secrets

sixteen

-SIMON-
______

Our naked bodies are together and tangled in Adele's bright white sheets. Her smooth bare back and left shoulder are visible, her bruises now faded to almost being gone. My mother was right, a kiss really does fix everything.

I trace random shapes and patterns on her soft skin, marveling at the beauty of her porcelain face and the way her silky hair falls freely. She looks so calm and tranquil when she sleeps, as if her worries and fears have escaped her beautiful mind.

Lost in my thoughts, I remember what Laura had said to me several days ago. "Do little things for her."

If Adele can give me the precious and irreplaceable gift of being able to call her my girlfriend, the least I can do for her is little things.

Cautiously, I disentangle myself from the sheets and quickly get dressed. Then I quietly descend her stairs and contemplate what little thing I could do for her.

Since it's Saturday morning, a good start would be to make her breakfast. Knowing she's an avid cook, I find a recipe for cinnamon rolls and get them started.

By the time they're in the oven, which takes a little while longer than normal considering I have no idea where she keeps her ingredients, it's only 10am and she's still sleeping.

Another thing I've come to know about her is the fact that she's an obsessive cleaner. If it's not perfectly spotless, it's not clean.

Since the incident with Alex, she hasn't been feeling up to doing anything expect cry or avoid reality. I'm hoping that my promises and our night together will help her feel back to her old self.

I look around at the somewhat disorganized and messy downstairs rooms and decide to clean them.

I start by throwing away the scattered water bottles and tissues, then disinfect every countertop and table. I dust the wooden furniture and sweep and mop the floor. The one chore I really wish I didn't have to do is load the dishwasher, but the job wouldn't be complete without doing it. Unwillingly, I load it then admire my

Realizing I'm now the dirtiest thing in this house, I find a spare bedroom with a shower and retrieve clean clothes.

As the water runs, I think of Clary and how much I do not miss her. I think of how much happier and safer I feel with Adele, and how she makes me feel loved and she goes out of her way to show it.

She's one in a million and I'm beyond lucky to have her. I would move mountains for that woman.

I shut the water off and proceed to get dressed again, then coincidentally start to walk down the stairs just as her bedroom door opens.

Her wet hair is thrown into a messy bun, and she's dressed in leggings and a cream colored sweater.

"Good morning my love." She says, kissing me and grabbing my hand.

"Good morning beautiful." I respond, walking down the stairs with her.

She stops as we reach the bottom and looks around, immediately noticing that it's been cleaned. "Did you do all of this, Simon?" She asks, running her hand along the shiny and spotless countertop.

"All for you, darling." I say, placing my arm around her and kissing her forehead.

"I don't even know how to thank you." She says, continuing to look around with a stunned expression.

"Believe me baby, you already have." I turn the oven off and take out the hot cinnamon rolls.

Her jaw drops. "Simon! You didn't."

"It was kind of difficult, but I did." I laugh.

The expression on her face is priceless, and I hope I can make her this happy for the rest of my days on this earth.

She jumps into me and wraps her legs around my waist. I laugh and hold onto her. "I love you." She says.

I could get used to hearing that.

"I love you too." I answer, setting her down and handing her a roll.

We eat together, and I smile when I realize that she's acting like herself again. I missed it. "I want to go out today, you need to get out of the house." I say to her as she takes a sip of water.

Her happy expression disappears and is replaced with worry. "No, no, no. I'm safe at home." She shakes her head, refusing.

I place my hand on her thigh, which causes her to look up into my eyes.

"You're safe with me, Adele. Give me a chance to keep my promise of keeping you safe from everything."

She looks away from my eyes and I take my hand away, hoping that she'll believe and trust me. "I don't know." She states.

I take her hand. "Would you go to a movie?"

She shakes her head again. "I'd have to think about it."

I kiss her neck once and she turns all her attention onto me. "What if I told you..." I tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear, continuing, "That it's a private showing, just for the two of us."

She smiles, slowly looking up into my eyes again and maintaining steady eye contact as she says, "I'm listening."

I lean in closer to her, brushing my lips against hers and saying, "And this time, I plan on doing a lot more with you than just making out."

She grins. "I'm in."