AllFreeNovel
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She’s quiet, and I get it. This, what we have going on, we don’t understand it. But it’s important, and the thought of it ending is like a punch to the stomach.
“I wanted you to have something that reminded you of me…and something to keep you safe,” I admit, clearing my throat. “I, uh, haven’t always been able to keep people safe—people who are important.”
We sit there, on the darkened beach, close enough that our knees and arms brush every now and then. “Mal?” she asks finally.
“Yeah?”
“Don’t forget to keep yourself safe, too.”
I look over at her, noting the serious set of her face, the concern in her eyes. Because I can’t stand it, I nod, and then I reach behind her and tug the hood of my sweatshirt over her head.
“Now, about that wetsuit.”
“Keep dreaming, pretty boy. The water was made to be felt, cold or not.”
I argue, more comfortable with our banter than all of the serious turns my thoughts have been taking, but when I leave her at her doorstep later on, I know exactly what she means. Because Nala was the first person to make me feel anything other than useless, and it’s a feeling I’ll never, ever forget.
