#tayricka

"Love is illogical, it means nothing to me."

Her fists unwillingly clenched and yet Ericka forced herself to give a distasteful scott and the roll of her hazel hues. “And yet, here we are.” She spread out her hands, appraising him through cool, detached eyes. How dare he pretend he didn’t still love her? How dare he turn her away, when she had crawled past months of silence, for a chance to fix something that she feared could never be fixed. “Your wedding is tomorrow. Don’t tell me it’s illogical, tell me that you’ll be with me despite of that.” Ericka’s heart defrosted long enough for her to plead, softly, with as much dignity as she could maintain, “Leave her. Be with me.” 

"Can I skip dinner and go right for dessert?"

 Alarmingly, Ericka actually laughed. “To be fair,” she smiled from behind her hand. It was still pressed to her warm skin, pink with the wine they’d drunk. “That was completely out of character for you.” Her lids were heavy now as she lowered her hand to allow her fingers to flit across his chiseled jaw. Gaze hazy with the influence and a little something more, she stoked his cheek, lounging across him like a cat, sleek and proud, “However,I can’t say I’d mind.” 

p a r k l i e

the first kiss is a secret. something purely theirs. his lips touch her cheeks and this girl from Alaska has never felt this warm in her life.

the second kiss is a promise. it’s a vow to be there. whether it’s paparazzi, gossip columnists or anyone else. the kiss deepens, his hands tighten and she thinks she might just believe him.

the third kiss is the calm before the storm. the ship sways beneath their feet, the moon is high and bright and nothing could go wrong. if she falls, she knows she’ll hit the ground, but he kisses her in a way that tells her that the landing won’t hurt.

the fourth kiss is honesty. it’s the healing. the epilogue. the ever after they’ve always wanted. it’s a wish for better endings, happier beginnings, and smooth sailing after they’ve braved the vicious waters.

the fifth kiss is perfection. she thinks she should have known then and there it wouldn’t last. back then her heart could have swelled to its brims with love, but now it’s just a hollow memory, tinged with shame and loss.

g a l t o n

first kisses, she doesn’t know, are not meant to be this perfect. first kisses are not meant to bring lightening and butterflies to her stomach. first kisses are messes, clashing teeth and fumbled apologies. this, is everything but. 

the second kiss radiates warmth. she breathes out innocence and he takes it all in. her curls tickle his face as they fall asleep together with red lips and laced fingers. everything about this feels right

except suddenly it isn’t. the third kiss is her prayer for his safety. her heart is in cracks and pieces. the kiss is a soft graze, a flutter, a whisper of unrequited love and just barely holding on. 

the fourth kiss is his plea. she will never know how it tastes of salt and how his shoulders strained with worry. if she did, he’d have known then and there: she loves him too.