protecting humanity, is it? Normal and unsuspecting nineteen and twenty-one year olds are going out to movies, studying for exams, writing papers, heading to parties, and having intimate relationships. Nate and I, along with all the other guardians, have the weight of the world on our shoulders, considering our need to survive the intersection of our galaxy with another.
We come to a stoplight, and I see a girl and a guy standing outside of a shop. They are in the midst of a passionate kiss. I quickly put up my mental block, so Nate can’t peer in. I think of the kiss we shared today and how it felt different from the kisses I’ve experienced in my past.
* * *
I ’d dated on and off throughout school in Marietta. I’d had a couple of boyfriends. Sam Abernathy was my middle school boyfriend. In middle school, it was more of a social thing than anything. He was my first kiss—my sloppy first kiss.
Cord Stewart was my high school boyfriend. We started dating our sophomore year. He was a friend before we were anything more. He was a great kisser. I just didn’t feel my world turn upside down when we kissed. Cord and I dated until the summer of our senior year. He wanted more than I was willing to give. He wanted sex.
Senior year, I went on two dates, not counting prom. I went to prom with a group of guys and girls, including Elisha whom I’ve known all my life. That year was fun and uncomplicated.
Freshman year of college, I was too busy settling into classes and juggling work. There was no time for dating, and I was fine with that.
Sophomore year of college…well, you know how that turned out. It was complicated, and it wasn’t because of my love life or lack of one.
* * *
Now, Nathaniel Sera has come into my life as my link, my partner. Ezra said that we are only linked by our abilities. What if the link between us is intensifying our need for physical contact? When we kiss, it isn’t an emotional thing. I feel like I depend on physical contact with him.
I wonder if Nate experiences the same thing. Does he feel any emotions when we touch, or is it just the need to be close to me?
I look over at Nate. His eyes are focused on the road. He’s two years older than me, which should make him a senior in college. Where did he attend? Did he go to college at all? I wonder if Nate dated at all before our lives were turned upside down. Did he have a girlfriend before all of this? Was it serious? I realize that I’m feeling a little territorial over Nate by some girlfriend that might not even exist.
I roll my eyes, thinking, Jesca, it’s not like you have some weird claim on him just because you’re linked with him.
I don’t have a claim on him, but the physical link between us definitely makes me feel possessive of him. With all the healing, holding, and kissing, I’m bound to start feeling a hold over him. I know he’s feeling that for me.
When we hold each other and kiss, it draws overwhelming sensations that lead to us wanting…more. But, the wanting is just that—a want without emotions behind it. From the moment Nate and I met in the facility, we haven’t had a chance for the emotional part to play into the physical link we share. Will our emotions ever catch up with the physical link we share, or is this as far as our link is meant to go?
I shiver briefly as I feel Nate’s warm hand close around mine. The tingling electric feel of his hand courses through mine, and I intertwine my hand with his. Leaning my head back against the seat, I look away from the passenger’s window to Nate.
Nate says, “You okay? I know we said we would give each other privacy in there.” Nate points to his head. “But, I can’t help but think you’re sad about something.”
I reply, “I’m good, just thinking.” I laugh. “You know how dangerous that can be.”
Nate reluctantly lets go of my hand, grabbing the steering wheel as he pulls over into a small parking lot. “We’re here.”
I look around
We come to a stoplight, and I see a girl and a guy standing outside of a shop. They are in the midst of a passionate kiss. I quickly put up my mental block, so Nate can’t peer in. I think of the kiss we shared today and how it felt different from the kisses I’ve experienced in my past.
* * *
I ’d dated on and off throughout school in Marietta. I’d had a couple of boyfriends. Sam Abernathy was my middle school boyfriend. In middle school, it was more of a social thing than anything. He was my first kiss—my sloppy first kiss.
Cord Stewart was my high school boyfriend. We started dating our sophomore year. He was a friend before we were anything more. He was a great kisser. I just didn’t feel my world turn upside down when we kissed. Cord and I dated until the summer of our senior year. He wanted more than I was willing to give. He wanted sex.
Senior year, I went on two dates, not counting prom. I went to prom with a group of guys and girls, including Elisha whom I’ve known all my life. That year was fun and uncomplicated.
Freshman year of college, I was too busy settling into classes and juggling work. There was no time for dating, and I was fine with that.
Sophomore year of college…well, you know how that turned out. It was complicated, and it wasn’t because of my love life or lack of one.
* * *
Now, Nathaniel Sera has come into my life as my link, my partner. Ezra said that we are only linked by our abilities. What if the link between us is intensifying our need for physical contact? When we kiss, it isn’t an emotional thing. I feel like I depend on physical contact with him.
I wonder if Nate experiences the same thing. Does he feel any emotions when we touch, or is it just the need to be close to me?
I look over at Nate. His eyes are focused on the road. He’s two years older than me, which should make him a senior in college. Where did he attend? Did he go to college at all? I wonder if Nate dated at all before our lives were turned upside down. Did he have a girlfriend before all of this? Was it serious? I realize that I’m feeling a little territorial over Nate by some girlfriend that might not even exist.
I roll my eyes, thinking, Jesca, it’s not like you have some weird claim on him just because you’re linked with him.
I don’t have a claim on him, but the physical link between us definitely makes me feel possessive of him. With all the healing, holding, and kissing, I’m bound to start feeling a hold over him. I know he’s feeling that for me.
When we hold each other and kiss, it draws overwhelming sensations that lead to us wanting…more. But, the wanting is just that—a want without emotions behind it. From the moment Nate and I met in the facility, we haven’t had a chance for the emotional part to play into the physical link we share. Will our emotions ever catch up with the physical link we share, or is this as far as our link is meant to go?
I shiver briefly as I feel Nate’s warm hand close around mine. The tingling electric feel of his hand courses through mine, and I intertwine my hand with his. Leaning my head back against the seat, I look away from the passenger’s window to Nate.
Nate says, “You okay? I know we said we would give each other privacy in there.” Nate points to his head. “But, I can’t help but think you’re sad about something.”
I reply, “I’m good, just thinking.” I laugh. “You know how dangerous that can be.”
Nate reluctantly lets go of my hand, grabbing the steering wheel as he pulls over into a small parking lot. “We’re here.”
I look around
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