Page 29 - The Bridge Vol 17_pgs

VOLume 17

breathing, living, laughing, just letting everything “You remember what I told you the other day?”
collapse around me. When I met her, I realized she whispers with cracked lips, worn from her
that some things aren’t worth giving up on. Her vicious biting. I nod my assent. “I think I might be
smile restores my breath while her eyes steal it straight after all,” she murmurs, a hesitant smile,
away again. She hates her teeth, but I love her no teeth. I nod and smile back, my cheeks feeling
genuine smile so much. She ducks her head down strained from the force it takes to keep it there.
in embarrassment, and I tease her again just to see She turns on her back, and I’m frozen on my side,
that smile stretch across her face. forcing myself to remain neutral.
The moment she tells me she might be gay I desperately want to sleep, desperately want to
my heart stutters. I came out to her a long time breathe. In this moment, I’ve never wanted to give
ago, comfortable enough in my sexuality, but not up more. I feel the tease of sunshine lighting up my
comfortable enough with the implications. darkened world, but I will never get to taste it.
She asks to sleepover, and it takes the whole
day to calm my racing heart. This isn’t the first
time we will have an overnight adventure, but the
last time was when she was assuredly straight.
I should’ve known I can’t resist her. With my
shaky hand, I sweep muted pink eyeshadow onto
her trembling eyelids. When I move on to her lips,
my eyes focus on outlining her cupid’s bow. Her
eyes continue to stay closed, eyelashes fluttering
uncertainty against her cheeks. I want to kiss her,
I think I am supposed to kiss her. Her eyes finally
flutter open.
“Almost done there?” she questions a little
breathlessly. I haven’t even started.
Anticipation is drumming a steady beat in
my chest and I swear I hear the same bass in hers.
I lick my lips and watch as her coal-colored eyes “ I came out to her a long time ago,
follow the movement. I think I am supposed to kiss
her. She suddenly shuffles backward on the bed, comfortable enough in my sexuality,
scrambling away from my closeness like a crab. but not comfortable enough with
She takes a makeup wipe from my stash and ”
starts quickly undoing the work I’ve just done. the implications.
She forces out a yawn and a “Can we sleep please?”
Tucked in bed, both of us on our backs. My
eyes refuse to droop, nerves making my body
vibrate. I trace colors on her ceiling. I turn to face
her, and she soon follows. We stare at each other,
wide eyes trying to read each other. She doesn’t
seem tired anymore.

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