Abbi

“Abbi?”

Eddus’s eyes opened as he heard the hinge of his bedroom door creak softly as it was opened. Not long before, he’d come to his room, having bid Abbi good night. Lying down, he closed his eyes and, in a few minutes, was just drifting into sleep when he heard a movement.

He watched as his guest, wearing the t-shirt he’d given her to sleep in, quietly entered the bedroom. She pushed the door to its original position, open only enough that a thin beam of light crossed the bedroom floor, due to the light being left on in the hallway, and crossed the small room to the bed.

“Is everything alright, Abbi?”

“Yes,” Abbi spoke quietly.

In the dim light behind her, Eddus could only see her silhouette in the darkness. He said nothing, watching her stand there, not moving. He wondered if he should get up, but hesitated as he wore only a pair of shorts.

Silently, Abbi took a step forward toward the bed, standing just beside it. Lifting the corner of the thin blanket and sheet, she silently climbed in and lay down facing him.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. Eddus didn’t move, still uncertain as to what to do. They lay facing each other in the dark, both only able to make out each other’s features.

“Is this ok?” Abbi reached forward to touch his arm.

“Yes.”

Eddus felt his heart quicken at her touch; the word seemed to catch in his throat. He felt conflicted at his nervousness, being in such close proximity to the young woman beside him.

They’d held hands while walking together. They’d sometimes been closer than he was at all comfortable with, and she had kissed him... twice. In this circumstance, he was even more uneasy. Besides their obvious difference in age, they lay only inches from one another, and each in various states of undress, the thought of which made him feel something akin to panic.

He could feel the heat of the body next to him. He lay pressing his back against the wall in order to give her as much space as he could.

“Are you- is everything alright?” he asked her, holding a breath.

“Everything is fine, Eddus Brandt,” Abbi spoke softly, almost in a whisper. “I just didn’t want to sleep alone in a new place. Are you sure that you are ok with this?”

Upon hearing her speak his name, Eddus exhaled slowly and relaxed, his tension easing. He couldn’t say why, but hearing her say it somehow caused him to relax.

“Yes.”

“Good.” Her amber eyes glowed softly in the darkness for just a moment before she leaned forward, closing them and pressing her lips to his.

Eddus caught his breath again, as all of the nervousness he’d just felt ease quickly returned. He again pressed his back against the wall, his heart racing and his chest tight, making it difficult to breathe.

Abbi kissed him again quickly, then shifted under the blanket, rolling to her other side, turning her back to him. She reached behind her. Finding his hand with hers, she pulled his arm around her at the waist. Pulling him again towards her gently, Abbi leaned back into his chest.

Managing only shallow breaths, Eddus tried to calm himself. He steadied his breathing and tried to think of something other than the small body pressed against his, its owner holding his wrist firmly.

Abbi gave what sounded like a contented sigh. She gently pressed his hand against her side.

A thought occurred to Eddus as he felt her shoulder touch his chest.

“Abbi...”

“Yes, Eddie.”

“Do you really have wings?”

“I do.” Smiling in the darkness, Abbi nodded. Her eyes closed. She pushed her left leg back until her foot met Eddus’ shin. “I will show you sometime.”

Saying nothing, Eddus tried not to tense at her touch as she rubbed her foot against his leg. He closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would come quickly.