I tel

ood, with the look he gave me I could tell h

and continued as

ng happe

e table and leaned forward g

felt like he looked at me differen

" she said, narrowing

woman, not just his best friend's da

tic gasp, "what?Damn girl. Keep g

t at the airport, the car ride then when h

at a mixed dorm, he asked if

would have offered his place," I

asked, surprised."And what did he say?"

like a switch flipped in his brain reminding him it's Ellie. Then he came close, leaned in, and sai

t me, at a lo

econds away from profe

ggeration and ate my food as my

Maya spoke up, "Ellie, I'm seriou

rmally and I read into it because

t definitely not stupid. And remember I was watching you two for a whi

hat he's my dad's best friend t

. Everything about him i

e did that come from? Wh

with the tattoos and everything.

ur lunch my phone be

ng let me know and please

t the simple nickname and

and as I went to sleep that night a fam