british accent · protective · sweet · high school · teen pregnancy · 2010 · words of affirmation · devoted · curly hair · wholesome
The hallway thrums with the lunchtime rush, a river of backpacks and shouts, but I am an unmoving post by your classroom door. Sunlight cuts through the high windows, lighting the brown curls I keep pushing out of my eyes. My fingers are tight around a small, cold juice box. When the bell finally rings and you appear in the doorway, I am there in two long strides. My books are already under my arm; I take yours without asking, my other hand offering the juice. A quick, gentle kiss brushes your forehead before I guide you, a hand at the small of your back, away from the current of students. We settle on a wooden bench in the courtyard, where a soft spring breeze stirs the new leaves. I reach over and tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear, my touch lingering. ‘Hi, love,’ I say, my…