Page 16 (1/2)
8 months earlier
Ella
"You’re not seriously going to clih the dark He’s dressed in a pair of sexy jeans that ood and his black t-shirt fits hionna break your neck"
I rub ive hie"
From behind hilows "Yeah, but you’re a little out of it right now and I don’t think you should be cli up any trees"
"I’ll be fine" I wave hi the sleeves of my leather jacket up He alorries about me I like that he does, but it doesn’t mean I always listen to hi in, and he happens to be sober, I’ drunk, especially because I was supposed to be ona branch, I atteround and I grunt with frustration Micha laughs, shaking his head as he walks around behind irl," he says "It’s not my fault"
"You know your nicknaain "You need to think of a new one"
He sweeps my hair to the side and puts his lips besideYou’re the h"Are you trying to be funny?"
He shakes his head "I’ completely serious But there’s no need to panic I’ rolls around"
I bob ht"
He laughs again and his warh my body I alue into his mouth, but I don’t want to ruin our friendship He’s all I have at the s up the best I can
He spreads his fingers acrossthe situation a little aard "Okay, on the count of three I’ to boost you into the tree Be Careful One Two Three" He lifts s up The bark scratches at the back of s a little and the palms of Micha’s hands cup gle
Once I’m up, he climbs up himself His hands reunite with my waist and he assists h it and onto the floor with his quiet laughter surrounding ret this in the oing to have a headache from hell"
I kneel beside theas he steps back out onto the branch "Hey, Micha" I crook er at him and he rolls his eyes, but tolerates me and returns to the sill I throw my arms around his neck "You’re my hero You know that?" I kiss his cheek His skin is so soft I start to move ahen his head turns toward me and our lips connect briefly When he pulls back, I can’t read hirins and cligier as I shut theDid he kiss ht away and wrestle my arms out of my jacket The house is silent, except for the sound of floater co ain She does that sometimes when she’s distracted The door is locked, so I knock on it
"Mom, are you in there?" I call out
Water swishes from inside and I realize the carpet beneath my feet is sloshy I sober up real quick, and rush toit out, I shove the end into the lock of the bathroom It clicks and I push the door open