ADAM
After scolding him, she sent me to the pharmacy. Of course, I should have kept an eye on that detail, but when she allowed me to touch her, I forgot everything in the world.
- Maybe a child isn’t such a bad thing. - I smile because this thought doesn’t scare me at all right now. But I don’t want everything to be like this. Accidentally and completely untimely. So, I find the first 24-hour pharmacy, grab the pills, and head back. I enter the apartment and see Amanda looking at my phone, which is lit up with our joint photo taken seven years ago.
I approach, hug her, causing her to tense up completely.
— It was always there, since that very day. — I don’t know why I said this, but I want her to know that I have never forgotten her.
7 years ago....
Since the day I walked Amanda home, nearly a month has passed, and we have seen each other almost every day. It wasn’t hard to find her phone number because those who seek always find. What scared me more was that she might not want to communicate. And when I called her for the first time and suggested we meet, you should have seen my surprise when the girl agreed.
So, since that day, I either stole her away after classes for a few hours (she told her parents something about additional lessons), or she would escape to me at night, and we could wander the night city until dawn.
Today was an important day for me. A fight that would not only bring profit, but also serve as a springboard to a new level. The only problem is that Kitten still doesn’t know what I do, and of course, there’s no better way to tell her than to invite her today.
- I’ll show you something today. - it sounds a bit strange, but over the time we’ve spent together, she surely understands me and isn’t afraid.
- I'm scared. - I can hear her smiling in her voice. Of all people, she definitely doesn’t fear me, and I hope it stays like that forever.
- I’ll pick you up at 10. - I end the call and go prepare because that evening I need both victories.
I arrive without being late. By the way, only after my grandmother's death did I buy a car. So, at 24 years old, I am the owner of a tinted black Toyota.
Amanda approaches the car, and I forget how to speak. She’s wearing a red skirt below the knee with a slit that scandalously exposes her leg, a black top with sleeves but open shoulders, and high-heeled sandals. And red lipstick too. It’s the first time I see her like this. For almost the whole month we just walked the streets, so she would run out to me in sweatpants. But now, looking at her, I forget what awaits me ahead.
- Hi. - as she gets into the car, she smiles too hesitantly, as if fearing my reaction.
- Hi. - my voice sounds strange. - You look absolutely stunning today. - Amanda’s cheeks flush.
- Thank you. - she raises her strange green eyes to me, and the whole world stops existing. Without saying another word, we drive to the club where everything will happen. Of course, I should have warned her, but I was afraid that it would scare her off, so I decided to keep quiet.
Upon arriving, I lead her inside and leave her in the VIP area while I go to tell the coach that I’m already here.
A few minutes later, I head to the bar to get a cocktail for Amanda when Mira appears next to me. A girl with whom I had a fling a few months ago. Sex with her got boring quickly, and there was nothing interesting beyond that.
- Adam, I’m so happy to see you. - she leans in to kiss me, but I extend my hand forward and push her away.
- No need for that. - when we broke up, I told her to pretend we weren’t acquainted; I don’t like those kinds of scenes.
- I missed you. Maybe we should celebrate your victory today, like before. - Mira adjusts her already deep neckline and winks at me.
- I have other plans today. - even if Kitten wasn’t waiting for me, I definitely wouldn’t be going anywhere with her.
Mira doesn’t even get a chance to say a word before her eyes widen in surprise.
- I was looking for you. Am I interrupting? - Amanda comes up and takes my hand. For the first time. In this month, the most we had was a hug at goodbye. And now I feel her small palm gripping mine, intertwining our fingers. I had almost forgotten that my ex is standing here, who a moment ago was offering to sleep with me. Because inside, every cell of me only feels the warmth of the girl next to me.
- No, of course not, I got you a drink. - I grab the drink from the bar and lead us back to the VIP area, holding her hand tightly, afraid she might take it away.
When she sits down on the couch, I realize it’s time for me to go.
- Kitten, I’m going to disappear for a bit. I’ll explain everything afterward, just don’t disappear. - I release her hand and vanish into the dark corridors.
After 10 minutes, the floodlights turn on, and the fight begins. I can’t see Amanda, but I hope the girl won’t vanish by the time I can explain everything to her.
The opponent isn’t easy, and I take a few hits, resulting in bruises and a split brow. Returning to my changing room, the doctor examines me, and the only thing I ask for is to bring Amanda here.
From the uncertainty, my heart races.
- What if she left? - the longer I wait, the worse thoughts creep into my head. Is it possible that this scared her so much that I don’t have a chance to explain anything?
The door swings open, and Amanda rushes into the room, trembling all over. Without waiting a moment, she throws herself at me and hugs me. Despite all the injuries, I pull her close and feel how tense her body is right now.
- Kitten, it's okay. Don’t worry. - I stroke her back, trying to calm her down. I was expecting a slightly different reaction. She lifts her head, and I see her green teary eyes. And again, I don't know what to do. She doesn’t need to say anything for me to understand how worried she was; it’s all written on her face. But now I need to know what caused such a reaction. But I don’t get a chance to say anything before the coach walks into the locker room.
- Congratulations, son. I think this moment needs to be recorded. - he pulls out his phone and takes a picture. That very shot later becomes the permanent wallpaper on all my phones. That photo isn’t just about my victory in the ring; that photo is a symbol of winning the fight for the heart of the girl I will never let go of.
We stand silently in the midst of the kitchen. She is still looking at the photo, and I don’t know what to say in such a situation. Quite some time passes before Amanda turns back to me:
- Stay. For one night. And that’s it. - her words cut me deeply, but I don’t have the right to ask for more. I place the medicine on the table while she disappears behind the bedroom door.
How much I wish I could stay for a lifetime. Where it’s just the two of us. Where there is no past that destroys everything.
But instead, she offers me a night.
A night I don’t deserve, but one I definitely won’t refuse. I go to her room and meet the gaze of her green eyes.
- I take it you didn’t invite me for sleep. - she stands on her toes and kisses me, and after that, nothing remains. We fell asleep when the sun was already shining too brightly, and there was very little time left until the alarm went off. Even in my sleep, I didn’t let her out of my arms, guarding every moment. We have no future, but we have this moment. And I am ready to give everything to keep it for a bit longer.
Amanda lies on my chest, peacefully snoring, and I try to quietly get up because I realize that I am not ready to say goodbye face to face.
But I can’t get up because her embrace tightens even more.
- Don’t go. - without waking up, she purrs into my chest, and I would do anything just to make those words true.
- Don’t go, because I love you. - my heart stops, air rushes out of my lungs, my whole body freezes. The woman is still asleep, but I am sure these words were meant for me.
You might say that I want this too much, and that’s why I believe in something that doesn’t exist. But looking at the ring on my hand, lying close to my heart, I have the right to hope that 7 years haven’t destroyed what was between us. That I didn’t destroy it through my foolishness and fear.
I no longer try to get up and leave. It’s better if she wakes up and chases me out than me running away from what awaits me ahead again. Through my thoughts, I don’t notice when I drift into sleep, and I once again dream of that beach and the naked Amanda running to swim in the sea.