Page 4 of Breath By Breath

“I don’t know that I’m emotionally there. My life has been—hard.” Her confession is whispered, and a little haunted.

I want to demand that she tell me everything, but I slow my roll. I’m coming on strong and can hear my dad’s voice in my head telling me to give her some breathing room. I don’t want to give her room. I want everyone in this damn school to know she’s mine.

I take a slow, deep breath and pull her into my arms. Instead of demanding to know what’s been hard in her life, I give her the solace of my embrace instead. I let her feel through my touch that I’m going to be her safe place to land. That’s what my mom and Grams say about Dad and Gramps, and I plan to be that for Lena.

“You take all the time you need. I’ll be right here.” Unable to help myself, I place a kiss on the top of her head before releasing her. “Come on.” I step back and take her hand in mine. She stands still, staring at our joined hands, as if she can’t believe she’s let me touch her. “Let me show you the cafeteria. We have the same lunch period, so I can introduce you to my friends then.” I start to walk away, but she doesn’t move. I stop and turn to look at her, and she pulls her hand from mine, taking a couple of steps back. I know I’m coming on strong, but I can’t help it.

“I don’t know why you’re being so nice to me. This isn’t at all what I expected on my first day. The hottest guy in school doesn’t usually want anything to do with me. I’m plain Jane. Nothing remarkable about me. So, please, Stanley Riggins, if this is some kind of ‘new girl’ joke, please, I beg you to walk away.” Tears well in her eyes, and my heart squeezes painfully inside my chest. “I’ve had enough heartbreak for a lifetime.” Her voice cracks, and so does my heart.

I turn back around and take the two steps to stand toe-to-toe with her. Placing my index finger beneath her chin, I lift so our gazes connect. Beautiful bright blue orbs full of pain, and if I’m not mistaken, hope, peer back at me.

My heart is racing because I hate the thought of her in pain. Lifting her hand, which isn’t securely enclosed in mine, I place it flat on my chest. Her eyes widen a fraction and I know she can feel how fast my heart is beating.

“This is not a joke or a game. I’m not that guy, Lena. I will never be that guy. I want to get to know you. I want you to give me all of your time and attention, and in turn, I’ll give you all of me. I want to know that you’ll give me a fair shot at being yours.”

“You want to be mine?” She says it like it’s the craziest thing she’s ever heard, and maybe it is, but it doesn’t make it less true.

“Only yours.” I stare deep into her eyes, willing her to trust me.

She’s quiet, studying me. I stand still, holding her hand in mine while pressing the other against my chest, and give her all the time she needs. The bell is going to ring soon, and I’m going to have to take us to our next class. I hope she finds whatever she’s looking for before that happens.

“We need to slow this train down a little.”

“I’ll take this as slow as you want. Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s just me. You give me that chance to let you see I mean what I say. Think of us as exclusively seeing where things go.” I wink, trying to lighten the mood.

She laughs. “Okay. Just—give me some time.”

“Time.” I nod. I feel as if a ton of bricks have been lifted off my shoulders. She’s mine, or she will be. “I can give you a lifetime.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. She shakes her head, amused, but I mean it. I feel the spark that ignites between us. The air is charged. She’s it.

She’s my magic.

The bell rings, and without another word, I lead her to our next class. I pull us to the back of the room and sit in the chair next to hers. All of my buddies come over to say hi, and I introduce them. I’m aware of the looks I’m getting from my fellow classmates and teachers, but I don’t care.

All day, she’s right next to me. When I have to drop her off at her last class, I’m tempted to go to the office and ask to switch to home economics. Lena just laughs at my suggestion and pushes me down the hall as she enters the room without me. By the time the bell rings, I’m full of nervous energy. I jump out of my seat, rush two doors down, and wait for her.

“Hey.” I’m going for casual, but we both know I had to work to get through the throng of students to be here this fast.

“Stanley.”

“Lena.”

She grins, and it lights up her face. “I guess you’re going to walk me to my car?”

“What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t?”

“Not my boyfriend,” she tosses back with a lighthearted laugh. She glances over at Gail, the girl she was talking to. She’s a sweet girl. We’ve gone to school together our entire lives. I’m glad she’s being nice to my girl. At least she appears to be. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Gail flashes her a wide smile. “Yep, and you can bet we’re going to talk about this.” She waves her hand between Lena and me.

“Nothing to talk about,” Lena tells her.

“Uh-huh. Take care of my new friend, Stanley Riggins.”

“Always, Liz.”

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