The hotel suite was amazing. It was big, luxurious, and intimate.
Malcolm turned to Amy, awkward.
"So… what do you think about this place?"
Amy shot him a quick text,
it's amazing!
Before she jumped on him with a squeal.
Malcolm was relieved that she liked it. He then carried her to the bed and sat down with her still in his arms.
"You are so beautiful," Malcolm found himself breathing out. "Inside and out." He added.
Amy blushed.
Shy, she kissed the side of his neck before nesting her face there.
They stayed like that for a few seconds before Malcolm cleared his throat and Amy tensed.
"I'm going to ask you something... Something really personal," Malcolm warned.
"It's okay if you don't want to answer."
Amy stiffened and quickly texted, What is it?
Malcolm avoided her eyes.
"Earlier today, when you were having a panic attack..." He stopped, then tried again.
"You talked."
Amy flinched. Fear rushed through her so fast that she started shaking.
Malcolm immediately hugged her tightly, rocking her back and forth like a child.
"I know, I know... I'm an insensitive idiot," he rambled, panic spilling over. "You don't owe me an explanation. You don't owe anyone anything."
His voice broke.
"I'm so sorry, Amy. Just… don't break up with me. Please."
Amy couldn't process his words. She heard him, yes- but her mind had already fallen back into her parents' bedroom, back to her knees on the cold concrete floor, waiting.
Her father's voice thundered again and again.
Shut up!
Are you saying they all accused you wrongly?
So they're lying or you are?
Who gave you permission to talk back to me?
Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.
Her consciousness returned minutes later.
The shaking she felt wasn't an earthquake or her panic attack. It was Malcolm.
He was crying, clinging to her.
"…Amy? Amy, please come back to me. I'm scared. I'm sorry. I won't ask again. I promise."
She felt drained, heavy. She searched for her phone but couldn't find it.
Instead, she looked up at Malcolm's desperate face and smiled.
She reached up, startling him, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.
He froze, afraid, so she stopped.
Sitting up, she searched again and found her phone at the edge of the bed. She grabbed it and immediately started typing.
I'm sorry I freaked you out. Twice now.
Booh!
Malcolm snorted.
It wasn't pretty. He was grateful the hotel room had no camera or he'd die of embarrassment.
And I really wish I could tell you why I can't speak around you, when you've been nothing but amazing to me.
Malcolm opened his mouth to respond, but Amy lifted a finger and another message appeared.
Malcolm, I've never had someone who genuinely wanted to understand me like this. That's yet another new territory for me.
"Another?" Malcolm asked softly.
Amy smiled.
She lay back on the bed and patted the space beside her. Malcolm joined her.
Holding his hand, she typed again.
I even have a list of things I'm new to here:
People inviting me to parties and their homes.
Being introduced as someone worth knowing.
Being considered.
Having a choice.
Being protected.
Being understood.
"That's quite a list to come up with on the spot," Malcolm teased, genuinely impressed.
Amy leaned over him and kissed him gently.
"What was that for?" Malcolm asked, blushing.
She typed one last message and showed it to him.
For showing me that I have so much more than just a voice.