Existence by Abbi Glines

The cold is not meant for you yet you stay, you stay, you stay. When I know it’s not right for you.
    The blackness is my shield. I pull it closer still.
    You’re the light that I hide from, the light that I hate.
    You’re the light to this darkness and I can’t let you stay.
    I need the dark around me like I need the ice in my veins.
    The cold is my healer. The cold is my safe place. You aren’t welcome with your heat you don’t belong beside me.
    I hate you yet I love, I don’t want you yet I need you.
    The dark will always be my cloak and you are the threat to unveil my pain, so leave. Leave and erase the memories.
    I need to face the life that’s meant for me. Don’t stay and ruin all my plans.
    You can’t have my soul I’m not a man.
    The empty vessel I dwell in is not meant to feel the heat you bring. I push you away and I push you away.
    Yet you stay.”

    76

    Existence

    * * * *
    The sound of my mother’s off-key singing and the smell of bacon woke me up. I stretched and squinted against the brightness of the late morning sun. Last night slowly came back to me and I sat up in bed and looked toward the now empty chair. I glanced around the room and realized I was alone. Had he left me? I’d trusted him to keep me safe. I got up, needing to open the door and be near my mother. Being alone wasn’t on my ‘to do’ list. I turned back and noticed his guitar stood in the corner and a small amount of comfort returned, knowing a part of him was here. However, a guitar was not him, so I rushed downstairs.
    “Well, good morning, Glory,” my mother said from the stove. She put a piece of bacon on top of a paper towel-lined plate.
    “Morning,” I said in a voice raspy from the deep sleep I’d been in. The clearing of a male throat startled me and I turned to see Dank sitting on the couch watching me.
    “You thought I left. I said I wouldn’t,” he said with a smile. I let out a sigh of relief and smiled weakly.
    “Here, honey, go ahead and get you a pancake before they get cold and take some bacon. The coffee is fresh if you want some.” She chuckled. “You look as if you need a pick me up.” I smiled and went to fix myself a plate. “It smells good,” Dank said from his spot on the couch. I frowned, worrying about him not being able to eat.
    He chuckled. “It’s okay, Pagan, I don’t need food. It’s a perk.” I poured a cup of coffee and spooned sugar and milk into it before heading to the table. “You look like you slept well,” he said, taking in my appearance. I blushed thinking of my unbrushed hair, which I hadn’t fixed due to the hasty escape from my empty bedroom. “Don’t even think of brushing it. I like it, it’s sexy.” I rolled my eyes and sank down into the chair, and took a bite.
    “So, what are your plans this morning, Sunshine?” Mom 77

    Existence
    asked from the kitchen. I glanced over at her as she was fixing her plate.
    “Um, I’m going shopping for a dress for the Homecoming Dance with Miranda, Wyatt, and Leif.” Dank chuckled. “So, Leif’s wearing a dress?” I glared at him and then turned to my mom as she sat down at the table across from me.
    “Oh, so Leif asked you to the dance? That’s exciting. You can take the visa card with you. Just make sure you don’t get anything red or yellow. Those colors aren’t good with your complexion.” I nodded and took another bite.
    “Blue, soft blue,” Dank said quietly as if he was thinking about it rather than saying it. I kept my eyes on my food.
    “I have a date with the computer today. My newest manuscript is almost finished. I’m excited about this one more so than I have been about any others.” Her voice had taken on the chipper tone it only had when she spoke of her writing.
    “Or better yet, a really pale pink,” Dank said and I stiffened. His words felt like a caress and it was taking all my strength to keep from shivering. He chuckled, and then stood up and walked toward the door. I wanted to