Empire Of The Senseless

“Okay, this is what I see.” But as soon as my lips part, she lets go and shoves me under the bed. “Hush! My mum is coming! I told you it had to end. I knew we’d get caught! Oh Juniper, why do you have to cry so damn loud! You’re such a brat! I hate you!” I’m quiet now. I’m breathless. I’m folding a butterfly. I say nothing because I don’t have to. All I have left to do is wait. I hear a conversation. I hear her on the bed above me. I feel her squirming. She can’t get comfortable. She can’t rest. She can’t sit still. She can’t stop thinking of holding me. Her mum is shouting. She’s tuned her out. I’ve tuned them both out. I’m humming in my head and talking in her sleep. This butterfly is perfect, only three thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine left to go. Her mum raises her voice. Jade screams. I almost move, but I don’t dare. I’m tempted to run. But I outwit temptation. I want to disobey, just to see the look in her eyes; but I’m too well behaved to bend time. I keep folding butterflies. Or am I?  “No way!