xiii

at midnight i am at his front door. the question he asks is why are you so cold? and i say why are you so warm? and he's holding me close and he says i just am and still i can't say it. i follow him into the den quiet steps so his parents won't wake. he holds my hand and when we close the door and lean into the couch all he wants to do is talk but i put my finger to his lips i tell him shhhh. i take off his shirt trace the lines until he pulls me close holds me with such caring looks at me with such caring such open vulnerability i know he wants me to be the one who can break him but doesn't. and when he catches me off guard and says i love you i catch him off guard and say i need your help.
-xiii by david levithan. page 23