Page 39 of Magic or Madness

“Fallon, I have no plans to let you sleep alone, ever again. Attach yourself to me all you want,” I confess, and she spins to wrap her arms around my neck.

“You own better hair products than I do,” she laughs, and I kiss her forehead, letting this perfect moment sweep us both off our feet.

We wash each other’s bodies and tenderly clean our wounds until the water turns cold and we’re forced to get out and dry off. I do everything I can to take care of Fallon, something she confesses is new to her, and it makes me happy to do the small things like making a plate of nachos at midnight, or refilling her water before bed. She knows how much I care for her, and I love being the person who makes her smile, even if it’s because of small gestures.

I can’t help but watch as she’s curled into my chest, snoring lightly, and admittedly, I’m holding onto her for dear life.

If one small miscommunication can lead her astray, there are a million other things that could also send her running, and if she left me, I wouldn’t ever be the same.

All I know for sure is that she means the world to me, and there’s nothing that could force me to break our oath.

Her initials are carved over my heart.

My heart is sliced into her thigh, ensuring that we’ll always be together, no matter what.

FALLON

I slipmy key into the door, trying to stay as quiet as a mouse. It’s well past midnight, and I’m sneaking into my own apartment like a teenager who jumped out the window when her parents fell asleep.

I’m only here for clean clothes, and selfishly avoiding Mick and Rae like the plague.

I’ve slept at Ozzy’s for a week straight and this is my first time coming back to the apartment since the morning he made coffee and breakfast.

My roommates are pissed at me, for good reason, but I don’t feel like facing a firing squad right now. I’ve taken the brunt of their anger through our group chat, and Mick has expressed her concerns loud and clear. Rae, on the other hand, has tried to take a more gentle approach by suggesting I sleep at home a few nights a week and take a break from Ozzy every once in a while.

They don’t understand the connection that Ozzy and I share, we can’t stand to be apart, and I love every second I spend with him. I’ve immersed myself in his world, and I have no intentions of leaving him alone.

My friends care about me and I appreciate that they’re worried, but I am capable of making my own decisions, and right now, I’m choosing to be with the man who makes me feelalive.

In the last week, he’s shown me a different side of life that I never knew I was missing. There’s more to this world than working a mediocre job and gossiping with friends, and it’s fucking exhilarating.

I never thought I’d be the girl riding on the back of a motorcycle, but when Ozzy slipped the helmet on me, and the vibration consumed my body, I was completely addicted.

There’s a band of brothers on the other side of town, living out of an old car dealership, making the best out of what they have, and that’s where I belong.

After I taught them how to gamble they accepted me, letting me tag along on a few scouting missions around town and serving as their tour guide.

I’m building friendships with all of them, gaining trust, and growing my relationship with Ozzy all at once.

Just as I finish shoving the majority of my clothes into two large duffel bags, a light flicks on, and I’ve been caught.

“Seriously, Fallon? You’re sneaking in and out like a child?” Mick says, standing with her hands on her hips.

I roll my eyes and focus on the last few things I came for, not looking for a fight.

“Fallon, you don’t have to avoid us, honey,” Rae chimes in, playing the good cop role.

“Listen, I know you both have your issues with Ozzy, and the fact that I’ve been spending so much time with him, but I’m just here for clothes. I don’t want to keep having the same conversations over and over.”

The girls exchange a look as if they’re silently arguing over who is going to try to talk sense into me, but I’m not interested in hearing whatever it is they’ve planned.

This isn’t an intervention.

“Fal, we haven’t seen you in a week, and you’re standing here covered in what looks like bruises. You don’t think we have a right to be concerned?” Rae says, gesturing to the marks on my neck and chest.

“They’rehickies, Rae. I’m fine, okay? I’m great, even. I’m staying a few more nights with him, and I’ll be back by the weekend. We can spend a few days together and catch up, but for now, I’m leaving,” I say, pushing past them and making my way toward the door.

“I will hunt you down if you’re not here, do you understand Fallon?” Mick yells, and I wave to them both before slipping into the hallway.

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