RED

"Think of the time that you had the most energy."

Wind swept across the grass and through my hair. I glanced to my left to see Elaine's ginger hair set behind her on the grass. She had her hands behind her head and her eyes were closed. After a moment her soft lips parted and she said promptly, "Got it."

I stared at her a moment longer and then looked back at the sky. "Now think about the most pain you've ever felt."

She stirred a bit and then took the inside of her lip between her teeth. "M'kay."

"Now," I started, taking a deep breath. I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it. "Think of the hottest temperature that you've ever felt."

Elaine laughed. "We're from Texas, it gets pretty hot here." She nodded, indicating that she found the memory.

I chuckled a bit and continued. "Lastly, mix the feelings for the person you hate the most and the person you love the most together."

She sighed and glanced over at me. My cheeks flushed and she squeezed my hand back.

"This is red," I told her. "This is what red feels like."

There was a light in her eyes that I can't describe. "Red is my favorite color," she breathed softly. She turned her head to me to see my eyes staring back at hers.

"Elaine?" I started quietly.

"Yeah?"

I took in a shaky breath and then whispered, "This is how I feel about you. Loving you so much that it's painful."

We were both silent for a moment and then her eyes went soft. She leaned forward and planted her full, peachy pink lips on mine...