When Stars Burn Out

by Carrie Aarons

Because when he touches me, there is no better feeling in the entire world. Because I’m the moth and he’s the flame. And the thing is, I know he wouldn’t even notice if I burned completely.

right now, the only woman who I want to get to know more, who I could possibly love, is you. I’m not playing around. It’s like I saw you and a switch flipped.”

“I want to kiss you right now. Believe me, there is nothing I want more. But I’m not going to. When I kiss you for the first time, in a long time, I want you to give me permission. I want you to be completely sure, to make the call. So, Demi, can I kiss you?”

“You’re too good at this.” I murmur. “What’s that?” His lips meet my ear. “Making me fall.”

It took me a long time to set my priorities straight. And they’re set straight on you. I didn’t realize you were the one who got away until it was too damn late.”

“It is the exact formation of stars in the night sky on the day that I walked into your office a few months ago. I found it through a company who makes these for any date you have in mind. I wanted to commemorate it, the first time I saw you again and knew what I’d been struggling through all those years for. And you said to me that first week, that all of the children you worked with reminded you of stars who might lose their shine here on earth, but they were watching us from above. I like to think that all those burnt out stars in the sky that day led me straight to you.”

You’re my moon and stars now; I don’t breathe, I don’t function without you, baby. My whole world is black if you’re not in it.”