The Recall Trials
Chapter 101: Will You Be My Girlfriend?

Chapter 101: Will You Be My Girlfriend?

The guards began handing out plates.

People scrambled forward, desperate for food.

Zaara guided me, pressing herself close to my side. She kept one hand hooked around my elbow.

We sat. I stared down at my tray: a steaming bowl of chicken soup, a scoop of white rice, a piece of flatbread, and a small wedge of pineapple. My fingers were shaking as I picked up the spoon.

Silence reigned, broken only by the scrape of utensils.

After a few minutes, Zaara reached over, brushing the side of my hand.

"Eat, Vincent," she urged gently. "Your body needs it."

I forced myself to swallow a spoonful. I can’t believe it’s be 48 hours and I haven’t eaten anything.

After dinner, the guards picked up the plates. People whispered into each other’s shoulders. A few curled up under thin blankets.

Zaara grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the locker area, away from the others. The metallic door creaked shut behind us.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The room was dim, lit only by a single overhead light casting shadows on the rows of lockers.

Zaara finally pressed her head in my legs.

"Vincent... we could die tomorrow."

I swallowed hard. "I know."

She closed the gap between us, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"But right now... we’re alive."

Her forehead rested against mine. Her breath smelled faintly of the pineapple from dinner. She reached for my hands and threaded her fingers through mine, squeezing them tight.

"Zaara... do you ever think about what would happen... after this?"

She blinked. "After...? You mean if we survive?"

"If we survive," I said, "I want... I want us to have a life."

Her lips parted.

"I keep imagining you and me... in an apartment somewhere," I said, my voice trembling.

I glanced at her, needing to see her reaction. "Somewhere with big windows and lots of light. I’d learn how to make you coffee exactly how you like it, even if it takes a million tries. I’d cook for you. I’d come home and find you curled up on the couch, reading, and I’d just... know you’re safe."

Zaara stared at me.

"I’d take care of you," I said. "I’d... I’d want to marry you, Zaara. The second we get out of here, I’d buy a ring, right away. I’d get down on my knees in the middle of the street if I have to. I wouldn’t wait another day."

Her breath hitched as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Vincent..."

I squeezed her hands. "I’m serious. I want you. I want all of this.....the boring days, the stupid arguments, waking up next to you every morning. I’d be the luckiest man alive."

Zaara let out a trembling laugh, she couldn’t control the tears now. "Vincent... stop!"

My voice cracked. "Zaara... will you... will you be my girlfriend?"

She gave a watery laugh. "Seriously? You’re asking me to be your girlfriend... while we’re hiding in a locker room... in a murder arena?"

I swallowed. "I don’t want to wait until this is over to say it. I don’t care if we’re in the middle of hell. I love you, Zaara."

She stared at me, breathless, then suddenly lunged forward and kissed me.

Her lips were warm and wet with tears. I kissed her back, I ran my hand in her hair.

When we finally pulled apart, she pressed her forehead against mine, panting.

"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, Vincent. I’ll be your girlfriend. And when we get out... you’d better buy the biggest damn ring you can find."

I choked out a laugh. "Deal."

Zaara wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me so tight I thought I might break.

She pulled back just enough to look at me.

"You mean it?" she murmured. "About... everything? Marriage? A home? All of it?"

"I mean every word," I said.

Her lips wobbled as she tried to smile.

She traced a finger over my abs. "I’d want a cat. Or maybe a dog. One that’s fluffy and small enough for me to carry around like a baby."

"Deal," I whispered. "We’ll get a tiny fluffy dog. Or ten. And we’ll make a baby too."

"Yayyy," she shook her legs.

"Vincent..." She whispered. "Promise me... if something happens to me tomorrow... you’ll keep going. You’ll survive."

"Don’t. Don’t talk like that."

"Promise me."

I grabbed her face between my hands. "No. You promise me. We’re getting out together. I’m not doing any of this future shit without you."

She blinked, tears spilling faster. "I want that so much, Vincent. I want... us. I want to be yours."

"You already are."

And then I kissed her again.

Her hands fisted in the front of my shirt. My fingers slipped under her jumpsuit collar, feeling the hot, smooth skin of her neck and shoulders. She let out a soft gasp, pressing closer until there was no space left between us.

When we finally pulled back, both of us were breathing hard.

Zaara rested her forehead against mine. "If this was the real world... I’d take you home right now."

I swallowed, my pulse hammering. "Yeah?"

She nodded. "I’d make you lie on my couch. I’d make you let me take care of you for once."

I couldn’t stop my grin. "You’d boss me around?"

Her eyes glittered. "Obviously."

I kissed the tip of her nose. "I’d let you."

Another tear escaped down her cheek. I kissed it away.

We stayed like that for a long time, arms wrapped around each other, trading quiet kisses. Sometimes she cried silently, and I just held her tighter. Sometimes I did.

Eventually, Zaara pulled back, wiping her eyes with her hand. "Come on. We should try to sleep. Even if it’s just a few hours."

I nodded.

We left the locker room together. The lights in the main chamber had dimmed. Most people were askeep already.

Zaara led me to my bunk. She didn’t let go of my hand the entire way.

"Vincent," she murmured, leaning in close, "I’m not leaving you alone tonight."

I didn’t protest. I didn’t want to be alone either.

We climbed onto the narrow bed, awkwardly shifting to fit side by side. She pressed her back against my chest, pulling my arm over her waist.

I buried my face into the curve of her neck. "I meant every word. About us. About the future."

She reached behind her, fingertips brushing my cheek. "I know."

Her breathing started to slow. I listened to it, letting the rhythm ground me.

I closed my eyes, holding her tighter.

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