Chapter .26.

"I," She says, "am always stuck. I am always stuck between giving people everything because I am dying to create meaningful relationships, and giving them nothing at all because then if they leave, at least I'll be left whole *** Nothing should be different. My repetition of the day again is coming to another turn as I wake up before the alarm of the clock- before the hour of five can sound. Nothing should be different. Yet something is. I lay still in the bed, staring at the arms that are wrapped around me. Feeling the steady breath as Orion's chest rose and fell against me. Taking in the skin that hit mine. Slowly, I try to move away. But he pulls me back. "Stay," his word is thick with sleep, making me question if he was even awake or not. My body is tense, not use to this new form of affection. I could