What Happens After Midnight

by K.L. Walther

“I feel like a flaming pile of fucking shit.”

“Blair isn’t a girlfriend, Lily. Blair is a Band-Aid.” He paused. “Well, more like a box of Band-Aids.”

“Oh my god, I hate you,”

“I don’t believe you,”

“What about you?” I asked. “What scares you?” “Never talking to you again,” he answered.

my legs went weak when a slice of bare skin was exposed, that swimmer’s six-pack.

“Use your magic words,” I singsonged. “Onward, please!” “Oh, right away.” I fumbled with the gearshift like the fool in a fifties movie. “Right away!” And then we laughed as I pressed down on the gas.

Nothing about being the Jester seemed worth it if you couldn’t be my partner in crime.”

“What could be better,” he said, “than spending my entire afternoon seeing some strange foreign film…” His fingertips fiddled with the shirt’s cuff, so close to my bare wrist. Something began building up in my chest, as if water were filling my lungs. “With approximately four senior citizens and my one and only—”

“I’m here. I promise I’m here. Yes, I hid for a while, but I’m not lost. I’m found, and I’ve always been his.

“God, I hate you,” I said, laughing. Alex shook his head. “I don’t believe you.” “Why not?” I asked. “Because,” he said, “you’ve got Tag’s favorite smile on your face.”

“I’m not pretending,” I said. “I know everything has changed, but at the same time, nothing has—at least for me.” I swallowed hard. “I’m in love with you, Tag. Truly and totally and still falling in love with you.”

“I’m in love with you too. I love you and only you, Hopscotch. You’re it. No matter what’s happened…”

“You’ve always been the one.”

“I didn’t want or need anyone; I wanted, needed, and burned for you.” Tag gave me a look. “Did you just quote Bridgerton?” I gave him a look back. “Did you just admit to watching Bridgerton?” He flushed. “You know Alex controls the remote.”