Chapter 10: The Choice

Her voice grew wistful, full of longing for all the places she’d been. She squeezed his hand, her thumb tracing circles on his skin.

"But I..."

She paused, searching for the words. She took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"But I still want to go home. I want to take you home with me. We can go see the grinning statue in the central square, the maple tree on my high school campus that never keeps its leaves, the little white cat downstairs that loves to rub against people’s hands, my parents—and then tell them—"

She squeezed his hand, her voice trembling with emotion. The city lights outside blurred as her eyes filled with tears.

"Tell them, you’re the one I want to spend my life with."

She stepped back, looking down slightly to meet his eyes. Her gaze was steady, her love unmistakable.

"Evan, do you want to go home with me?"

She searched his face, her heart pounding in her chest. The question hung in the air, heavy with possibility.

Go home, with his sister?

The idea was overwhelming, almost surreal. Could he?

He looked at her, searching for any hint of hesitation. His hands trembled, his chest tight and sore, his fingers stiff on her waist.

He tried to find the words, but his throat was too tight. "I..."

He could. Anything, as long as it was with her. He nodded, the answer clear in his eyes.

Lauren gently pushed him away, stood straight, tilting her head up to him. She reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead.

Her right hand rested on his neck, her forehead brushing his cheek, shaking her head gently. She smiled, her touch gentle and reassuring.

"You have my energy in you. I have a way to take you back. So Evan, don’t be afraid." Her voice was soft. "But..."

She hesitated, wanting to be sure he understood the gravity of the choice.

"No need to answer right away. It’s your choice. Think carefully, Evan."

She pressed a kiss to his cheek, her eyes full of concern. By her ear was Evan’s unsteady breathing, calming her.

He wrapped his arms around her, grounding them both. The city’s pulse faded, leaving only the sound of their hearts.

"If you come with me, it’ll be a completely unfamiliar place. No relatives, no friends, nothing you have now. And you won’t be able to regret it."

She told him quietly, wanting him to know what he was facing. Lauren knew better than anyone how hard it was to live in a different world, hiding your secrets and slowly blending in.

Her voice was steady, but her hands trembled. She wanted him to understand the sacrifice.

The difference was, she’d been alone. But Evan would have her.

She smiled, squeezing his hand. "You won’t be alone."

"Think it over, Evan."

She stroked his hair, waiting for his answer. She watched his face, searching for any sign of doubt.

"I’ve thought it through."

His answer was immediate, his voice firm. His eyes shone with conviction.

"So fast?" She stepped back, looking at his faint smile. "You’ve thought it through? If you come, you’ll have nothing—only me."

She raised an eyebrow, half-teasing, half-serious.

Evan nodded.

He reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. "That’s all I want."

"Sounds perfect. I only want you."

He only wanted her—sweet, possessive, a love confession that made her heart flutter. She blushed, covering her mouth and coughing awkwardly, then crouched down to pick up the things that had fallen from the desk, hiding her embarrassment.

She busied herself with the scattered papers, her face burning. Evan chuckled and squatted down to help.

He nudged her playfully, his smile teasing. Lauren gathered things at random, stacking the papers, trying to regain her composure.

A pen, some documents, a tin box...

She paused. Her fingers lingered on the tin box, her heart skipping a beat.