Before I Met You

Chapter 22

"What does it sound like?" Dylan asked, running his fingertips along my bare spine. "What does what sound like?" I questioned softly, staring out his bedroom window overlooking the empty street covered in a fresh blanket of snow. "Their thoughts."

"It's like..." Sighing heavily, taking me a moment to gather the most accurate description. "A stream of consciousness. Like suddenly coming to me in my mind as if it were my own. But I hear their own voices. I can always tell who it's coming from. It's harder to suppress when people are mad or upset." I explained, not worried about what he could be thinking about me.

"Sometimes- Most times it's painful. Especially when I try to fight it." I finished emotionless. For some reason opening up to him was easy and effortless. "I'm sorry." My eyes furrowed, turning my attention to him. "I'm sorry you've had to deal with this all on your own for most of your life." Dylan expressed, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

I didn't know what to say, being so caught off guard by his genuine sorrow and compassion. "As great as this has been, I do have some things to do today." I reluctantly forced myself away from Dylan to find my clothes scattered along his bedroom floor.

"My grandmother had given me a long list of things to do before Christmas. I'll never hear the end of it if I don't finish." I changed the subject as I got dressed.

"Could you use some help? Or company?" Dylan turned around to face me propping his head up in his hand.

"It's not exactly exciting work. I have to go into town to check on the floral garlands and arrangements." I replied silently wishing I could spend the rest of the day in bed with him. "Well, that's perfect because I'm starving and would love something from the diner." He gave a smile as I continued to get dressed.

"It's almost as if you want to come with me?" I questioned sarcastically failing to fight an amused smile growing on my face. Dylan grabbed my hips throwing me gently back onto the bed. Laughing under him until he kissed me. "I never want to be apart from you."

. ✧ .

"So, why exactly is this so important?" Dylan asked me as we visited every business shop. My grandmother needed confirmation on what dish everyone would be bringing to the Christmas Fair. "This town takes Christmas very seriously. My grandmother just wants everything to be perfect."

We left Cyrus' cafe meeting with the harsh cold making me wrap my coat tighter around me. "She used to be on the town council. She lived for the holidays and she doted all her time and energy towards the community. But recently she's had to take a step back and it's just made her even more restless." I explained to him as we walked side by side down the busy sidewalk.

Townspeople doing their last minute shopping and decorating for the holidays. Groups of friends and family sat in the warmth of the restaurants and bistros laughing over hot chocolate and coffee. A part of me longed for close relationships like those.

I want to understand what it's like to be in a group or a crowd of people that care about you. To have long, deep conversations and discussions about topics with those you love and care for. Without having their raging, personal thoughts swarm through your head as if they were your own.

Knowing every lie they tell, knowing their true intentions and opinions of you and those around them. It's exhausting. Some things are meant to be kept a secret. Most thoughts are not meant to be shared with a complete stranger.

"You help her out with them? That's surprisingly nice of you." Dylan teased as I rolled my eyes. "What can I say? I'm just full of surprises."

"Obviously." He leaned down into my ear. His voice was deep and husky, making my heart pound against my chest. A foreign heat erupted all throughout my body remembering the intense and intimate morning we spent together.