“Why not?” I shake my head, trying to pull away.
“I know, it was bad. But you have to move on. I know you love your mom, but I don’t want you to end up like her. She’s a good person and she’s taken good care of you, but the two of you are missing out on so much.”
Scoffing, I shake my head and finally pull away from his hands. “Like what? More jerks? Noisy school campuses? Strange ceremonies?”
Chuckling, he shakes his head. “No. Like the sand between your toes, the salt water of the sea warm in the sun. Seeing the sunrise on a hill, camping out in the middle of nowhere just to prove you can do it. Like trying new foods to taste the world and meeting new, weird people because maybe beneath that mask, they’re just like you. Like how fast your heart beats and your head rushes when you try something new and spectacular and it changes your life. Things like that.” He stands up, stepping closer to me.
“You’re still bleeding,” I mumble, looking away.
“And you’re avoiding this,” he smiles. “Olivia, I need you in my life. I climbed three stories and got cut up by millions of roses just to tell you this. So please don’t say I don’t matter. Don’t say you didn’t miss me and wish you’d never met me.”
Swallowing hard, I glance down at our hands. “What am I supposed say, Garrett? That - that I want to explore this world with you? Try new things with you?”
The boy gives me a cheeky grin. “Of course. And maybe try this, too.” His cheeks turn bright pink before he leans forward, his lips touching mine before I know what’s going on. It’s small and simple - but after all the books I’ve read and the stories I’ve heard, no kiss can compare in this moment.
My heart beats wildly, and I let him lead me into the sun.
World of Monsters Page 3
