Page 66 of Solanum

She nodded while adjusting the hemline of her skirt across her knees. "I wouldn't have anything if it weren't for Maya. Different situations, but similar sentiments."

"For sure. What do you think you would've been like without her?"

Nora shrugged, her eyes averted as she slowly tumbled away from me as time ticked on. "An addict like my parents, turning tricks for dope. I liked sex enough, even really young, to turn that into my survival trade."

"Maybe. But I'm glad you're not any of that," I said, looking at her until she met my gaze again. "What's eating you up? Your whole face is sad right now. Is it because Maya was supposed to stay?"

"No. I expect her to come and go."

"Then what is it?"

"It's getting late." She glanced to the clock on the wall in the kitchen. "And you'll say that you have to go soon."

"It is…" I drew in a slow breath. "And I should."

She nodded, though a small smile curved her lips as if finding amusement in the words she hadn't spoken yet, until I noticed the mordant upturn of one side of her mouth. "I hate it when you go…"

"I know. I'm not a fan of going myself." I sat up, dropping my feet and setting the empty bottle on the table. "But I should."

"Yeah."

I stood up then, gathering some of our trash from the table and toting it into the kitchen. Nora followed my lead and did the same. We said nothing, only moving in, awkwardly quiet, steps around each other until I made for the door.

Nora grabbed my wrist, stopping me before I could take even two steps. She stood there, frozen, her eyes downcast as before, with her breath heaving enough to lift her shoulders. My heart immediately pounded in my chest when I saw her, but this time I didn't hesitate to swing back around and grab her in a hug. She immediately melted into me, her head on my shoulder when she returned my embrace. I hadn't touched her all night, cautious of our proximity to begin with, but in the presence of Maya, it created a natural barrier.

"We can't," I whispered, my lips close to her ear. "Nor, we can't."

"I don't care," she said, choking on a sob in between. "I don't care."

"Yes, you do." I leaned her back, cupping her face in my palms. "We both care and we both know we can't. We have a whole year until your next birthday." I smirked when I said it, and she chuckled.

"I don't want to wait." She shook her head. "I can't."

"You can." I tucked her hair behind her ears as I simultaneously broke her heart and mine. "We have to—"

"Then can you just stay?" She grabbed hold of the front of my shirt then, gripping it in her fists. "We-we won't do anything. Just stay. Just…sleep over or something stupid like that. Nothing else."

I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead while cupping her face in my palms. "Are you going to be fine with that?"

"Yes." She nodded vehemently, closing her eyes as her hand slid down to grip my belt. "I can be. I will be."

"In the morning… I'll leave before you wake up. That's the deal." I drew in a heavy breath as I fought to control my own emotions. "Or no deal."

She nodded, leaning in to hug me again. "This is too much. It's so much."

"It is." I squeezed her to me, pressing my lips to her shoulder. "I really should go…"

"I know."

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