Page 61 of Haunt Me

Talk to me.

An hour passes. I resend it desperately, fully aware of how pathetic I am.

Talk to me.

I’m ok, the reply comes two minutes later, and I jump up in bed.

Are you here?I type.

I’m here, Isaiah.

When will I see you?

I’ll see you tomorrow, as usual, she replies.

Then, again:I can’t stay away from the woods.

From you.

I’m sorry for what I did… I’m sorry.

I sit up to type furiously:You didn’t do anything wrong.

I made you leave. And I wish I hadn’t. I don’t… I don’t want you to be alone after what happened. I don’t want you to be alone, ever.

Don’t worry about me, Isaiah.I’m ok. I have you.

In a second, all the messages disappear, deleted.

She did tell me she might delete our texts in case her dad sees them, but I didn’t expect her to do it immediately.

It doesn’t matter anyway. I remember every word. I see her words in my head, as clearly as if I could scroll back and read our entire conversation again and again.

Don’t worry about me. As if that’s ever going to happen.

I’m ok.Somehow, I don’t think she is ok.

I have you.That much is true. Boy, does she ever have me.

I’ll see you tomorrow, as usual.

And on that, I sleep.

Book Margin

The book: Eden’s copy ofPersuasionbyJane Austen

The scene: Captain Wentworth’s proposal

This is the most beautiful piece of writing I have ever read.

I wish I had someone to share it with.

seventeen

The next day, she is waiting for me. I don’t kiss her ravenously, like I want to. Instead, I sit quietly next to her and recite my lessons while we both freeze our asses off.

We do the same thing the next day.

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