To Luna and Back

Six

I'm woken up by the sound of my name.

"CRESS! CRESS!" The voice is distant.

"CRESS!" It's getting closer.

"CRESS!" I hear footsteps slapping loudly against the metal floors of the hallway.

"STARS, CRESS!"

The door to my cabin flies open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. Thorne stands in the opening, the light from the hall glowing around his silhouette.

He flips the lights on and runs to my bed. I back up to the wall, frightened by the sudden action.

"Cress, I see you," he whispers. His hands rub all over my face, exploring. His eyes do the same.

"What?" I ask, stunned.

"I. See. You."

"You see me." I mean it as a question but it comes out as a statement.

"Yes," he breathes out.

I can only make out his bright, focused eyes in the dim light, my own still blurry with sleep.

"Whoa," Thorne says quietly.

My face flames as I begin to realize something. I just know that he regrets everything. The desert, the rooftop, the kisses, the sweet words. I'm not beautiful enough.

I look down and gently push away from him. He drops his hands, but he's still staring at me, now more with concern.

"What's wrong?" he asks, ducking his head so he can look me in the eyes.

"It's okay..." I mutter.

"What's okay? Hey," he lifts my chin and pushes strands of hair out of my face. "Look at me."

As he moves to sit next to me on the bed I finally get a good look at him. His hair is tousled, fresh from sleep. His eyes are a much different story, still looking wide awake and thirsty for more sights. His chin is covered in a fine layer of scruff.

"Can you tell me what's wrong? Are you crying?" I swipe at my cheeks and am ashamed to find wetness there. Thorne pulls me into him. "Talk to me."

"You see me now," my voice is muffled against his t-shirt.

"Do you not want me to...?"

"No, that's not the problem. I'm so happy you can see now, but..." I expect him to interject, but he doesn't. He waits for me to finish. "It's just that, now you know that I'm still the girl you saw once tied up in a satellite. I haven't suddenly become some net drama star."

Thorne sighs, pushing me from his chest. He keeps his hands on my shoulders, though.

"Don't tell me you're saying what I think you're saying..."

I just stare at him, unsure of what to say. He seems to get the message.

"Cress... you can't seriously believe you aren't pretty enough. You can't seriously think I'd base who I love off of-" he catches himself.

"You love me?" My voice embarrassingly cracks halfway through. I bite my tongue and wish I could take it back.

Thorne still looks shocked by what he said. He stares at me for what feels like years.

But then he laughs a little, relaxing. He puts on his signature smirk. "To Luna and back."