"Em,Em, I'm leaving" I felt someone shake my shoulder.
"Huh?" I looked up to see Abby head for the door. "Did the movie finish?"
"Yeah" she chuckled. "You fell asleep halfway through....You both did" she said pointing at Collins.
I slid my head up to see him still sleeping. "Oh" I said lying my head back down.
" 'Oh' is right. I'm going home."
"You don't wanna watch another movie?"
"I think I'll leave you two alone."
"You don't have to leave"
"I don't want to interfere. You guys need this time alone. Just tell me how it goes." she said, walking towards the front door.
"Okay. Text me when you get home."
"Alright"
With those last words, I heard the door close. After she left, I just stood there, thinking about how quickly this all happened. I looked back up at a sleepy Collins and couldn't help but smile. I watched him sleep for a few seconds, then slowly began to drift off again. Before I could close my eyes, he woke up.
"Hey." he said in a husky voice.
"Hey" I whispered.
"Where'd Abby go?"
"She went home. We fell asleep halfway through the movie." I looked back up.
"Oh, okay."
"Yup. So I guess it's just me and you"
"What time is it?"
I checked the time on my phone. "It's almost five. Do you have to leave too?"
"Not yet. My flight's not until seven.....in the morning. I think we're okay."
"Good."
"So what do you wanna do?" He started to fiddle with my hand again.
"I don't know."
"You wanna take a walk?"
"Or we could just stay here."
"It's up to you"
"Walk it is. Plus, it'll be awkward if anyone walked in on us like this."
"Okay"
We got up, put on our shoes, and went outside.
"You know, it was really sweet of you to come over here the way you did."
"I just wanted to see you. Especially beacause...well...you know."
"Yeah. I just wish you didn't have to leave so soon."
"Me too. But let's not think about that now. We're together right now and that's all that matters." He held my hand.
As we were walking, he got recognized by a girl who looked about my age.
"Excuse me, but, aren't you Collins Key?" she asked.
"Yes I am" he responded.
"Oh. My. God. You're amazing"
"Thanks."
"Who's this?"
''Oh...this is my...." he looked to me unsure of what to say. I shook my head, signaling for him to keep it a secret, if it was in the slightest bit a secret. "My friend, Emily"
"Right" I could tell she didn't believe us. "Can you take our picture?" she asked me.
"Sure." she handed me her phone.
"Your secret's safe with me" she whispered.
They took the classic "kiss on the cheek" photo.
"Thanks" She hugged us both, took her phone, then ran off.
"So, where were we?" He tried to hold my hand again. I didn't let him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing"
"Em"
" "Who's this?' Really?"
"That's why you're upset?"
"No. It's just.....these are the last few moments that I get to spend with you. And that picture is a reminder of what we're both gonna have to face every day."
"It was just a peck on the cheek."
"Just a peck?"
"You're really gonna let that ruin this?"
"No. But-"
"Shhhh" He grabbed my hands and pulled me in close. "It was just a picture. Besides, you're the only one who I really want to kiss."
"Oh yeah? Prove it." I draped my arms over his shoulders and tip-toed as much as I could without falling.
"Gladly." he whispered before pressing his lips to mine.
The way he held me made me feel safe. At that moment, letting go was the last thing that I wanted to do.
"Okay, I believe you." I said as we broke apart.
"Are you sure?"
"Mhmm"
