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“I don’t know what it’ll be like for you when I’m gone. Maybe you’ll even be with someone else, but I don’t care. I just want to love you, right here, right now,” he says, sounding so sure of himself, as if this was rehearsed. “It might kill me in the long run, but I give up. And I need you to give up too.”

My eyes stay glued to him as he patiently waits for me to say something.

I slowly lift my hand and place it gently onto his chest. It’s my way of showing him I agree, because I can’t seem to find the words.

His chest drops from what I can only guess is relief. He’s still looking for a verbal answer from me.

At this moment—I just can’t resist any longer. How could I?

“Okay,” I manage to whisper.

As soon as the word comes out of my mouth, both of his hands reach for my face, pulling me in.

His lips, gentle and soft, press into me with a sense of urgency to them. Like he’s been waiting his whole life to have his lips on mine.

Everything around me starts to fade until it’s just the two of us.

I feel a rush of warmth in my chest as he pulls me closer. I reach my hands to feel his face, his hard jawline is stronger than I ever could’ve imagined. His skin is so soft under my fingertips.

He pulls my legs up and around him, and I press my chest against his, trying to be as connected as possible—but there isn’t any room to grow closer.

Our mouths move together, becoming familiar.

He pulls back abruptly, his lips parted wide. He looks at me with the same serious expression as before, his cheeks rosy.

“Ask me to stay,” he breathes out.

I wasn’t expecting him to ask me that. If I thought that was a choice, I would’ve asked him a long time ago. I would’ve asked him before our first kiss would also be our last.

I wish you wouldn’t leave.

It’s all that keeps running through my head as I continue to stroke his face, taking in every piece of him in this moment.

“I can’t ask you to do that,” I say gently.

He sighs again, his eyes unreadable. Then he’s kissing me once more. This time, he’s more aggressive, stroking my hair as he reclaims my lips.

I should have done this sooner. I could have enjoyed him for longer.

He pulls away again, pushing my arms from him. I try to pull him back, but I fail.

He’s far stronger than I am. I never had a chance.

“Reconsider.”

“What?” I ask, confused and hungry for more.

“Reconsider waiting for me,” he stammers.

His jawline clenches as I reply to him.

“Sean…I can’t. It’s too hard waiting for someone. We’re too young.”

“But I love you, Bee.”

He’s already mourning me. His words so full of anguish, it kills me.

“I know you do.” I sigh loudly.