Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 253

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Secrets of Us: A Forbidden Love Romance

Chapter 253

I scroll through the photos on my phone slowly. I can't help the feelings that ignite

in my stomach just by looking at a picture of

him.

I brush my thumb over his lips, thinking about kissing him. Thinking about his breath across my skin.

I keep scrolling, photo after photo blinks up at me. Me and Zaid smiling in front of the lake, him asleep on the couch after one of our movie nights.

He was extremely supportive of me taking as many pictures as I wanted during that last week he had together. He joked that it would make him more secure with the fact that I wouldn't forget him

As if I could ever forget him.

I have a lot of closeups of just him, too. His dark hair a mess, his sleepy smile soft and real. I trace his face with my fingertip and feel the ache settle low in my chest.

The video call ringtone chimes, and I swipe to answer it just as my stomach flutters with nerves. Cami's face appears on the screen, her new electric blue hair wild around her face.

I can't help but smile. "I love the new look."

She grins and flips a piece of it over her shoulder. "Thanks, babe. I've been wanting blue hair since I was like ten, thought it was

time for me to try it out."

"Well, it looks really good," I smile.

She looks me over. "I appreciate the compliment, but you look good, too. So much

more

peaceful."

me off guard in the best way. I press

feel it," I tell

her head, taking a

where I can appreciate where I am even when I'm missing home so much it feels like I can't breathe. I'm definitely learning a

into something proud. "That's

Italy one hundred days now. I've read one hundred of Zaid's letters, each

slightly as she adjusts, then

talk about. "It's been hard," I admit, tucking a loose piece of hair behind my ear. "There are days where I just stare at the canvas

laughs a little.

proud. The pieces I've finished, I'm proud of them. I

Want

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Chapter 253

it. I want it to be a surprise. I'll show

can agree to that." She smiled, but then her voice drops a little, the way it always does when

go still for a moment, twisting my fingers together in my lap. I breathe in slowly,

like a leaf floating

tells me it's my fault. That they would still be here if I

speaks gently. "It probably always will be, but that doesn't mean

I whisper. I pull in another slow breath, just like

mimicking my breathing, so

not

alone.

comes up, I acknowledge it, name it, guilt, sadness, regret, and then I remind myself: thoughts are not facts. I

at me,

would rather look down at me and see me living. Really living. Not stuck. Not punishing myself over something that could

"That's good, Alina. Really good. All we can

times

a little mischievous. "And how's a certain