Our Flame

xlix

EZRA

"Is that your last class?" I lean over Nadia's shoulder. Nadia and I were supposed to leave hours ago just like everyone else but things changed.

She smiles and stands, "All done." She pecks my lips. "I'm officially a graduate." I smile at how happy she looks. "We can celebrate in Greece."

Nadia wraps her hands around my neck kissing me. I pick her up, continuing to move my lips against hers. "We'll never leave if this continues." I pull away.

"You're right." She gets down from my arms. "I'll leave you to it." Nadia pats my chest. I shake my head as she exits the room. 

I move to start putting clothes into boxes until a picture grabs my attention. Me and Nadia, her head resting on my shoulder. Im not sure that Nadia even knows that the picture was taken.

I can thank Iris for that, in the weirdest way I'm grateful that I took- protected Nadia for these past three months. I got to know her, I got to kiss her, I got to be with her and despite the danger it was so worth it.

I never want to know anyone like I do her. What does that mean for me? I have no idea. "How am I always ready first?" Her voice fills the room again.

I turn around, looking at her she's wearing my sweatpants with a cropped tank top, tattoos on full display. Her hair is down, resting below her shoulders.

"Are you alright?" She questions. I nod, "I'll come back for everything else, let's go." I grab her hand. Nadia nods.

The attachment I feel to this bedroom is crazy but if it wasn't for this bedroom, I wouldn't have had all those talks with Nadia.

As if she was able to read my mind, "I'm going to miss this place, as weird as that sounds." She says. "Me too." I kiss her cheek.

**

"Last time we were on a plane, I told you I hated you." Nadia speaks. "Multiple times." I correct. "You got over it." She chuckles.

"My feelings are still a little hurt." I tell her. She rolls her eyes, "Do you think your brothers will be upset about us?" I wonder.

I only ask because I'm not interested in the idea of fighting one of Nadia's brothers just to prove how serious I am about her.

Nadia sighs, "At first but then I think they'll be okay with it." She admits. "They just want me to be happy." She shrugs.

"Thank you." Nadia says after a moment. "For what?" I wonder. "For not being a shitty person and not seeing me as an addict.." She explains, whispering the last part.

"Even after everything I've told you, you never treated me any differently." She finishes. "Because I know who you are, Nadia. We've all done questionable things."

I kiss her lips, "I won't judge you for the choices you made while trying to survive." It's simple. Nadia felt like she had to work for her father, I get it. Her addiction? She was alone and had no one to turn to.

More than anything, I hope she never feels that way again. "You're so good to me." She looks into my eyes. "I'll continue to be." I speak.