Breathless

Meet Katherine Kardiff.

Naïve, quiet, and sweet. Heart full of unfulfilled dreams. Stronger by the minute.

Not much gets better for her.

•

Enter Ethan Rymes.

Realist, loud, and sarcastic. Luck seems to find him. Losing motivation.

Everything is always fine for him. Not great, but fine.

•

Now imagine they meet. Imagine the two opposites touch fingers while going to the unlock the same locker. Imagine the thrill of Ethan's adventures and the warmth of Katherine's short stories.

Just imagine.

" 'Have you ever listened to the rain, Ethan?' I question softly, staring into his eyes and praying that he feels the connection too. 'Have you ever taken the time to admire the fallen leaves?'

He shakes his head in amusement and laughs softly. God is that laugh beautiful. 'Not this again, Katherine.' I know I should be focusing on his obvious annoyance with my interest in nature, but instead I'm focusing on how my name rolls off of his lips. How he pronounces it with three syllables instead of two.

Instead of getting caught up in his obvious good looks, I smile. And his lips part. And his eyes zero in on my face, as if I'm a target. And he smiles. And for the moment, we're both breathless."