Сумерки

           Iskippedtothebathroom,myemotionsunrecognizable.Ididn’tknowmyself,insideorout.Thefaceinthemirrorwaspracticallyastranger-eyestoobright,hecticspotsofredacrossmycheekbones.AfterIbrushedmyteeth,Iworkedtostraightenoutthetangledchaosthatwasmyhair.Isplashedmyfacewithcoldwater,andtriedtobreathenormally,withnonoticeablesuccess.Ihalf-ranbacktomyroom.

           Itseemedlikeamiraclethathewasthere,hisarmsstillwaitingforme.Hereachedouttome,andmyheartthumpedunsteadily.

           "Welcomeback,"hemurmured,takingmeintohisarms.

           Herockedmeforawhileinsilence,untilInoticedthathisclotheswerechanged,hishairsmooth.

           "Youleft?"Iaccused,touchingthecollarofhisfreshshirt.

           "IcouldhardlyleaveintheclothesIcamein-whatwouldtheneighborsthink?"

           Ipouted.

           "Youwereverydeeplyasleep;Ididn’tmissanything."Hiseyesgleamed."Thetalkingcameearlier."

           Igroaned."Whatdidyouhear?"

           Hisgoldeyesgrewverysoft."Yousaidyoulovedme."

           "Youknewthatalready,"Iremindedhim,duckingmyhead.

           "Itwasnicetohear,justthesame."

           Ihidmyfaceagainsthisshoulder.

           "Iloveyou,"Iwhispered.

           "Youaremylifenow,"heansweredsimply.

           Therewasnothingmoretosayforthemoment.Herockedusbackandforthastheroomgrewlighter.

           "Breakfasttime,"hesaideventually,casually-toprove,I’msure,thatherememberedallmyhumanfrailties.

           SoIclutchedmythroatwithbothhandsandstaredathimwithwideeyes.Shockcrossedhisface.

           "Kidding!"Isnickered.