‘Kyla’. Kyla! My heart leapt for a moment, but my mind quickly reprimanded it. How could I possibly allow Ashley to permeate my mind tonight? After all of this? I angrily shut my phone and prepared to shove it back into my pocket, but I suddenly caught the time on it. 9:37 PM. Crap. I had to get home.

            I turned to Avery, and before doing anything, I listened to the sound of her breathing for a few moments. It floated gracefully in and out of her lungs so softly, as if a gentle whisper. I moved my face closer to hers and I kissed her while also brushing a stray auburn lock from her face. She stirred and I knew she was conscious because her breathing had changed, but she didn’t open her eyes. I pulled my lingering lips from hers and smiled.

“Avery,” I breathed, just an inch from her face. I felt my own breath reflect at me. She smiled, tickled by my air. “We’ve gotta go.” I resented the fact that this night had to end. I felt so comfortable in her caress, so meant to be. I laughed internally, reflecting on how the night began. How could I have been so nervous just hours ago?

            Avery finally opened her doe eyes, groaning loudly to announce her dissatisfaction with awakening.

            “Jesus, Spencer, I was so comfortable” She said, unable to keep herself from smiling as she stared back up at me. Her face was illuminated with the moonlight that peeked through the trees. Her eyes sparkled with the intensity of the stars above us. “Alright, alright” She mumbled, sitting up just when I’d begun to second-guess our need to leave. We rose together anyway, and ambled slowly down the concrete path towards the parking lot. Her hand wound in mine, we walked in a perfect silence until we reached our cars. Hers came first. Prior to opening the door, she turned back to face me – stunning me one more time with those eyes.

“I had a really great time tonight, Spencer” She said quietly, the corners of her lips not even trying to stifle the smile that broke out across them.

            “Me too” I replied lamely, feeling as if those two words weren’t nearly sufficient for what I felt tonight.