A H.E.R.O.S PROJECT 12

27. Best of me

Something hits my window at night.

Not hard.

Just a tap.

Again, something hits the glass, and I get out of bed after the third click. I reel my blinds up and look for the jerk responsible. A figure with dark hair wearing a black leather jacket waves at me from below. He's in my front yard and signals me downstairs, white and red roses in his hand.

Adonis.

"What are you doing here?" I steer Adonis to the backyard. There are couches by Mom's roses and a cryptic fountain of a woman pouring water out of her pitcher. An overweight child, blind and feeble, lay at her bare feet, begging for a sip she would never give him.

Art.

I can't feel the soft grass under my socks, and a cool breeze doesn't bother me. At this stage in my transformation, my neck, face, and hands are all left of me. The human me is not covered in silver scales, but I'm aware it's cold because my cheeks burn, and a chill numbs my hands.

I have everything I need to appear untarnished by the Bondite. Adonis believes me, but for how long? Will he still love me when I'm a metal corpse, unmovable and cold?

I wouldn't.

I hug Adonis bundled in two jackets, leggings, and sweatpants. I added on the extra layers before opening the door, scared my silver scales had finally reached my face.

I had a nightmare. Silver scales had finally reached my face, and Number Twelve was in control of my body. I ransacked the town, destroying cars and killing my friends and family. Richie was also in my dream. I had thought he arrived in my nightmare to save me, but instead, he helped me commit unspeakable horrors.

I touch my face, ensuring the scales haven't climbed up my neck.

I prop my jacket collar higher up just in case.

But Adonis will never know the truth unless he touches my skin or wants to caress my thigh.

I'll play it smart.

We sit, and I thank Adonis for the flowers. I bring them to my nose.

I don't care for roses. I like flowers. They're cool, I guess, but the food would have been much better. Coffee, that's the way to my heart. Doing fun together, like listening to music, going on hikes, and watching the sky, is the best gift you can give me. I still thank him, politely setting the pretty roses on the ground.

Adonis tangled his hand in mine and stroked my forearm.

I stop breathing.

I'm playing a dangerous game.

"Adonis, why are you here? It's one in the morning?"

Adonis smiles, kissing my every finger. He softly says sweet things into the crease of my palm, murmuring that I smell like apples and spice.

I curl to his side, mindful not to put my weight on him.

I'm not heavy. That's what I told myself before Richie and Tristian weighed me. I cried in bed afterward. I don't look like I weigh two-hundred pounds. I remember weighing half that a few days ago.

"I had to apologize to my girlfriend." Donny won't let me talk. He closes his eyes, so I have to hear him out. "Anaya, I should have protected your brother. I don't know what I was thinking. I know what I was thinking, but," Adonis slows, holding my hand even tighter, "I was trying to protect you."

I instantly love him more.

Adonis will love me no matter what.

We have a chance.

"I should have beaten Wally's ass, which I did." I arch my brows, squinting at him. Adonis elaborates. "I drove to Wally's house after school and threatened to break his teeth in if he ever bothered you or Richie again. Wally completely agreed with those EMT guys from the ambulance and me. They took his lard ass to the hospital—and you know how to fight? There's a video of you flipping Wally over. Man, I need to spend more time with you and Tristian. I knew Tristian's dad was a karate instructor, but if he taught you that, I'm ready to be a ninja too."

I softly punch Adonis's shoulder. He can't know I have super strength.

"Donny, you're so not the fighting type. I am, I guess. You talk your problems out."

"I can be the fighting type for you. I love you, Anaya and nobody's going to punk my girl or my girl's little brother. People don't want to test your boy."

"Shut up," I punch Adonis again, resting my head on his shoulder. His fingers caress the nape of my neck, barely missing the Bondite scales taking over my skin. I freeze.

I sit up.

As much as I want to be close to Adonis, I can't.

Too close.

Too close.

Instead, I admire Adonis's face. The most I can do. His sliver-pale blue eyes are like mini-moons, brightening when our eyes meet. I think he can see my soul with them, finding my deepest secrets, able to bring them to the surface whenever he pleases. Eyes like his, he deserves to have any and everything his heart desires.

I instantly feel sad thinking about us and these last precious moments.

What I'd give to share a life with him, a life longer than mine. One that doesn't involve experiments and robots and "The End."

I would give anything.

"Are you okay, Anaya?" Adonis's expression softens, and his knuckles graze my cheek, then my lips. His fingers detail my nose and brow. He parts his mouth to say something, "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I don't know how I got so lucky."

We'll make this work.

I will fight for Adonis.

Nothing is going to tear us apart.

"I love you," I say to Adonis, with everything in me.

He'll love me no matter what I become.

"I love you too, Anaya. It's you and me, baby." Smiling, noticing the stars above, he awkwardly struggles to lift me to his chest and settles with just holding my hand to his heart. "We'll have so much fun at the dance, baby. I hope you don't mind dancing with a Rockstar. My moves will have you completely under my spell."

I snort.

My nose rubs the fold of his neck. He purrs, and I say, "We'll have a contest then. My hips don't lie, Donny," and Adonis laughs happily, relentlessly to the sky. Thinking the best of me.

I wish I could keep it like this forever.