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“I haven’t been there before, but I’ll have to go when I’m back in town... maybe you’ll come with me?”
The hope in her voice made my heart soar. Maybe this wasn’t just a one-night thing after all. Maybe there could be a future for us and not just a past. “Of course I’ll go with you,” I said.
She squeezed my hand, and we walked a little farther. “The only thing that was missing from the festival was you,” I said.
She smiled at me, brightening even the darkest parts of the night. “Want to sit here and look at the stars?”
I nodded, despite only wanting to see the stars in her eyes.
She spread the blanket out and lifted it until it fluttered gently to the ground. The gray material was dark against the grass, and her white dress contrasted it all as she lay down. I adjusted my long skirt and lay beside her.
This close to her, I was strangely self-conscious of my chin, my chest, how I looked lying flat. But those worries quickly faded away as she reached for my hand.
We lay together, looking up at the stars dotting the sky.
“My favorite constellation is Orion.” She pointed, and I followed her finger to the three stars of his belt.
“Why is that your favorite?” I asked. To me, picking a favorite star in the sky was like choosing a favorite grain of sand.
“I think I related to the fight, always struggling against myself.”
“And how do you feel now?”
She rolled her head to the side, smiling at me. “Excited.”
“For college?” I asked, trying not to get my hopes up.
But she reached out, brushing her fingers across my cheek. “For this.” She drew closer, pressing her lips against mine. And then she whispered, “And every moment after.”
Twenty-Eight
Kiyana
I may have only sleptsix hours, but I felt more energized than ever. Every time I closed my eyes, I pictured Xi. Saw her dark eyes smiling at me. Felt her lips against mine. Grew excited at the memory of her fingertips trailing over my skin. I had to see her, one more time before I left.
When the sun came creeping through my windows, I got out of bed, took a shower to wash off the makeup and stray pieces of grass from the night before. Then I took my time putting on fresh makeup and doing my hair for my first day on campus. For my hopeful date with Xi.
I didn’t want to wake her up, but I couldn’t wait anymore, so I got out my phone and sent her a message.
Kiyana: Can I take you out for a cupcake at Seaton Bakery? I want to see you before I go.
Within minutes, I had my answer.
Xi: What time?
Kiyana: How about two hours from now?
Xi: I’ll be there. Can’t wait. :)
Still smiling, I put my phone in the pocket of my leggings (because who has time for leggings without pockets anymore) and went out to the kitchen. My dad sat at the counter, sipping from a cup of coffee ,and Mom stood over the stove, stirring a pan of scrambled eggs.
“Morning,” I said. “It smells incredible in here.”
They smiled at me, so much feeling in their expressions.
“Thanks,” Mom said.
“How was the prom?” Dad asked.
