Page 47 of Petals and Fangs

“You've had this place since you were a kid, Ethan. It's always been one of my favorite places to be. Good times,” she says, letting out a big sigh.

It was the one thing we had that no one else did, something no one knew about. Lily and I had our own treehouse.

We used to meet here whenever we wanted to escape from the world. She would bring a blanket, a torch, and a book. Then, we'd lie there, cuddle up together, reading and talking for hours.

“Do you want to climb up and check the view?” I ask and smile as I remember how she used to be scared of climbing up the ladder. I had to hold both of her arms and guide her every step.

“Oh, no. God, no,” she says, her voice getting a bit shaky.

“Are you still scared? This hasn’t changed about you,” I laugh. Lily has always feared heights. I guess that has remained the way it is.

“No. It's not that. I just think it's unsafe.”

“It is not. Come on, Lily. Where is your sense of adventure? You’ve always had that,” I say.

“Yes, but not when it comes to heights.”

“It is but a few meters up, Lily.”

“No, Ethan. Really, I can't. What if the ladder is damaged?” she says, her voice trembling.

“Are you serious? You are here with me and that means you are safe. You don't need to worry.”

I walk to her and wrap my hands around her waist. She looks up at me the same way she used to do when she was in my arms and trusted me. Her eyes tell me that she knows I'm right. I lean down and kiss her. She smells so good, and her lips taste wonderful.

“Please, trust me,” I whisper.

“Okay,” she finally whispers.

I can't help but get flashbacks when Lily and I used to be in high school. Those were my happiest years; right before I turned into this doomed creature. I'm glad she can't see the mess inside of me. It's better if she remembers me as the boy I used to be, the boy who made her smile and kept her safe.

I take her hands and attempt to help her up, but she resists me. She is shaking, and I can't stop laughing.

“Don't laugh. You know I'm scared,” she says and smiles.

“I'm sorry. I just can't help it. You haven't really gotten over your fear of heights, have you?”

“Is it that obvious?” she chuckles and tries to hide her face away from me. I love it when she gets shy and her face flushes red. It makes me want to hold her so close to me.

“It is all over your face. I kind of like it, though. It is adorable.”

I look down and smile at her. I can see the fear in her eyes, and she looks adorable. She doesn't move, not an inch.

“I am a bit scared.”

“I know,” I tell her and quickly pick her up.

She lets out a little squeak and clings to me, her legs wrapping tightly around my waist. I carry her up to the tree house and put her down. She sits there and stares down. She doesn't move, so I sit next to her.

“What's that look on your face for?” I ask her.

“Did you just carry me all the way up here?”

“I suppose I just did,” I shrug.

“That was really sweet. Thank you.”

“You don't need to thank me, Lily,” I say and wrap my arm around her shoulders.

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