NovelOnlineLeaning against the couch, he could hear Shirley's muffled sobs and feel her trembling fingers on his skin. In all his years, this moment felt like the pinnacle of happiness. Exhaustion was a foreign concept to him now.
For Shirley, any sacrifice seemed worth it.
A deep, aching pain in his chest made him want to cough, but he fought it back with everything he had.
"Shirley," he called out softly.
Shirley looked up at him, her eyes searching his.
His gaze was intense, swirling with unspoken emotions.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFor a moment, she wondered why he was suddenly on a first-nbasis, skipping the more formal address she was used to. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Just... seeing you cry makes everything harder for me," he admitted, and the room fell into a deeper silence.
Shirley had only ever dated Mark before, so decoding someone else's feelings was not her forte.
Despite the obvious signs, she blinked away fresh tears.
"Abner, does it hurt much?" she inquired, concern lacing her voice. The severity of his injuries implied his attackers hadn't held back, aiming to inflict real harm.
"Not at all," he lied smoothly.
He straightened up, hesitated for a moment, and then reached out to cradle her face in his hands. Her cheeks were damp, and despite being older, she seemed more lost than him.
Her tears were for him, her confusion was because of him. The thought filled him with an indescribable joy.
If only tcould stand still right at this moment.
He longed to kiss her but didn't dare to cross that line. Instead, he contented himself with gently wiping the tears from her cheeks. Shirley finally sensed something amiss and turned her head away, sniffling.
"Who did this to you?" she pressed for answers.
"Just sthugs looking for trouble. I've already reported it to the police tonight. That's why I was late.
It's all sorted now, no need to worry.
Oh, and I've got final examsing up soon." Despite the unseasonably warm air, the chilly tension between them was palpable.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShirley stood up, returning the bottle of medicinal alcohol she'd been holding to the shelf and securing the first-aid kit.
"Next tsomething like this happens, callright away." "Shirley, you said you'd never leave me. Is that true? Will you stay by my side at least until I graduate from college?" Abner's voice crack slightly as he broached the subject.
hovels Shirley paused, noticing his informal address. She playfully prodded his forehead. "Watch your manners, young man." But Abner caught her finger in his grasp, looking at her earnestly. "Is it true?" He repeated the question, as if seeking a promise.
But he knew better than to expect promises from Shirley.
Feeling his warm grip, Shirley tried to pull her hand back, feeling suddenly claustrophobic.
Abner's gaze dropped, and his eyes quickly reddened.
"So, you were lying to me, weren't you?" he whispered, tears welling up.
Seeing his distress, Shirley rushed to reassure him. "I wasn't lying. You know my family's going through sstuff, but whatever happens, my word to you stands." Relief washed over Abner, and he cracked a small smile.
Retreating to his room, he touched the spot on his chest where Shirley's tears had fallen. Grinning, he threw himself onto his bed, burying his face in the pillow as he chuckled softly. The purity and intensity of a young boy's affection knew no bounds.
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