“Please pinch me,” I requested, trying to steady my breath.
“Why?”she asked, smiling.
“To make sure this isn't a dream,” I mumbled, lowering my head.Emily grabbed my arm and actually pinched me.
“Come on, let's go.We need to bring you back to reality,” she said, pulling me away from the wall.We started walking toward class, and I completely forgot why I was there.I was ecstatic; nothing else mattered.
The rest of the day felt like I was just going through the motions.Inside, I was battling a conflict between my feelings for Zane and my sense of guilt toward Jessica.Part of me wondered if my guilt could ever overpower my desire or if I was simply trying to comfort myself with the notion that I had tried.
Deep down, I understood that my guilt stood no chance because my craving for Zane was overwhelming and escalating rapidly.I was alreadyhis, yet I had to play along, pretending that I wasn't.
On my way home, I missed my stop and opted to head into town to visit my mom.She had mentioned she'd be working late tonight and would order pizza for me.I hopped off at the stop right in front of Elias’s store, where I spotted him outside, taking a drag from his cigarette.I couldn't resist saying hello.
“You know that smoking will kill you?”I quipped playfully as I approached.
“Just like accidents, diseases, and a million other things,” he replied, grinning.
“Hey there.”
“Hey!Come here,” he said, spreading his arms wide for a hug.“How's it going, little scholar?”he continued.
“Little?I'm not little anymore!”I feigned offense, nudging him with my shoulder to see how we measured up.
“I can see that,” he said, giving me a once-over that made me blush.
“When are you going to quit smoking?”I asked.
“When are you going to marry me?”he shot back teasingly.
“Never!”I laughed, my jaw dropping in mock shock.
“Well, there's your answer,” he said, taking another puff of his cigarette.I playfully nudged him again, and we both chuckled.“What are you doing here?Need anything?”he inquired.
“Nope, just wanted to say hi.I'm heading to the studio to see my mom,” I explained, pointing toward the glass doors visible from his store.
“Oh, gotcha.How's everything going?”Elias asked, his tone shifting to something more serious, likely referencing my dad.
“It's… alright, I think.I mean, I'm sure it will be,” I replied, uncertain of how to express my feelings.
“Yeah, I'm sure it will.Just remember, if you need someone to talk to or to marry, I'm here,” he said with mock seriousness that made us both laugh.
“Okay, I'll keep that in mind,” I replied as I waved goodbye, setting off toward the studio.Elias was always so sweet, and his words had a way of lifting my spirits; I never left his store without a smile.
I soon spotted my mom’s car parked outside.I reached for the studio door handle, but it was locked.I pressed the doorbell, and shortly after, Andrea approached with a smile to unlock it.
“Hi!Why's it locked?”I asked, curious.
“Oh, we just lock it sometimes,” Andrea replied but didn't explain further.
“Where's my mom?”I asked, noticing her absence.
“She's in her office,” he said, gesturing toward the door.I stepped closer and knocked before entering.
“Oh, Luna!What are you doing here?”my mom exclaimed, surprised to see me.
“I just wanted to say hi,” I replied with a smile.
“Of course!Have a seat.Give me a couple of minutes; I'm finishing an email and will be right with you,” she said, her eyes darting back to her computer.I nodded and settled into a chair, placing my backpack on the floor beside me.The silence was only broken by the sound of her typing and the occasional sip of her coffee.
