Free We Awaken by Calista Lynne

eyes blurred. Ashlinn finally softened and pulled me into a hug so I could rest my chin on her shoulder and thoroughly soak the bathrobe.
    “I hate being alone too,” she told me, “but I can’t let you hurt yourself. Not for me. It just isn’t worth it. Look, I promise to try and help you work out the asexuality, because it really isn’t bad, if you promise to take care of yourself.”
    I nodded as best I could in my position and choked out a “Yes, of course.” I was wary, but now she wouldn’t leave immediately. I had an idea and figured it was time to grow some courage and voice it.
    “Will you stay for a while? My mother is away for three days, and even when she does come back, I’m sure we’ll be able to figure something out.”
    She seemed to mull this over, but her arms anchored me in place the whole time so I didn’t become anxious.
    “I’ll stay for a bit. Someone’s got to find a way to get you to that audition, anyway.”
    Elation is a troublesome thing. Impossible to describe but always explosive when felt. Of course I didn’t actually believe what she said about the auditions. It was an impossibility, but instead of being saddened at her bringing it up, I just held her tighter. We stood there in each other’s arms against the bathroom wall for a time, and soon the moonbeams would be replaced with morning sun.
    “Come on,” I told her, finally stepping back, “let me make you some tea. We can talk downstairs.” I led her to the first floor, her hand in mine, the drugs abandoned forever on the floor.

Seven
     
     
    NOT WANTING to lie in bed endlessly in the middle of the night had made me adept at the brewing of loose teas. For the past several months, I crept downstairs when the nightmares got too bad and distracted myself with warm beverages. Therefore, my actions were habitual and I didn’t need to pay attention to my hands when making it for Ashlinn. The scent of vanilla wafted from the tin of tea leaves and permeated the air, adding another layer of calm to the situation, and I almost started wondering if I were dreaming again.
    Looking across the kitchen at Ashlinn obliterated that thought, though. It was the first time I’d ever seen her in somewhat adequate lighting, and I couldn’t stop staring, which was a good alternative to watching the tea. Her hair was barely darker than her skin, and its shortness just made her face’s pointed structure even more apparent. Sharp angles dictated her whole bone structure, with prominent collarbones and knees.
    She is a real girl breathing air in my kitchen with her bare feet on my tile floor and her arms in my robe’s sleeve s .
    The kettle began whistling weakly, and before the sound could become piercing, I removed it from the heat and poured the water into a ceramic pot with the tea leaves inside. I then carried it out into the dining room and yelled behind me that she should grab some spoons and cups. Judging by the opening and shutting of cabinets, she figured out where everything was.
    I poured the tea without looking at her, then stirred in one spoonful of sugar each. After closing my eyes for a few seconds to smell the tea and regroup, I looked up and asked, “Why did you never tell me this was a possibility?”
    She just shrugged as she grabbed her china cup.
    “Didn’t want to get either of our hopes up, I suppose. I’m sure I would have told you eventually. It’s not like I expected to take human form today.”
    “So you are human? You sleep and have lungs and everything?”
    “This body is built in the same fashion as yours. I’m assuming it will tire.” She paused to take a sip. “I don’t recall ever having slept before, so that will be different. Speaking of things I’ve never done, this tea is remarkable.”
    It was actually too strong, as usual, but I grinned into my cup.
    “You’ve never had tea before?”
    “Well, I’ve never eaten or drunk anything real. Never had the need to. There are many things I’ve