Page 79 of Haunt Me

Her dots begin to move and I’m immediately on my feet. The dots stop. I’m about to lose what’s left of my mind.

What’s wrong? Talk to me.

Eden.

Finally, she tells me. It turns out that while I have been away, she has been torturing herself with ridiculous fears. Apparently, she thinks I am going to meet a literal army of girls and fall for each and every one of them.

I fumble with my phone in my haste to reply to her:

Ok, let me make myself clear. There is no other girl. It’s you. It’s only you. I haven’t looked at another girl or felt the need to since I met you. Literally since that day. You’re my person, Eden.

Don’t you think we are too young and…

What

Well, too stupid, in your case at least…My lips stretch in the hugest smile.To make such declarations?

Well, maybe I should be clearer then. I am absolutely sure about you.

I’m not.

You mean you don’t believe me?

Not a word.

Fine, be that way.I smile as I’m typing.I’m getting on a plane right now, and I’m meeting you in our woods. And I am going to kiss you until you wilt and faint on me.I close my eyes and, for a second, I am back in the coolness of the forest.

She doesn’t reply.

Was it like in your books, every time I kissed you, Eden?I ask her.Was it like the kisses you read about?

I’ve never read anything that even slightly resembles my situation in my books,she texts back. Including your kisses.

I blush to the roots of my hair.

James’ harem of girls look like they are about to abandon him and run over and attack me. I can only guess what the look on my face is, how turned on I must look.

“Dude,” James says, shaking his head and laughing.

I run up to our room and have seven cold showers, one after the other.

They don’t help at all.

Eden’s Poetry

WHAT IF

Watch what happens when you are safe.

What kind of person do you become then?

Do you get lazy? Content? Silent?

Do you put less effort into life?

Does safety turn you into a coward?

What if I had grown up with a dad?

---