“I think I just met the happiest person in the world!” I deadpan, scowling at the man in front of me.

The gentle hum of the radio plays aloud in the bookstore, surrounding us with a rather intimate environment contrasted against the rage of our refudge.

We both want to buy The Great Gatsby. There’s only one copy left.

His deep brown eyes peer into mine, challenging me at my own game. “If yo...

Escape.

Escape.

Escape.

Escape.

My heart is crawling out of my ribs’ firm grasp, trying its hardest to claw through every form of defense.

Don’t move.

Hold your breath.

Wait for permission.

W a i t

f o r

p e r m i s s i o n

“Please,” I beg, pushing my palms to my chest as if to hold myself together.

But the more I try, the more I fall ...

“Do you think the world pushes people together for a reason?” I ask, my fingertip nervously rubbing against the smooth surface of my acrylic nail, my gaze flicking up to catch his reaction.

Hayden tilts his head against the bed frame, a soft sigh escaping him. “I don’t usually think about things like that,” he admits with a sheepish grin, though I already knew that about him.

Hayden has always...