Room On Fire

Room On Fire Chapter 11

Eden

   I drifted in and out of sleep, lying in the crisp motel bed. Happy memories continuously swept through me, captivating my every sense. My eyelids were too heavy to keep open, so I kept them shut.

   “You know, Eden is a really beautiful name. Kind of like an angel” He said, the light of the sun reflecting off of his bright irises, “Don’t you think?”

   I shook my head, and tucked a strand of ash-white hair behind my ear. “It’s silly.” I muttered. Christofer laughed and ran a finger down the hood of his fathers red truck.

   “Its Hebrew” He said quietly, letting his soft fingers brush against mine. “Eden means delight.” He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth, making a soft whistling sound. “You’re very delightful to be with, so the name suits you well.”

   The heat crept over my cheeks, staining them a bright pink. “No I’m not. I’m awkward and weird…We should go.” I mumbled, slipping off the hood of the car. My torn up black Converse hit the dirt with a thud. He didn’t budge.

   “Christofer” I whispered, “I need to be home before dinner.” I bit my lip, resting my hand on the drivers side door handle. “Please”

   He still didn’t move. “It’s too lovely to leave now, darling.” His voice was sweet and sultry, and the way he rolled his R’s made my head spin. “Please come back.” So I did.

   He pulled me closer to him and I rested my head on his shoulder. The clingy cotton of his white tee shirt was soft against my cheek. He smelled like strong black coffee and peonies, like his mother’s perfume. I enjoyed being close to him like this. It felt comfortable and I just felt safe and completely at peace with everything. Like everything was right in the world.

   “Would you ever marry me?” he asked, tugging his fingers through my messy hair. It was still curly from after my shower, and I didn’t bother brushing it out. I thought for a moment and then planted a light kiss on his shoulder.

   “I would” I murmured, burying my face in his shirt once more and closing my eyes. He let out a relived sigh that vibrated through his entire body. His breath tickled my lips and my eyelids, both of which he kissed. “One day”

   “Why not today?” He asked. I exhaled and squeezed his arm.

   “I’m too young to think about getting married Christofer.” I said.

   “That’s a bad reason. Age is just a number. We can be married in our own heads, okay? Never leaving each other and never finding anyone else.” He kissed me again.

   “You can only get married if you love someone.” I whispered, “It’s what my dad told me.”

   “What if I do love you, and what if I tell you so? Then will you marry me?” He asked, pulling my chin up so he could watch my expression. My eyes were still closed, but I smiled anyways because I knew he was pursing his lips. The look he got when he expected an answer always excited me.

   “I’d think about it.” I finally said.

   “You should already know.” Christofer sighed and let my face drop, lightly landing back on his chest. “You should know if you love someone right away.”

   I sat up and glared at him. “Well it takes time for some people. Damn Christofer!” I scooted over so I wasn’t touching him. I started finger combing my hair although I knew it wasn’t helping anything. “Be patient!”