Unconventional

Chapter 3: The Kiss

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                                  Year: 2016

          Rays of light seeping through my blinds woke me gently, reminding me again of the urgent need to invest in some blackout curtains. Another work week had begun, but I refused to leave the utopia that was my bedroom. Not for a while at least. After all, I did have bills to pay. My head was rippling because of the warm surface I was resting on, soothing me with the wave-like motions, and I cozied into it a little more. On second thought, I could probably call out today. Beep-Beep-Beep. The stupid alarm from my phone was steadily increasing, reminding me that life outside existed, and grumbling I abandoned my wonderful pillow, reaching to my nightstand to turn it off. Sleep was pretty much gone at this point, so I delved into my phone, checking my usual apps, and reading my daily devotional. When I was all caught up, I happened to glance at the date in the corner of the screen, and gasped. It was April 28th. Which meant that May 2nd was that Friday. I couldn't believe it snuck up on me like this. Emotions started to wash over me, and they were good ones for the most part, but a few were somewhat haunting. Regardless of the feelings attached to the date, the significance of it was all too important. Not just to me, but for the man lying in the bed next to me, AKA, my man, and my pillow, Mr. Aaron Seth Theodore Haines.

     There was nothing but love in my eyes as I gazed at his sleeping form. A day didn't go by that I wasn't thankful that I was able to witness him during his most vulnerable state, because it was such an endearing sight. His right arm was splayed on his pillow, and the other was awkwardly spread out in a weird angle, like he was reaching for something. More than likely my body that would normally be under said arm, and where I wished I still was. His chest was bare, as was the rest of him, but unfortunately it was shielded by my thick comforter. Then there was my favorite part, his handsome face. Pink lips were slightly ajar, releasing the muted snores, along with his strong nose, and his eyes that were normally protected by his glasses, were pleasantly exposed, revealing long eyelashes reminiscent of a butterfly. One could travel the world, and still couldn't find a more pleasing sight. The smile on my face always seemed to be a permanent fixture whenever he was near, but I refused to complain. It was a welcoming change to my life. My finger circled my index on the opposing hand thoughtfully, as I stared at him continuously. May 2nd. The day everything changed, and the reason why the two of us were here together. Strangely enough, it didn't seem like it was that long ago, and the setting was eerily similar...

         
           This was a mistake. A stupid, rushed, and potentially devastating mistake. Why did I let Harley convince me that this was the right thing to do? I sighed in annoyance. Who was I kidding? Harley only said what had already been on my mind for months, so I couldn't fault him. My eyes looked over the closed door in dread, knowing what was inside, and reminding me of why it took me so long to make the climb up Ashley-Marie's stairs, just to be completely frozen in front of her bedroom. The nervous pounding of my heart was similar to the tick-tock sound of a clock, serving as a reminder that the precious time allotted to me to complete this task, was depleting second by second. It was now or never. The others would be back soon, and the window of opportunity would be gone. With that in mind, I finally reached out for the doorknob, hand trembling severely by my nerves, twisting and opening the door. The muted sound of her TV in the corner of the room greeted me, along with a pallet of blankets on the floor, presumably being used by Shaniqua as a makeshift bed. On the actual bed, however, Ashley-Marie was nowhere to be found. Instead, curled up almost in a ball, was the source of the coldness running through my veins, and the heat in my cheeks...Aaron.