The tension between us kicked up a notch, and I realized that along with our bodies being nearer, so were our lips.

Yeah? Can you draw a skeleton riding a motorcycle with flames coming out of it? And I want a pirate hat on the skeleton. And a parrot on his shoulder. A skeleton parrot. Or maybe a ninja skeleton parrot? No, that would be overkill. But it'd be cool if the biker skeleton could be shooting some ninja throwing stars. That are on fire.

How we love others is affected by how we love ourselves, and for the first time in a long time, I was whole.

Wait. You think I'm going to die? That's why you slept with me?

You need me? You yell. You want to leave? We go. I'll get you out of here, no matter what.

Seth moved behind me, his presence steady and reassuring. Waiting to catch me, even though I refused to fall just yet.

Life, unfortunately, doesn't seem to care what we want.