I leaned in and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, holding him tightly even as he trembled. My tears soaked into the back of his shirt. He clung to me like a drowning man to driftwood.
"I'm here," I whispered. "I'll always be here for you, Luis Miguel. As a friend. As your sister. I promise. You're not alone."
There was a pause. It was a moment suspended in heavy air.
Then he pulled back slowly with his eyes scanning mine. I felt the shift before I even registered what it meant. Luis Miguel's eyes dropped to my lips, and I realized too late what was happening.
He inclined toward me and I froze. His hand slid up to cradle the side of my face, gentle, shaking, and desperate.
I turned my head away before our lips could meet.
"Luis…" I said softly, placing my hand over his and moving it down. "No."
He blinked, then recoiled as if stung. "I—sorry. I didn't mean to…"
The attempt sort of brings back the memories of the day they all had me pinned in the alley by the market.
