Road Trip

[Hyacinth]

His pine and sea salt smell is so soothing that for one, brief, shining moment I let myself forget that we have an audience and leaned up against him, breathing in his scent. Releasing a sigh I didn't know I was holding, I close my eyes.

I hear a cough from behind us and I remember where I am and who I am with. Standing, I straighten out my clothing and try to smile “Sorry,” I apologize, “I can be a bit clumsy sometimes.”

The sun shining through Slate’s light brown hair casts a halo around his head, giving it an almost golden glow. I find myself breathless and mesmerized as I look up into his glowing blue eyes, his face still and his lips slightly parted.

“Not…Not a problem,” he stumbles over his words...”I’m glad I was here to catch you.”

Another cough from the van on the street reminds us both of where we are and what we have become to one another. We aren’t even friends anymore. We are barely associates. And we both have other people to love.

“Slate sweetie, we