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I’m curious, even if I’m trying my best not to appear so.
This could be it.
“Are you sure?” I need to hear him say it.
Something strange happens to his cheeks but then they smooth out. The intensity of his scowl would make anyone else feel inferior, but I’m only dumbfounded.
“I think I’ll find a way to manage.”
The way he says this, it’s like that first breath of life to a newborn. That first wisp of newfound freedom everlasting.
That’s what this all represents. I understand this now.
Fire rises, licking the walls of my stomach. “I’d been wrong before. The key hadn’t worked…”
“You’re overthinking again,” he scorns. “Try.” His voice going smooth as honey.
I curve an unimpressed eyebrow at his comment. The calmness of his posture is the complete opposite of… every part of me.
With trembling fingers, I unclasp the chain from around my neck. Eager but reluctant. Interested but timid.
A batch of sunlight washes over the room then, rewarming my already flushed skin. Sparkling, the walls of my glass kingdom shine and it’s all the answer I need.
“Open it, Princess,” he encourages, more excited than he should be.
I shove the key in, and the same thing as before happens. Greedily it goes inside but I don’t turn it. Not yet.
I glance over at him one last time, on an exhale.
This is it.
His eyes are like orbs of wonder. Both of us now watch as my hand rotates. My breath catches, the same way the lock had right before it clicked.
It clicked?
I want to find his stare again, but I can’t lift my head to do it. My focus is trapped on where the box stays waiting between us.
I never thought I belonged to this world, but like this lid it too has opened up for me.
Now all that’s left is to reach inside and take what’s mine, and so I do.
Epilogue
Three Years Later
Thesunonceagainpeeks out, pushing past the wall of clouds rising, shoving past the curtains.
It shines with the same intensity as it has been for weeks now. The lead-up to another glorious summer. Final exams and late-night cram sessions are forgotten about until next year.
Yet, with every new morning, even as the heat rises more, I can’t seem to break away. Stealing even a few moments for myself as the world once again resprouts with life.
The comfort from its warmth is a lightened friend from its rival counterpart, the night.
I hear a light tap at my door. The sound reverberates, echoing in the once again emptied room but I don’t bother turning around. I already know who it is.
Normally, Cole doesn’t knock, barging in ruthlessly instead. Somehow today though, he must’ve sensed I needed the extra time to myself.
Maybe he needs it too…
