Page 25 of One Impossible Moment
Was it because she was young?Because she was a female?Because she didn't belong here?
When he set the plate in front of her, she smiled."Thank you."
He nodded, leaning against the counter while she ate.The quiet between them was easy and comfortable since learning more about her last night during their talk.If it made her happy to spend time with him, then it was okay with him.
"You're probably the nicest man I've ever known."She bit into the toast."Who's your best friend?"
"I don't have friends."
She frowned."No one?"
He shook his head.
"Then..."She finished her toast, and as she chewed, she took off two of the many string bracelets from her wrist."I'll be your best friend."
She knotted the two threads together, making it bigger, and motioned for his hand.He held out his arm.She tied it around his wrist, tugging it hard to make sure it was secure, and smiled when it wouldn't budge off his arm.
"There you go."She inhaled deeply and gazed into his eyes."Now, you need to give me something."
He had no idea what ritual it was to swap items.There was nothing he had that she would want.He lived on the necessities.
He rubbed the back of his neck and grunted.There were more important things to do than indulging a sixteen-year-old.She needed to go back home.
"Do you have scissors?"She carried her plate to the sink, washed the dish, and put it in the strainer.
When she finished, he pointed to the drawer.She looked inside, found the scissors, and approached him.
"Turn around."She slipped her hand under his arm, pulling him away from the counter.
He turned.She gathered his hair near his neck.He shivered when her fingers skimmed his skin.
"I'm only taking a little."She snipped."See?"
He turned around to find her pinching a small clump of hair about eight inches long."What do you want that for?"
She laughed, and the sound wrapped around his heart."I'll braid it and make a bracelet since you don't have any embroidery thread to make one for me."She went back to the junk drawer and took out a roll of tape, carefully containing the hair so it wouldn't fall apart."I've never used hair, but I'll make it work."She glanced over her shoulder."That's what best friends do."
"Yeah?"
"I don't know, but I'd like to think my best friend would want to share with me."Her smile faded."Do you think it's stupid?"
"Nah."He wanted her to smile again.
He stepped around her, brushing her shoulder, as he put his mug in the sink.He needed to get her out of here before he lost all his brain cells and let her chop his hair off.
The wind outside shifted.A sudden, sharp gust rattled the window above the sink.Finn stiffened.
Kallie stepped up beside him and looked through the glass."What was that?"
The veil was waking up.If they waited any longer, she might not get out.
"Come on."He grabbed his jacket and thrust it into her hands."Put this on.We need to go."
"Go where?"She shoved her hands into the sleeves.
Dwarfed in the coat, she looked younger and frailer.He put his hand on her back and led her out the front door.
"Finn?"She hugged the front of the jacket closed."Where are we going?"
