The Recall Trials
Chapter 34: The Only Place I Feel Safe

Chapter 34: The Only Place I Feel Safe

"Earth to Vincent," Zaara said, waving her hand slightly in front of my face. "Are you okay?"

I blinked, like I’d just come out of a trance. Her voice was soft, but her eyes were locked on mine, searching, worried. She stepped closer and rested the back of her hand on my forehead.

"Are you sure you’re fine? You’re burning up," she asked, raising her brows.

My chest tightened.

I couldn’t stop my mind from racing...Nomi’s words, her touch, the way she looked at me like I belonged to her. I felt sick. Disgusted. And worse guilty. So technically, it was Nomi

I shared that vulnerable connection with last night. Not Zaara. Technically, I’d let her in.

God... if Zaara finds out, she’s going to hate me.

Zaara stepped directly in front of me now, blocking my view. "You’re sweating like crazy. What happened? Is it because of what happened to Charles?"

I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand, nervously. "I... it’s nothing," I mumbled.

She narrowed her eyes. "Don’t lie to me. You look like someone just poured boiling water over your nerves."

"Zaara, I’m fine," I said quickly. "Really. But thank you for... for caring."

I just looked at her, and gave a soft smile.

I turned away, hoping she’d let me go. "I just need to use the restroom."

She shrugged. "People are still inside. No stall’s free. That’s why I’m still out here."

Oh," I said awkwardly, glancing down the hallway.

She pointed toward the nearby bench. "We can sit over there while we wait."

I followed her and sat down. It was quiet. Uncomfortably quiet. I couldn’t look her in the eyes.

After a moment, I scratched the back of my head and finally said it. "I actually thought you hated me after what happened yesterday."

Zaara turned her head sharply... then burst into a laugh.

"What?" I asked.

"Why would I be mad at you?" she said, shaking her head like the thought was absurd. "I understand if you don’t feel the same way. It’s your choice, Vincent. I wouldn’t blame you for walking away if you’re not comfortable with me."

She thought I didn’t care.

My heart ached in my chest. I turned to her, fully this time. "Zaara, the thing is... I’m most comfortable when I’m with you. I didn’t leave because I wanted to. I’d never leave you."

She looked up. "Then why’d you go?"

I exhaled hard, like I’d been holding it in forever. "Because I’m scared."

She tilted her head slightly, confused. "Scared? Of what? Me?" Then she grinned. "I’m not even that scary-looking."

I laughed a real one this time. My chest still felt tight, but something about her made it bearable.

"No, Zaara," I said. "I’m scared... because I might like you too much. I’m scared that if I let myself fall, I won’t know how to stop. And worse...I’m scared of losing you."

Her gaze softened as she looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "Vincent..."

"There’s just something about you," I murmured. "Something I can’t explain... something that gets under my skin and calms all the noise. You make me feel like... maybe this place hasn’t completely killed me yet."

She didn’t say anything. Instead, she leaned forward and hugged me. Her head rested on my chest, and for a moment, the world outside faded.

I could smell her hair. Her hair smelled like vanilla and something soft I couldn’t name, and my stupid mind went back to the moment we shared yesterday. To how sweet she tasted, how badly I wanted her.

My brain spun with flashes...our connection and then, just as fast, it all twisted. The memory of her giggling and having fun with Theo burned through the comfort.

I pulled away from the hug, my chest tightened.

"Why’d you go to Theo after what happened between us yesterday?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She blinked, raising her brows like she was confused, "What?"

"I know I probably came off like a jerk," I admitted. "But seriously, Zaara? After everything... what were you doing with him? Theo? You knew how I felt. You knew. And still, you went to him?"

Her face fell.

"You walked away from me," she said. "You pulled away. You left. I thought... I thought you didn’t want me. So I let it go."

I looked away, but she wasn’t done.

"And besides," she continued, "what exactly do you think happened between me and Theo?"

I didn’t answer.

We stood there in the dim hallway, two bruised hearts trying not to bleed all over each other.

She let out a breath. "I was literally about to tell you. He came to me. He apologized for everything....for the way he acted, the things he said. I forgave him. I don’t hold on to hate."

I stayed quiet.

"That’s how I live, Vincent," she said. "I forgive people. Even if they don’t deserve it, sometimes. That doesn’t mean I want them. It doesn’t mean I stopped thinking about you."

I swallowed hard, not sure what to feel. Guilt? Relief? Shame?

Neither of us spoke. Like one wrong word could shatter everything. Zaara shifted, taking a step like she was about to leave. Like maybe this was too much.

But I couldn’t let her walk away...:not like that.

Without thinking, I reached out, and gently grabbed her wrist. She froze. My hands went to her waist as I pulled her closer. Our bodies were only inches apart. I could feel the heat coming off her skin, her breath brushing against my lips and suddenly, I kissed her.

It wasn’t soft.

It was everything I’d held back. Every fear. Every craving. Every moment I thought I’d lost her... I poured into that one kiss.

She didn’t pull away. Her hands found my shoulders, then my neck. She melted into me like she’d been holding back too.

It felt like the world stopped.

Until we heard the clunk of a bathroom stall unlocking.

We broke apart in a panic, our faces flushed, our hearts pounding.

A throat cleared behind us. "Ahemm..."