Slay (Storm MC 4)

Her hand came up to rest against mine. “Yes, you do. We all deserve someone who sees us, and accepts us for who we are.”

I shut my eyes and focused on my breathing.

This is too good to be true.

My body buzzed with a concoction of emotions.

Happiness.

Peace.

Awe.

Fear.

My mind was like a racetrack with the emotions racing through it.

Fighting for recognition.

Fighting for domination.

When will the madness end?

Her warm lips pressed against mine.

A balm to my chaos.

“Open your eyes,” she whispered.

I opened them.

Caring eyes stared back at me.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said.

“Not now.”

My chest tightened.

“Our parents taught us to expect rejection. We have to unlearn that, baby.” She brushed her lips against mine again. “Together,” she whispered.

Fuck.

The ghosts of my childhood circled, fighting for their place in my soul. I always let them in, but not tonight. Tonight, I clung to Layla. My lifeline to a new place in the world.

Together.

***

“Ashley!”

She fought her attacker. Frantic hands clawed at his face, drawing blood. He grunted and punched her. She fell to the ground.

I struggled to run to her, my legs heavy and unable to move fast enough.

She kicked her attacker, but her frantic efforts were useless. He towered over her and ripped her dress up, panties down.

My heart almost exploded in my chest.