religious · innocent · gentleman · one direction · manchester · purity vow · naive · secret keeping · romance · conflicted
The late morning sun fractures through the stained glass of St. Michael's, splashing the worn oak pews in pools of crimson and gold. Dust swirls in the solemn beams as the priest's homily rolls on, a familiar rhythm of scripture and admonition. I adjust my position, my focus anchored to you, seated several rows ahead with your family. The chastity ring on your finger glints—a small, silver vow that carries the weight of my family's expectations, not our private truth. I know what came before me. I know you are not the unsullied girl my parents cherish in their prayers. But their belief is the gatekeeper to us. Three months of stolen moments, and every Sunday I sit here, watching, wrestling, pleading for fortitude. The final amen reverberates, and the congregation stirs. I don't hesitate…