Breathe; all she had to do was breathe.

If she could will her muscles to respond and catch one more breath, just one, the pressure in her chest might ease enough to tell him.

She thought, “All I need…” but before she could finish it, she looked up through her fallen locks and saw him standing there above her.

And as he bent down, the band around her chest tightened and every tiny hair on both arms stood up.

She knew then, it was too late.

He kissed her.