I nod, climbing onto the ledge. “Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea,” I murmur, eyes squeezed shut.
“Nova?” His voice steadies me.
“Hmm?”
“Do you trust me?”
I open my eyes. His gaze is unwavering. “With my life.”
He steps directly beneath me, arms out. “Go on, jump. I swear I’ll catch you—just like a princess.”
“I’m not a princess,” I whisper, hugging myself.
Do it, Nova. Don’t be afraid. I leap from my window. My feet never touch the ground, because his arms catches me in an instant.
“You are a princess,” he murmurs in my ear. “My island princess.”
“I’m more of a freak than an island princess,” I whisper as he helps me down. My heart has started pounding again—so hard it might explode any second.
Vincent cups my face in his hands and brushes my cheeks with his thumbs. “You once said not everyone gets to be special. And I really think being special is the best thing anyone can be. You are—different from anyone I’ve ever met. Like Ro from that movie you love: strong, kind, and a little wild. You’re the island princess of San Francisco. And I guess... that means a lot more to me than I’ve ever thought. So please, Marshall, stop thinking that you’re a freak. It’s okay to be one–to talk with every animal you see. That’s what makes you Nova Elizabeth Dehlia Marshall. My shiny supernova, right? Someday you’re going to break away from this place. You’re going to find your way back to life. You’re brave, Nova. You’re one in a million... You’re bursting with life; you just need to let it shine. I know you’re afraid of future but you’re going to find your place in the world. I promise.”
Before I can answer, he presses a kiss to the tip of my nose, then slings his backpack over his shoulder. From it, he pulls out a carton of my favorite cocoa milk and hands it to me. He takes my phone and keys, tucking them safely into his bag. “There’s a hard rock band playing until midnight. Want to go?”
I don’t even answer. I just take his hand, lacing my fingers through his. His thumb strokes the back of my hand, sending sparks up my arm. “Did you get tickets yet?”
“Nope.” He grins, and we take off running into the streets of Sunset District. My foot throbs with every step, but I don’t tell him.
-*?? . ??? ? ?.-*??
It’s after midnight, and we’re wandering the quiet streets of the Richmond District, sharing a bag of caramel popcorn from 7-Eleven.
The concert was perfect. We’d stayed at the back of the room, but Vincent had lifted me onto his shoulders so I could see better. Somehow, being farther from the stage only made the atmosphere more magical.
“I still can’t believe we crashed through the staff door,” he says, shaking his head.
I giggle, stealing a handful of popcorn. “Told you we’d get in one way or another.”
Vincent smiles, tilting his head toward the sky. “You’re right. You’re always right. You’re so determined, so full of life... and you don’t even realize it.”
Suddenly he stops, turning to face me. “Nova, I—”
I stop too. A thousand questions are on my tongue, but under the weight of his gaze, nothing comes out of my mouth. My legs are trembling. My hands are trembling. My heart is trembling.
“You...?” I whisper.
Vincent opens his mouth, then shuts it again. His Adam’s apple bobs. “I—It was you who gave me the strenght to keep fighting. After what happened that day.”
Well, you keep pulling me together since the day we first met, Vincent Cooper. Since the moment you chose to be my friend, to see right through me and my fake smile.
I step closer to him and I cup his cheeks. I pull his face down, close to mine and I give him my best smile. A true smile I only save for him. “You did it all yourself, Cooper. You’re the force of nature. You’re the fighter.”
His eyes glimmer. “I—I have something for you.”
I arch a brow. “For me?”
He nods and steps back slightly, digging into his jeans pocket. When he pulls out a tiny pink box with a bow, I see the old, shy Vincent in his expression again—the one who’s always been there, who I know will never leave.
“It’s for you,” he says softly. “I—I made it. For you.”
