looking at the present, the future doesn’t seem so promising. I know what’s going on, one man turning his country into a graveyard and turning children into soldiers. Children massacring their fellow students. Greediness slowly sinking us into a black hole. I’m not blind, Gideon. I can see it. I know the world is full of unthinkable evil, but that’s not all the world is.
“There are moments when nations come together to help others in need. One man stands and fights for what he believes in and makes a change. The world may be filled with evil people, but it’s also filled with good people.” My voice shook with each word. “I love you so much, and it’s clouding my judgment. I don’t know why you’re the way you are. But I know I didn’t fall in love with the Gideon people fear. I fell in love with the Gideon you are. The one you cared enough to show me.”
“Abby, you—”
I cut him off. “Yes, I love you that much, Gideon. More than my life, and I don’t want you to leave.” I braced myself for the goodbye and looked him firmly in the eyes. “But if you do, we are done.”
I didn’t want Gideon to leave, but I couldn’t stay with him if innocent people were going to keep getting hurt.
“If you leave, we are done,” I said again, standing my ground. The words scared me more than Gideon’s angry face did. “I know you can’t change in a day, but you’ll have to try.”
“Abigail, I can’t,” Gideon said. He was frozen where he stood.
“Yes, you can,” I assured him, hiding my fears and taking one step forward. “I know that it’s hard, but I swear, Gideon, if you leave now, we’re done.” I tried to sound brave.
“Fine,” Gideon said and took a step toward the door.
“I mean it, Gideon!” I shouted, and he turned around. “You take one more step, and it will be like you never existed.” I took one more step toward him. “I can help you change, one step at a time,” I promised.
I waited for Gideon to say something, but he didn’t. He just stood there staring at me. I was scared. What if he left and everything fell apart? Why would he want to leave? Didn’t he love me enough to stay and at least try? I couldn’t take the silence anymore. “If you’re going to leave, please do it now,” I whispered, closing the distance between us. “Just don’t stand there making me wish for the impossible.”
“You said if I took another step I’d lose you forever.”
“You’re staying?” I rejoiced, my grief turning into happiness.
“You are my everything, Abigail.” he pulled me toward him. “If I lose you, I lose everything.”
“I love you so much.” I said happily and looked up at him. Gideon’s happy face turned a little sad, and I remembered what Valoel said. She had told me that Gideon didn’t think he deserved to be loved, especially not by me.
“I love you,” I said, looking straight into his eyes. “I know you don’t believe me, but you have to take my word for it.”
Gideon stroked my hair behind my ear. “I don’t get it, Abigail. How can you love someone like me?” he whispered dejectedly. “I don’t deserve it. I’ve done horrible things to innocent people and—”
I put my hand over his mouth. “Gideon, I love you because you admit your wrongs. I love you because you allowed me to see that part of you that you hide. I love you because you are willing to change for me. I love you because you love me for me. And I’d do anything to make you believe that.”
“I must be the luckiest guy in the universe.” When I saw the smile stretch across his face, I felt like I fought a war and won.
WHITE SATIN
“Before love grew claws and horns,
it used to have to have a halo.”
Melody Manful
I woke up the next morning in Gideon’s arms. When I left for the bathroom and came back, he was gone. Gideon hadn’t left, though, he had just gone and knocked on the front door instead, and when Ben let him in, he asked if he could drive me to school. I almost asked him where he got a car, but I didn’t because I already knew the answer—he made one appear.
After school that day, Gideon and I left for Grands.
An hour later, Gideon left with Valoel and Tristan. Once again, Gideon told