Page 55 of Grown

Slowly, he bends, lays one long kiss on my lips. Even as it happens, I can’t believe it’s real.

Rockets scream around us, but nothing could match the burst of my heart.

As the park closes, we walk into a gift shop. Still on a high, I float over to the Little Mermaid section, picking toy action figures of Ariel and her father. I think of Daddy and smile.

Korey picks up a large stuffed Flounder.

“Yeah, this is perfect,” he mumbles, and takes it to the register.

“Did you have fun today?”

“Mmhmm,” I nod with a yawn, hugging Flounder tight to my chest. “It was the best. Thank you!”

Korey follows me into my room, and I set Flounder on the desk. A reminder of this perfect day.

“Well, good night,” I sigh. “See you—”

Korey is taking off his hoodie, chain, watch, and rings. He looks at me like I’m something to eat. The air changes and I back away.

“Korey?”

He kisses me hard, hands everywhere. I can’t catch up. I push away but he grabs my chin, nails digging, and pulls my lips to his.

My body freezes as he lays me on the bed.

“You’re so beautiful, you know that?” he whispers. “I’m sorry I yelled at you, baby. I just can’t stand the thought of someone stealing what’s mine. You’re all I have.”

His words thaw me a little.

“You have me,” I say. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He kisses my neck, more and more, his body heavy on top of mine. My shirt is gone. So is his. I’m being dragged underwater and can’t breathe. The sound of his zipper rips the room apart. That’s when he grabs my wrist, leading it down his stomach.

“Wait,” I mutter, yanking my hand away. He sits up, hurt in his eyes.

“What? What is it?”

“I... um? I just...”

He sighs, shaking his head.

“I thought you cared about me.”

I shoot up. “I do care about you! I really do!”

“Then I need you to make me feel good,” he says, pushing my hand toward his crotch again. “Don’t you want me to be happy? After the way you hurt me last night?”

That panic returns. I’m back in the hotel room with Creighton. Trapped. Alone. Scared. But... Korey saved me then. So why don’t I feel safe now? His words replay on a loop, he said he’d wait. He said,When you’re ready, I’ll be ready.

“Korey, do you love me?”

Korey smiles. “Of course I do, Bright Eyes. Why else would I do all this? Only for you.”

I nod, the answer not as satisfying as I’d hoped. Thought my heart would burst and flood the earth with our love; instead it races loud in my ears. My muscles tense, bracing themselves.

“Shhhh... relax,” he whispers.

Then, I give in, and let him lead my hand down his pants, into his boxers. Something slimy flops in my palm.