ASPEN | DAVID MAZOUZ

e i g t h t e e n

ASPEN STEPPED OUT OF THE BOOKSTORE. The warm air was uncommon for a late October night, yet filled the teenager with delight and warmth. In her arms lay ten books stacked neatly on top one another. Next to her, David carried the other nine. They walked mostly in silence to the train; casually making small talk.

The train ride to downtown San Diego was equally silent.

They entered David's hotel and set Aspen's books down on the coffee table.

"My arms feel like they're gonna fall off." groaned Aspen while shaking them out.

"I have some Asprin in the bathroom hold on."

Aspen chuckled and murmured, "Ha, Asprin for Aspen. That's funny." Immediately, she fell onto the single full sized bed and closed her eyes.
David exited the bathroom with a half-full jar of Asprin. He walked over to the bed and carefully tapped Aspen's shoulder. "Here's some medicine for your arms." Aspen sat back up and swallowed the pill while taking a chug of water from David's water bottle.
Aspen laid back down on the bed and engulfed herself in the covers. The smile that appeared on David's face was a true sign: a sign of love.
He crawled into bed next to the small girl and brought her closer to his chest; her face now buried in the crook of his neck. "You're taller when you lay down." He mumbled.
"Shut up David." Aspen raised her head; they're eyes made contact. "You're just extremely tall and i'm tired of you mak---"
In an instant, David's lips were on her. Aspen kisses back after a brief moment of shock. They both had dreamed of this moment. The kiss was short, yet filled with so much love.
Aspen brought herself even closer to David. "Nap time?"
"Sure babe, nap time."

And there, in David's arms, Aspen finally felt safe.