Page 23 of For Three Seconds

“Scarlett!”

My name sounded far away. My ears were ringing, and I was hot, which was odd for nighttime in spring. The air was heavy, and my clothes reeked. I shouldn’t have stood so close to the bonfire.

“Baby, you need to get out the car,” I heard someone say, but the voice was too low and in agony, and I couldn’t make it out.

“Oh God, Scarlett.”

I tried to open my eyes to whoever was calling my name, but I couldn’t. I was too weak.

I know I said it felt hot, but I started to shake, chills all over my body, and I couldn’t control them.

“Wake up.”

“Wake up, Scar.”

“Baby, please wake up.”

When I opened my eyes, Gavin was looking down at me. His arms were wrapped around me, and I kept shaking.

“You had a nightmare,” he croaked.

I gulped and nodded. It’d been a few months, but my nightmares were a part of me.

“I’m okay.”

Gavin shook his head and gave me a sad smile.

“Don’t lie to me. Not anymore. Not today,” he pleaded. He kissed my temple, his lips lingering. “You remember last year?”

I leaned against his chest, relishing his warmth. How could I forget it? It was right after my parents had passed. A month after, to be precise. I’d gone to school because I didn’t want to be alone, and Gigi had stayed home that day because she was sick. I was so lonely, sad, and tired when I heard someone say I needed to stop being so depressing. I lost it. I screamed because it was suffocating me to stay quiet. My whole world got pulled out of me, and no one cared.

I slammed my desk and threw my books. I had a tantrum in the middle of class. I lost it in front of everyone. I remembered running out. Gavin had found me in the south exit as I was pressed against the wall crying. He’d held me like he was doing now.

“God, Scar, I don’t know how you’re doing it. I know it’s not easy, but if you need anything, call me. Talk to me. Just use me.”

I burrowed closer to Gavin, closing my eyes tightly. I didn’t call him. I didn’t need him, but I did use him. In that stairwell, with my eyes full of tears and my heart bleeding, I kissed Gavin. It was only three seconds, but at that moment, the pain stopped.

“I remember it all,” I mumbled before I fell asleep.

* * *

Gavin

I should have gone home. Anywhere rather than in Scarlett’s room while she slept. I always said I wanted her alone, and in a bed, but this was not what I had imagined. Yet I relished the feeling of her body pressed against mine.

I was worried when she didn’t show up to class, so when Dylan said she was a no-show, I ditched and came here. I knew Nick wasn’t home, so maybe I just wanted alone time with Scarlett. It’d been too long since it had been just her and me.

She looked sick as fuck, and still she was a beauty. Her long, curled lashes, her lips, and her wavy hair. It all drove me crazy because I had no claim to her. I got frustrated earlier, but not at her. I wanted to make her some food, to take care of her, but she didn’t have anything. So, I left in a hurry because I was scared that if I brought it up, she would kick me out.

When I came back, she was knocked out. I’d heard from Nick she had nightmares; I’d just never witnessed one. I couldn’t imagine being in a car with my parents, having them blow up, only for me to wake up when it was just ashes remaining. I was about to run my fingers through Scarlett’s hair when my phone rang. It was probably for the best I didn’t touch her more than I already was.

Gigi:Where are you? Jordy saw you in econs?

Instead of answering Gigi, I went to the living room so I could continue to work on the project. It took everything in me to let go of Scar at that moment. She was the one thing I wanted most since I was a boy, and about one of the only things I couldn’t have. Instead, I got lost in the project, wishing it could be real.

“I’m so sorry. I fell asleep.” Scarlett came out about an hour later, wrapped in a blanket.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Dunn, I got you covered.” I looked down before I could see her shut down to the stupid nickname. “We’re almost done. We just need to go over our annual budget and your contribution to the house.”