Page 124 of All of You

“Good,” she says taking my hand. “Let’s go party. I’m starving.”

I lean down to her ear. “Maybe later after the adults have bailed we can all play seven minutes in heaven.”

Her cheeks turn pink and she swats at me playfully. “Noneed for the game, I’ll voluntarily take seven minutes in a closet with you any day.”

Epilogue

I never want to see her cry again. As Delia and I walked towards the dorm building, I couldn’t help but take in every detail of her face, the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the way her hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders. But as we reached the door, the reality of her leaving sunk in, and I noticed how her smile was slightly forced, how her eyes were watering.

The sun shone brightly over the campus buildings as we carried my boxes into the dorm room. The decorations and posters on the walls made the space feel lively and inviting. But as we said our goodbyes, the light seemed to dim and the walls suddenly felt bare, a stark reminder of the change that was taking place.

I knew in a week I’d go help move her into her dorm but the finality of being in different locations really hit home when she left with my parents. I’d stolen every hug and every kiss allowed before I shut the car door and waved them off.

***

Delia’s dorm room had been bare, except for a bed and a desk with a small lamp. The walls were concrete, a dull white, void of any personal touches. Her belongings were neatly packed into boxes, ready to be unpacked and set up.

We’d made a day of it, getting everything just to her liking before I’d had to leave. Watching her tear up again in the span of a week was torture.

It’s been two weeks since I moved her in. We text and talk daily as we try to figure out our class schedules and new friends and parties. It’s chaotic and not at all what we’re used to. She’s better suited at being the new kid more than I am. She’s made heaps of friends already. I have been in a funk.

College is hard. Making new friends is hard. Being away from her is hard. Mom keeps telling me I’ll adjust but I want to know when.

But man, I miss her. I miss seeing her. Touching her and the smell of her fruity shampoo.

I pick up my phone to call her. It’s Friday night and it’s so hot in my dorm room that I feel like I might bake myself alive. My roommate, Dan, a burly Midwestern kid, is already out for the night.

I hit dial. It rings five times.

She doesn’t answer.

I huff out a frustrated sigh.

Delia was supposed to come visit this weekend but something came up last minute. Not gonna lie, that really crushed me. I’ve been a little homesick but trying really hard to muscle through it. I pace the small room. Kick my laundry basket.

There’s a knock on the door.Fucking Dan, forgot his key again.

I yank the door open and struggle to catch my breath.

I smile big. Instantly pulling her inside the door. Relief and happiness rush through me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, clutching her against me.

She cups my face. “I missed you,” she says, those green eyes staring up at me.

I pull her across the room in a hug. We roll across my tiny bed. Her eyes don’t restrain her truth. She’s dreaming of our future. Of a house with a big porch and kids growing up as we grow old. Her, with her own little shop in a small town, me—an architect. I can see it all in those green eyes and I want to make every last future dream come true.

And I will.

I gaze into her eyes, seeing the desire that matches my own and I feel settled, at home.

“All of you, baby,” I whisper as my lips meet hers.

Her lips are soft and warm as we kiss deeply, our bodies pressed close. I can feel her heart racing against my chest. She runs her fingers through my hair as our kiss grows more passionate. Nothing else matters but her.