Page 12 of Warmer, Colder

And I would let it rip me apart at the seams if only for the hope that you would sew me back together.

October 15th, 2014

-Whom should I persuade (now again) to lead you back into my love?-

Time stretches between us, but the treacherous wait can’t discourage me.

I would barter away all of my years for just a second of your affection.

October 18th, 2014

-You came and I was crazy for you.

And you cooled my mind that burned with longing.-

If I blink, I can take myself back to the moment when your body pressed into mine.

There I wait for you to find me with a bleeding heart and a smile on my lips.

October 20th, 2014

-Stand to face me, beloved.

And open out the grace of your eyes.-

Soon, we’ll be together and then you’ll see why I never gave up on you and me.

Chapter 5

Becca

50 Days till Death

The second the lecture slides shut off, I’m cramming my belongings into my messenger bag, but I’m not fast enough to make it out unscathed.

“Where are you off to so fast?” Nate’s hand quietly subdues me as he places it on top of the notebook and papers still on my desk.

“I’m not feeling well,” I blurt out the first excuse I can think of as I watch the last of the class exit. What if I scream right now? What if I tell everyone who he really is? What he’s capable of. The fleeting thoughts cross my mind for the hundredth time, but my lips remain closed.

“You look…fine.” He assesses with boredom. “You wouldn’t be avoiding me would you?”

“Would it matter if I tried?” I counter and lean forward in an attempt to cover the corner of the letter sticking out from beneath everything else.

“No.” His eyes snag on the floral paper that’s easy to spot amongst the otherwise bland items. “What’s this? Were you writing me a love letter?” His lip furls around the mockery.

“It’s nothing.” I reach for it, but he swats my hand away with a warning look. Quickly, his eyes scan the lines of poetry, the ones I can’t get out of my head, and dismisses it just as I expected.

“Aren’t we a little old for all that?” He flings it over his shoulder, and I rush after the floating note with a huff.

“It’s for a project, asshole,” I lie easily. The truth doesn’t belong with him. He’ll never have anything honest out of me.

“Such a fucking nerd.” Nate rolls his eyes as his fingers move across the tiny keyboard of his phone. “I’ll see you next Friday, right?” he asks without looking up.

“What’s next Friday?” My gut tightens with the apprehension of whatever terror he’s going to reign down on me.

“Halloween. The party?”

“I’m not much in a party mood, Nate.” I start packing my bag again to avoid the temper in his gaze. Unfortunately for me, my mouth has outweighed the act of submission.

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