I feel like I could die happy right now.
“I'm really sorry for what I said…I didn't mean it…not even for a second.” I lean forward, staring into her eyes and she sighs.
Sometimes, I feel as though I could get lost in those beautiful eyes of hers or maybe I already have. I feel like I'm trapped, tied to her soul and unable to escape. Maybe I just don't want to escape. That's why I push her away and then I apologize, I act like I'm insane because sometimes the guilt is suffocating me.
She could never be my experiment, she is everything. I hate that I hurt her with my words and I hate that it's affecting me, when a few months ago, I would have revelled in it.
“I probably shouldn't, but I believe you,” she murmurs softly. She's extending another courtesy to me, after everything.
Maybe God really is on my side today.
“Is Adam coming home soon?” Please, say no.
“No, he's staying at Olivia's tonight,” she replies, her eyes slowly blinking open and shut.
“Can I stay?”
“Juliette—”
“Please.” The words come out in a soft plea.
“Fine,” she mumbles, clearly too exhausted to argue.
I celebrate inwardly and smile. My gaze suddenly goes towards the skeleton, which is standing next to her wardrobe, behind her and I get startled. She looks at me confused.
“Seriously, what is the deal with that skeleton?” I gesture to it.
She turns around and then back to me with a light chuckle. “Jimmy? Aryan gifted him to me a few years ago. It started off as a joke about how obsessed I am with biology, but I've grown to like him.” She smiles fondly and I want to slap her for being so endearing and adorable.
“Was it a birthday gift?” I ask curiously, inching forward. Maybe I shouldn't have asked that because that fond smile is wiped from her face.
“No. I don't celebrate my birthday.” Her words are resolute and for some reason, it makes me not want to push any further, so I don't.
Before I know it, her eyes blink closed and she enters a deep slumber. Sometimes, I think I want to reach inside of her and envelop her skin, know everything about her.
I stay awake for another twenty minutes watching her sleep and listening to the peaceful sound of her breathing.
***
I expect to be woken up by the feeling of being intertwined with Adaline's limbs. Instead, I find myself being awoken by the sound of rustling and when my eyes blink open, I see Adaline pacing around her room—which is a mess.
“Are you okay?” I ask croakily, rubbing my eyes. Best sleep of my life.
“Just looking for something,” she mumbles and I can tell she doesn't want to be disturbed. She's probably been awake for a while, considering she's adorned with a pair of grey shorts and oversized black graphic tee.
Thankfully, I'm dressed in one of her white t shirts too because I got up in the middle of the night and rummaged through her wardrobe.
Her clothes smell just like her and I love it.
I rub the sleep out of my eyes and yawn before I look at my phone and it's around nine in the morning. I inwardly cheer knowing that it's Saturday and I don't have to rush to school…or leave Adaline.
I avoid eye contact with her, not wanting her to focus on how messy I look in the morning. Instead, I make my way to the lobby where her bathroom is. As soon as I enter, I lock the door and look through her cabinets for a spare toothbrush.
I begin cleaning myself up—both teeth and face—so I look presentable when I leave the bathroom. My mind reminisces on the amazing night we had together and I wonder if she would want to have breakfast with me.
As soon as I'm done washing up, I leave her bathroom and when I enter her room again, she's still rummaging through her stuff. She looks even more stressed than she did before.
She turns to me. “You need to go.”
