Page 39 of Queen’s Gambit

I almost fainted when Eddie smiled and pointed at me like he’d scored that goal just for me and not the whole school. It didn’t matter if he did or didn’t. What mattered were these moments, and I committed every one of them to memory. What was around the corner for us? I had no idea, but I never wanted to forget that we were fighting for our future.

Yulianna

Ella smiled at me in the mirror as I smoothed my dress down.

You look beautiful.

Thank you.

She’d been sweet enough to help me put my hair into a sweeping up-do. Turning to face Ella, I grabbed her and pulled her in for a hug. We’d grown so close since I arrived, and she felt like a sister. We had so much in common outside of where we were born, and I’d spent a great deal of time sitting and sketching with her while music played softly.

What was that for?

Just because you’re amazing and I love you.

She smiled wide, her eyes shining with happiness.

I love you, too.

The knock at the door stopped our sappy moment, but it was just as well, or my makeup would turn from a masterpiece to a disaster. I signed that someone was at the door, and she ran over before I could stop her. Ella whipped it open like she was presenting me to a crowd. Eddie looked confused but stepped inside. When we locked eyes, my heart beat out of rhythm, and my stomach somersaulted.

He looked incredible in the tailored black suit, his hair perfectly styled, and an arm full of flowers. Ella was behind Eddie, bouncing on the balls of her feet with excitement while I stood there stunned. I shouldn’t be. I’d seen him in a suit a million times, but tonight was different. He looked different.

“Not even Venus compares to you, Ana. Even if my eyes only feast on you for the rest of eternity they will never grow weary of the sight,” Eddie said softly.

He traced my cheek with the back of his knuckles. My pulse was thready, and I felt lightheaded. I’d never known anyone to have a connection like we had.

“Eddie, you set me on too high of a pedestal. I worry for the day I fall, and you no longer see me as this flawless, goddess-like being. I am far from perfect.”

The corner of his mouth tugged up in his patented smirk that always said he knew more than the rest of the world or, in this case, me. Yet, I never felt like he was looking down on me. That was a talent all on its own.

“You’re perfect for me, Ana,” he said, brushing his lips against mine.

Forgetting that he was holding flowers, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him hard. As I clung to him, I poured every ounce of love there was inside of me into the kiss, never wanting this moment to end. His arm snaked around my waist and pulled me tight against his body. We were one soul divided into two bodies and were only whole when together again.

“Why are you crying, anima mia?”

Eddie licked my tears from his lips.

“I’m just so happy.”

“I hate to see you cry…even when you’re happy.” Eddie gently wiped my cheek and the evidence away with his finger.

“Can we just stay in? Just stay here and hide from the world forever.”

“Do you really want to stay in?”

I really did. As much as going out on a normal date sounded like fun, I also just wanted to say curled up in our little corner of the world.

“Would you hate me if I said yes?”

“I could never hate you, and I don’t care if we go out. I can have the food delivered.”

Ella stepped into my line of sight, getting my attention she began to sign.

I am heading to visit my parents for the night.

You don’t have to do that.