flip

I could see her hand moving slowly from her side, slightly tilted, travelling from her centre up toward midair, flat. I realised it was aimed at me, at my face, but it was all happening so slowly.

I felt like I had one million thoughts just then, I was debating myself, going back and forth between memories, investigating reasons and actions like I was building a case of trial, finding arguments that would support me. But her hand suddenly stopped, her eyes widening with surprise.

The fingers of my right hand were tightly wrapped around her right wrist. I could feel the lack of expression in my face as I examined myself curiously. Sounds followed.

“If you ever touch me again, you’ll never see me again.” I heard myself say. Her black eyes watered, she didn’t move. But the force behind her motion lingered in the air, I held it there.

Then she crumbled, her arm limp, her gaze dropped to the floor. She was the smallest person I’ve ever seen.

She never touched me again. And I changed forever.