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He smiles.
And the relief I feel at hearing him call me that, at feeling his lips brush against mine immediately after…
I’m not scared anymore.
Of anything.
FORTY-FOUR
DAISY
We skippedschool for the rest of the day, something I’ve never done in my life, and I can’t believe I don’t feel even a twinge of guilt over it. It’s impossible to worry for too long when I’ve got Arch distracting me.
Dragging me in and out of all of the cute shops downtown, trying to get me to pick something out so he can buy it for me. I don’t want anything. I’m perfectly content just spending time with my boyfriend.
Hmm. That’s going to take some getting used to.
“I like this necklace.” We’re in one of the stores that sells a variety of knickknacks including jewelry, and he’s standing over a glass display case, pointing.
I stop beside him, laughing when I see the charm on the necklace—a tiny letter A. “You would like it. That’s your initial.”
“You could wear my initial.” He glances down at me, smiling. “Then everyone would know you’re my girlfriend and that you belong to me.”
Thank God I’m gripping the edge of the counter. Otherwise, I’d swoon and faint, falling to the floor in a heap at the sweet look on his face and the words he just said.
“Does it matter if people know I’m yours or not?” I ask, my voice soft.
“Yeah, it does to me.” His tone is fierce, the look in his eyes possessive. “I want the whole world to know, Daze.”
He leans in and kisses me, his lips so soft and tender, I almost want to cry. It’s like he’s able to reach inside of me, grab hold of my heart and squeeze until I can’t take it anymore.
Eventually I convince him to leave the store without the necklace because I need nothing from him. Just his time.
That’s what means the most to me. We only have so much time on this earth and we have to make the most of it. Just basking in Arch’s presence calms me. Makes me feel special. Makes me feel…
Loved.
Eventually we end up going to the beach, not too far from campus, and we take a walk, the wind whipping against us, making it a struggle. We give up pretty quickly and end up back in his car in the parking lot. There’s no one else around since it’s in the middle of a weekday.
“The clouds are so dark,” I observe as I peer out the windshield, noting the storm heading toward us in the distance. “And that wind is fierce.”
It howls outside as if in answer, making Arch’s car rock.
“Gonna rain again.” He reaches for me, tugging, like he wants me closer but I don’t really budge. “How’s your face?”
The numbness has worn off mostly. “It hurts a little.”
“They prescribe you any painkillers?”
I shake my head. “No and I really wouldn’t take them if they did.”
There’s a glow in his eyes that leaves me fluttery inside. “Always such a good girl.”
“Drugs and alcohol aren’t my thing.” I wrinkle my nose.
“Funny because I’m pretty sure I’m addicted to you,” he says with utmost sincerity.
I burst out laughing. “That was so corny.”
