Chapter 1
Alan nodded sleepily, his eyes half closed as Morgan's small frame rested next to his, the sun silhouetting them onto the grass below in the shape of a still butterfly; the trees providing ample shade, their gentle rustle an aural tonic. The bench they sat on, though old and rustic, sturdily held the two as their hearts and minds fell into a steady rhythm, matching the other.
"Hey, you okay?"
Her gentle words brushed his ear ever so lightly, lifting him from his daze. He found himself swivelling slowly to face her, his hands moving to sandwich hers. The warmth of his touch made her heart swell ever so slightly and with her free hand, she moved to lightly muss up his already tousled hair.
He smiled, his cheeks rising, his eyes closed, and his feet brushing up against hers. They had both taken off their shoes, the heat rising not only outside, but between the two paramours.
It had been a year since they had seen each other, far too long - both preoccupied in their respective worlds. Texas had drained Alan down to his boots hunting snakes and Morgan had gotten fed up with her inability to see any of her guy friends in New York, or in the world, for that matter. But in that moment, all they could think about was how terribly they had missed each other, and how there was no fuller feeling than having someone wonderful next to you, there for you.
Their relationship had began as a joke among friends they made at a summer program located at Brown University - "Amor," they called it, letting the ship sail off on its maiden voyage. But it wasn't a joke to either of the two involved, both harboring a curious attraction to the other, and for Alan, to her feet.
They had remained close friends over Snapchat ever since their short-lived time together at camp had ended, that is, until they had agreed to try a long-distance relationship - and hey, who knew? Both had hoped it would turn into something more.
Morgan got up from her seat, straightening out her hoodie before reaching a hand out to Alan, motioning for him to get up. He took her hand into his, rose from his seat, and interlaced his fingers with hers. Finally pulling his gaze away from her, he turned slightly to his left, now looking towards the Ratty, where kids were beginning to gather for dinner.
"Remember when we went here?"
"Yeah. Seemed like ages ago."
"That's because it was."
"Oh, shut up."
She hushed him with a quick squeeze of his hand, and began to head towards the street with him in tow.
They walked in silence for awhile, the light breeze picking up as the sun hit the horizon and its soft golden beams ricocheted into the darkening blue sky. They turned to walk along Thayer Street, glancing at the multitude of shops lining the busying avenue. They didn't look at each other very often, but no words were needed to be shared.
A light squeeze of their clasped hands was enough. They continued to stroll down the dimly lit street hand in hand, their walk a steady pitter-patter on the brick-lain sidewalk.
The door to their right swung open, and two familiar faces strolled out right in front of the couple.
"Paris? Chásé?"
"Oh my god!"
The four gave each other warm embraces, their voices filling the street with vocal elation.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing! A-a-and are you two a couple now?"
Morgan and Alan looked at each other, grins slowly spreading to their cheeks.
"Oh boy, we've got a lot to talk about."