Seligman was considered the beginning of Route 66. Abby was eager to explore the city so we visited the significant places, took notes—she did—and finally dropped at a pancake shop to have breakfast. I stuffed my stomach as much as possible. I felt so energetic after sleeping beside her last night. She was my fuel.

"I don't want this to end," she suddenly said as she took a sip from her filter coffee.

"What?" I asked, the sides of my lips tilting up. "This road trip or us?"

The sudden blush washed over her face at my unexpected question. She took her time before she answered, "Both. It's just strange." She met my eyes smilingly. "I'm looking forward to college life but I don't want to think about the departure."

Rolling my eyes, I covered my hand over hers. "Isn't this too bitter in the morning?"

"What?" She replied, mimicking me. "Coffee or topic?"

"Both."

When we realized we'd just repeated the same conversation, we looked at each other in shock and laughter kicked in soon after. I could relate to what she meant, but seriously, I wanted to push those evil thoughts away as far as I could, in fact, until I had to face the reality once we returned and I had to see her leave. For now, she was with me, and that needed to suffice.

The road directed us to Grand Canyon Caverns first. These beautiful caverns were illuminated by colorful lights and the sound of dripping water accompanied us as we walked around this natural beauty. Our footsteps echoed against the ground, for the place was silent and peaceful. The peace that induced within me lingered even after we were out of the caverns.

In Valentine, Abby insisted that we should visit the wild safari center again. When she held my gaze, my hand and finally my heart, I couldn't find it in me to resist her. If she asked something absurd, I'd even be okay with it and it scared me a lot. Love was a weird thing. I sometimes felt like we were on board together but sometimes alone.

Though I first asked if this was a drive-thru safari again. Knowing the first one didn't end well for me, it was essential to know. An amused grin spread over her lips before she shook her head no. "They can't come reach us," she explained. "And I'm with you. Don't fret."

After we purchased two tickets, we entered into the place and got on the safari car. Abby's excitement was written all over her face and her smile was contagious. Our guide started talking once we started moving. There were two more safari cars with us, full of people. "We want to offer you a challenge," she said. "Water gun fight!" Everyone started yelling in unison but I wasn't sure about that. I was already nervous about the animals and now, I was going to get wet, too. I met Abby's gaze in hesitance, but she looked quite thrilled by the idea.

Soon, the water guns were distributed and water supply for each two people. Our aim was to wet the people in other cars, and the guides were going to watch us all and select the winning car. They promised small gifts for everyone in the winning car. "This is gonna be fun," Abby said once the guide woman told us to be careful and ready. "Fill your gun."

"This is unnecessary," I replied. "They derive the focus from animals to this activity."

"Is George Shaw afraid?"

I threw her a look, and as I was about to say no way, someone water-shot me in the eyes. "Fuck," I whispered, wiping off my face. By the time I could regain my sight, the war had already started. Abby was aiming for other people, laughing, and yelling. I first leaned closer to her and made room for myself to get a better shot. "I was planning to take some photos," I yelled, splashing water over a kid. "But it looks impossible now."

"Live a little," Abby said, turning at me briefly before she water-shot a guy. Our clothes were wet by now but Abby looked so excited and lively with her loud chuckles echoing in my mind.

"Right?" I said, my mind lighting up with a new mischievous idea. Slowly scooting away from her, I splashed water all over her. Her reaction was priceless. Turning around, she looked at me in disbelief, jolted awake by the water pouring down her body. "I'm living it."

"You traitor," she yelled, aiming for me. Soon, it turned a water fight between us. We totally forgot the rest, splashing each other with a sudden urge to win. Abby's face was full of anger, ambition and the shock washed over me when she decided to pour down the whole water supply on me. That gained attention, too, by the guide and she looked at us in disbelief.

I was shivering with the cold water dripping down my head, but I was heated up with this challenge that I quickly grabbed someone's water supply in spite of mind blown glances and poured it back on her. We were dripping wet now, in a tragically funny way. Her clothes were see-through now, making it hard to keep my gaze away.

We both stared at each other in incredulity for a while. I tried to gain my body temperature back as well as trying to understand when we came this far. The guide gave up on us a while ago, encouraging the rest to keep the motivation. When I looked back at Abby, I started laughing this time, at her wet kitten self. Then, we halted to visit some animals and everyone hoped off the car.

"You're crazy, Shaw," she said laughingly as we lagged behind in the crowd. I looked at her, and wish I hadn't, because if she looked attractive then, she was irresistible now. I was already dying to keep my hormones at bay and I just shot myself in the leg by this idea. I could see her underwear—but I tried not to. But I failed. How could I look away?

