Page 55 of Rise Above

your first?”

“This one.” She pulled the collar down to show the

words, ‘We are so much more’ written on her shoulder. “Read it in a book, and it just stuck.”

“It’s so delicate.” I trailed my pointer over the

cursive letters. “And which one is your favorite?”

Aife contemplated my question for a while. She

rolled the right sleeve up but covered her wrist with her hand as she showed me a grey-scale Deathbat nestled amongst a field of purple and blue flowers. I hadn’t had a chance to examine it in the café.

124

Rise Above

“It’s going to sound cliché, but Avenged Sevenfold

saved my life.” She quickly rolled her sleeve back down before I got too close of a look.

“Story for another time?” I tugged her to me and

pulled the blankets higher on her body. I was trying to respect her boundaries despite wanting to know literally everything about her. She intrigued me in ways I couldn’t explain, which probably led to her being in my room instead of the guest room.

“This is one story I’m okay with sharing right off

the bat,” Aife said and snuggled into my side further. “I was such a tomboy growing up. So many people thought I was actually a man, and I had a lot of people call me awful names. It was relentless. At one point, it got so bad, they pulled me into the guidance counselor’s office for a week straight.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I was maybe fourteen when I found Avenged. Their music connected with how I felt inside, and they pulled me out of that. Most of the words tatted on me come from their songs.”

“Aife.” My throat felt thick, like a lump was stuck

in it. What words could I provide her? I had no idea what to say to her confession. I’d been bullied too for my name, but it stopped once I grew. I wanted to wipe her tears away, instead I just pulled her closer.

“It’s in the past, Talon.”

I pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “You have

such a good attitude about everything.”

“Thanks. Comes from years and years of therapy.”

She sniffed. “If I let the past get to me, I would be

125

Rise Above

wallowing in self-pity for the rest of my life.” She cuddled harder into my side.

I furrowed my brow as I turned the lights off.

Originally, my plan was for us to sleep in separate rooms, but I loved to talk to her too much to follow through. “Rough life, darling?” I drew a hand through my hair and wrapped more blankets around her.

“Parts of it, sure. I think everyone has rough

aspects. As an example, you lost your dad.”

“Aife, don’t make this about me.” She kept doing