--29--

LINDEN

The morning air was also so crisp and relaxing that it was hard not to notice when Alice was around. The thick texture her scent brought was like a warning and a blanket of safety all at once. 

She slipped her hands around my waist, pressing her cheek into my back and giving me a gentle squeeze before I turned in her arms and cradled her head against my chest. Her jet black hair was always pin-straight, and as it flowed in the breeze it never escaped me how at peace she was like this. 

“I do miss this,” she whispered, “miss you all,” her jaw tensed and she swallowed roughly, “please don’t make it harder than it needs to be to leave tomorrow.” 

“If it’s hard to leave, that has nothing to do with my actions.”