“Your eyes were filled with such kindness…and yet fear at the same time when I first saw you after all those years. I had the sudden desire to clear all the fear from them.” My heart thudded uncontrollably from Brent’s words. He laughed, “And it seems like I’m doing a pretty good job.” I smiled and added my laugh in. Then Brent pushed my bang from my face and tucked the ends behind my ear, his touch seeming to electrocute me. He then leaned in close, eyes transfixed to mine. I felt dizzy, being unable to breath. He was so close, I could feel his breath on my face. He smiled, “Yep the fear is gone.”

“Well that’s good.” I whispered. From the close distance I saw light boyish freckles dot across Brent’s nose and cheekbones. The freckles were suddenly surrounded by blush, “So that’s why I wanted to talk to you. Plus…I missed you.”

“You know I could’ve changed in those nine years. Could’ve become like my mother.” I felt my heart darken at the sound of that word.