Broken-a series of short stories

Heartbeat

We lay together in the grass, she was cuddling into my side and my hand was on her hip. I was mindlessly dragging my thumb creating an invisible pattern on her hip . I could feel the defined bone beneath my hand, she was awfully skinny and I knew why. She did not eat- often for a number of days- whether she was telling the truth when she said "I just forget to" or if it was intended I would never know. We lay together in silence I could hear her slow breathing and smell her perfume. Her body warming my side her hand resting on my chest. The ink was smudged over her skin just like every time before. It was serene, quiet, wonderful. I was able to have my arm around her, know she was there, lay in silence. I could finally be content, happy with my life. I had her with me, that made all the shit worth it.

My chest rose and fell slowly and with it so did her hand and head. She could hear my heartbeat, a soft never changing rhythm. I know that because she broke the silence muttering "Your heart is beating fast," grinning like she knew a secret. Of course she did know a secret. She knew I loved her long before I knew myself. She saw the signs, she told me how she knew. My heart beat faster, my breathing sped up, my pupils dilated, all the physiological signs as she said. My heartbeat. My heartbeat gave me away. Consistent in rhythm against her ear.

I took advantage of the times like that, the soft beautiful moments. I thought it would never end. I don't remember much of what I did that day, what happened in class, who I had lunch with, but I remember that moment. With her in my arms I was in my own little perfect world. Of course all moments have to end. No matter how hard we cling to them time never stops going.

She had to go and I lost the warmth of her body against mine. I was pulled harshly back to reality where nothing is perfect and time continues on. I did not know what I had until it was stolen away, taken with the winds of time.