"Yes," I breathed hastily.

"You okay?" She asked, but I could tell she knew what was going on and she liked to tease me—it was indeed her purpose. When I met her gaze, I noticed, beneath her innocent voice, a hidden daring message was carved in her eyes. She loved seeing me suffer but today, I was in my challenge mood and if she pushed me and thought I would hold back, it wasn't going to happen.

"Yes," I said, more confidently and much louder this time. As I wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her against me, so unpredictably that she bumped against my chest, and dipped my head down until our faces were so close. Her rapid breaths fanned my face as I said, "Crazy for you." She lifted her eyes like a deer in terror, and I didn't feel less than a lion waiting in his den. Though it must have been one of the most difficult moments in my life, missing this opportunity as she stood this close, willing, I suddenly pulled back and shoved my hands in my pockets, following the crowd.

When I looked back, I found her still standing there, bewildered. Then, she quickly caught up with me, covering her torso with her arms. "That was mean," she muttered, focused on the ground. My answer came in the form of another chuckle and she dropped the subject with a loud huff.

In this place, most animals were behind fences so I felt safer. I knew it was cruel to keep animals inside those fences, not allowing them to have their space. If I could, I'd prefer them released but I wouldn't go for this safari either. I was afraid of animals—this didn't mean I disliked them. I was just not brave enough to touch or get near to them.

"George," Abby cooed in front of a zebra. "Do you see this beautiful thing? Oh gosh, I want to touch her!"

"These animals are wild," I explained softly, terrorized that she might try to stuck her hand through the fences and indeed touch the animal. What if she got bitten or something? Before she could do so, I grabbed her arm and softly pulled her back. "Be careful."

"Zebras are harmless," she replied, her features suddenly softening as well, when she saw my terrified expression. "Let's do it together." I shook my head no with a nervous laugh. "I'm with you, George," she said encouragingly, taking my hand, and squeezing firmly. "Close your eyes if you like."

I obeyed her request and closed my eyes, moving forward with her leading me closer to the fences. I soon heard the animal's voice, so close, and figured she was probably caressing its fur or something. I held my breath unconsciously as she lifted my hand and made me touch something soft and...living. "God," I whispered, suddenly panicking. Before I could retreat, she grabbed my hand and kept me in place.

"Open your eyes." My heart was pounding against my chest. "Come on, it won't hurt you."

I briefly parted my gaze to look at the zebra looking at me and my hand dangerously close above its head. Abby moved my hand forward once again and made me touch its fur. I gingerly moved my fingertips against it, and it didn't even flinch. I slowly eased my palm against it and caressed it against its fur. It was soft, warm and a great feeling. "See?" Abby said, waking me up from my thoughts. "You did it! You touched a zebra."

"I did it," I replied in disbelief, beaming at her. The feeling of accomplishment was so strong that I caressed its fur again and again. "I did it."

"Wait," she suddenly said, "let me capture this beautiful moment." She took out her phone and took a photo with my hand on the zebra's head. "I sent it to your mom, too," she said laughingly. "She will be proud."

"She will be shocked," I corrected her. "She knows how shit-scared I am."

"I knew you could do this." She smoothened my hair with her fingers and smiled at me. "You can achieve anything you want." I wanted to tell her that the only achievement I cared about was to keep her in my life but it was too intense for the moment. With the days nearing to an end, I felt like my time was running out and Abby was slipping off my fingers.

My theory was wrong: it didn't matter whether I confessed or not. She was leaving soon, therefore, she was slipping off my fingers—miles away in New York.

The realization dawned on me, running through my veins in the form of horror. I took her by surprise when my hand cupped the back of her head, beneath her wet curls, and pulled her close to cover her lips with mine. "I love you, Abby," I said, looking into her eyes when we broke apart, brushing my thumb against her cheek. No matter how many times I had told her my feelings, I couldn't shake the feeling of insufficiency. As if I made her believe in my love, she would miraculously stay here with me. Not that I would want that from her—I had no right to do so. I wanted her to achieve the things she wished in life one by one. The whole problem was, someone else was going to be there first to celebrate her accomplishments with her.

"I love you back," she whispered, looking into my eyes as if she knew what was running through my mind. When she leaned to kiss me again, the bothering thoughts cleared out like clouds before a sunny day.

Kissing Abby in the middle of a desert, both of us soaked wet, wasn't in my to-do-before-I-die list but it should have definitely been.

***

Hi my beautiful readers!

It's Friday again, and I'm back with another sweetness packed chapter. Hope you're enjoying the adventures of Gabby. I'm glad to have you on board 💖

❤️

Love you all,

Sev xx