[tos-kah]

She ceased her coloring and stood, straddling my lap, her gaze fixed on the hope tattoo nestled between my collarbones.

Her fingers traced the tattoo with a purple marker, her touch firm, like someone I loved, used to do all the time.

Her hair was cascading over her eyes and I reached out to tuck it behind her ears.

"I wanted to see your eyes," I murmured, as she met my gaze.

She continued to stare, as if searching for something within me to reassure her. And then, in a moment that felt like a dream, her lips met mine, her fingers gently caressing my face. It was the first time she had initiated a kiss, and it was as if I was experiencing my first kiss anew.

I responded immediately, pulling her closer by her waist. By now, I could feel her tears amidst our kisses, but she did not pull away until she sadly did, looking at me one last time with her sorrowful green eyes before wrapping her arms around me.

"It helped," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

TW: abuse, death, suicide, suicidal thoughts, self harm, eating disorder, suicide attempt, murder, depression, drug abuse, child neglect, rape, sexual assault