We lay in front of a seemingly ever going forest lit from the bright orange sun we orbit. Our limbs a tangle, mimicking the first night we spent together in my bed. But instead of the cloud of lust that hung over us that night, It is longing. Our sobbs go into the abyss as all our cares melt away. In the moment all we have is each other, which is nothing.

The words ‘I’m sorry ' get thrown into the abyss by both of us. Over and over the phrase is repeated, almost as if a  promise, but more like begging. Begging for forgiveness by the other. Even if it is granted the need for the promise still looms. Neither of us wanting to acknowledge it. 

Neither of us moved. I couldn't say how long it was. The emotions circling us was too dizzying for me to focus, nor care. She was the one to lead, Simply lifting  her head to look at me. 

Her breath was still raged, she whispered, “Thank you.” 

I looked down at her, “Thank you too.” I glanced around her face. The face I had gotten to know so well in the past weeks. The one that hurt me. The one that I loved.  Realizing this I knew the only way I could properly express my feelings to her way by pressing our lips together. I forgot about everything we had said, everything we had done, and only focused on the love I was trying to express to her. I hoped the passion in our kiss showed what I was too scared to say. I needed her to know that I felt the same.

I pulled away and searched her eyes. She nodded, signaling that she fully understood. She knew I loved her too. 

We smiled at each other before standing up and leaning back on the banister. The sun was almost at rest and the light was fading. 

“It's cold.” Rynn whined, before grabbing my hand and leading me inside. 

“Hey mom, Can I sleep in the spare room?” She said without giving an explanation, Seemingly only because her mom was preoccupied with a newspaper. 

“Yeah of course honey.” She approved and Rynn almost ran to her now room.  

The door shut behind us with a loud thud as Rynn pulled me onto the bed. We lay there again, simply giggling and looking at each other. Eventually she knew that she needed to ask about Macy. 

“How, no, what,” She fumbled “Macy.”

“Let me start by saying, I went onto her. What happened between us is completely my fault. She even said that we shouldn't do anything.” I sighed. “I don't want this to ruin your guy’s friendship” 

“Huh? What? Oh god no, that- thats not a problem.” She laughed. “ I mean, Justin is literally Macy’s ex, This won’t be a problem. It’s not like you cheated then ran halfway across the country.” She said as if it was nothing. I looked at her, my mouth agape, obviously showing my amazement. “What? Now go on, tell me about it.”

“I- well I mean, I just kinda kissed her one night, well, last night technically. Then we went to sleep and the next morning she um, I mean we- You know.” I was flustered like never before. Which is unusual, but considering the circumstances I couldn't be surprised. 

“Oh, well that's boring. I thought it’d be more, ‘She pulled me into a gas station  bathroom and pinned me to the wall.’ Type thing” She joked. 

“That sounds familiar.” I joked back. “Where is she anyway? Did you talk to her?” 

“Yea, she's probably at the hotel. I talked to her and Mom before I went onto the balcony.” She responded. I nodded. 

“What about your apprenticeship at your dads? You didn’t say anything about it when we were talking earlier.” I asked. 

A sigh escaped her lips, “Oh, okay so I talked to my mom told her the truth about how I felt about my dad's plan. She said she doesn't know why I did it, because I could've just asked her to pay for it. But at the time she wasn’t really good, like mentally, I didn’t wanna bother her with it. Anyway, She said that she’d pay my dad back for the college tuition so I could stay in Washington. She knows firsthand how bad my father is. Plus, I got scholarships and stuff so Its a lot cheaper.” 

I stared blankly at her. “Okay so, First you’re super rich, and now you’re a scholar? What else do I need to know?” I halfjoked. 

She simply smiled, “Thats ironic. You said there was so much about you that I didn't know , and now here you are, asking me about my darkest secrets.” 

I grinned, “Whatever, You can ask about my darkest secrets anytime you want. Anyway” Pausing, trying to figure out how to word this, “What’re we going to do about Justin?”  

She sighed. “I told my mother about it while I was talking to Macy and she said she’d handle it. I don’t know what that means but I just have to trust her.” I nodded, showing my understanding. “And I like the sound of that. ‘We.’ I hope that never changes.” She leaned into me and smiled  into my chest, a feeling I missed so dearly. My own smile grew wider  along with hers as I  held her to me. Once we quieted she looked back up at me and gave me the warmest smile I’d ever seen. Her eyes still red and puffy from crying, somehow seemed joyful now. Her hair strained against her ponytail, I assumed she had straightened it last night but it had weathered and started to gain its curl back. Some strands fell against her face, which I swiped back individually. 

“You’re so beautiful my dear.” I whispered. 

She weakly smiled, “I don't feel it, You should hate me.” 

“I could never hate you. You are easily the most stunning person I’ve seen.  I love you, and  I’ve never had that be more truthful than it is now.” I said sincerely. Even if I sounded corny I couldn't help it, It was true. 

“Nothing compares to you though. I love you more than the moon loves the earth.” She said with such a serious face. 

We smiled at eachother and our lips gravitated together. It was a soft one, lazy even. Not needing to prove anything, not needy, just displaying our affection through the easiest way possible. 

Once we parted I asked a question that had been on my mind for a while, “Hey, How did you even get here?”

She rolled her eyes, “Oh my god, remember, super rich family? I flew here. How else would I get here so quickly?” 

“Oh yea, I’m sorry I’m still grasping the whole ‘non-broke-college-student’ Thing” I smiled. She smiled back and resumed our previous kissing. We did so late into the night. Not caring about anything but her. I found myself doing that a lot now. 

When we parted again I looked over my shoulder to the conveniently placed clock and found that it was 1:00 AM already. 

Before I could say anything Rynn had already situated herself in my arms, ready for sleep. I smiled and did the same. I was truthfully calm for the first time in my adult life. I grinned to myself as I drifted off.