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“You s His hugs are pretty fucking close to bear-hugs Rough, protective, and full of strength I want to siphon off that last bit of strength froh this

When we break apart, it’s hard not to look around at the guests that keep gawking at me There are so many more people here than just my family So many more people here than the mountains I left

“Hey, Sul,”stay here If you want to leave—”

“I can stay” For Jane, I should stay

He nods slowly, his intense eyes zoning in onworry is like the waves of an ocean, crashing againstday Are you alright?”

Pressure coush to the How I’ up And I’ to hurt Akara or Banks How I free-soloed one measly rock face the whole trip and it feels like it wasn’t enough

I want to tell the in love with

But I can’t say any of it It feels too raw Like if I touch it, the words will explode in my heart and shatter me apart

In the end, I just nod to htning Bolt! energy drinks and adrenaline, so just waiting for the crash”

My parents share a look I can’t decipher Have I been gone so long that I can’t even read their looks any so much that this is a new look I’ve never seen before?

I can’t think too long

My mom flicks my nose playfully “I have a theory” We share a smile

Her theories are my favorite

And very softly, she tells me, “When you crash someplace where you feel safe, you’ll wake up happy in the ”

I take a big breath “I think I agree with that one” I wipe a sood to wake up in e”

Everyone is supposed to be staying overnight at some five-star hotel near the venue A car service is even shuttling guests to the hotel in case they’re too hammered to drive

My dad tells an coffee cake at one of the tables It’s not like the real fucking thing, so just beware”