Page 50 of A Perfect World
He tucked my hair behind my ear, letting his fingers linger on my cheek. “My mom won’t leave me alone about visiting for Christmas, but my sister is hosting it and I really don’t want to go alone. Jack has plans and I thought maybe you could come.”
Stunned, I stammered, “Are you sure you want me to, I don’t know, meet your family?”
The smile on his face was boyish. “You don’t have to if it’s too soon. I’ve never been in a relationship before, I don’t know the rules.”
I blinked at him. I knew he fooled around plenty before me, but I expected him to have a long list of ex-girlfriends.
“You’re lying,” I balked. He shook his head. I gaped at him, examining every detail. How his lashes were black at the root, lightening at the tips, the ghosts of freckles on his nose, the curve of his lips. “You mean to tell me, I’m yourfirstgirlfriend?”
He bit his lip. “Was I supposed to ask? Shit, I was supposed to ask, wasn’t I?” he groaned. Bubbles like champagne filled my brain, popping in bursts of euphoria. I giggled like a little kid and stole his hand to kiss his palm.
“We don’t exactly follow the rules,” I murmured. He sat up, wrapping his arms around me and touching his nose to mine.
“All I know is, you’re mine and I’m yours,” he whispered. “And I’ll do anything and everything to be worthy of you.”
I gripped his face, “You already are,” I promised and kissed him, hoping it could eliminate his doubts.
“So will you come with me?” he asked.
I rested my forehead on his. “Anywhere, baby.”
A full, beaming smile, “Fuck, I like that.”
“Like what?”
He caught my lip with his teeth, releasing it slowly. “When you call mebaby,” he purred, unleashing a slew of kisses into my neck and chest. I squealed, laughing until we dissolved into a tangled heap.
24
Ollie
Itwasstrangebeingclean. The sun seemed brighter, the world sharper, the air crisper. In my numbed existence, I’d forgotten tastes and smells could be that strong. I didn’t completely hate it.
I’d gone to all of my teachers from last semester andconvincedthem to pass me despite not taking a single final. The same day, Courtney signed up for a program run to teach dance to local kids unable to afford traditional studios. Because of course she did, she was a fucking angel. It was also the perfect excuse to give to her pathetic mother.
“Will you confront her?” I asked, lazily toying with a lock of her hair. Her feet kicked back and forth, nails drawing circles on my chest. My nightmare woke her up, neither of us able to fall back asleep.
“I’ve never confronted her about anything,” she admitted. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”
I dropped her hair. “You could call her. She can’t hurt you through the phone.”
She laughed bitterly. “As I’m sure you know, there are many ways to hurt someone with nothing more than words.”
The image of Courtney’s bleak expression and bloodshot eyes on the day I discovered marks on her arm came to mind. I hugged her reflexively.
“I know I can’t protect you from that kind of pain, but if you choose to confront her about Merit, I’ll be right beside you.”
Her mouth crashed into mine, kissing me senseless.
Hands tucked in my pockets, I strolled towards the Theater where Courtney was finishing the plans for her first class on Monday. Cold air stung my nose and eyes; I hadn’t gone outside in almost a week. I’d been in her bed this whole time and hadn’t been able to fuck.
But this morning, I woke up feeling better. I even drank coffee without gagging.It’s the little things.A quick glance at the door and it opened without my fingers having to touch ice cold metal. Classical music drifted from the end of the hall, drawing me closer and closer.
To her, gravity was a fictional construct as she floated and flowed seamlessly in a manifestation of the melody. Hypnotized by the fluidity of each movement, she commanded my absolute devotion. When the music stopped and her body stilled, I was left aching for her to begin again. She smoothed the sheen of sweat from her forehead into her slick bun. I didn’t dare disturb her, content to admire her as she caught her breath.
Our eyes met in the mirror, hers more lilac in the light. She smiled shyly. “How long have you been lurking?” she asked, spinning around. I sauntered across the scuffed dance floor.
“Long enough.”
