Yeah, she meant that. And my stomach filled with lead, even as my heart rate kicked up and my skin tingled. This wasn't how I expected things to be. A part of me wondered if this was the right thing to do. She was hurt, and I didn't want to hurt her more. But holding Coraline here, looking her in the eye, I knew I could not say no. I just... I just needed to be very careful.

I swallowed, and I touched my forehead to her's. "I haven't done this before. Like, ever. At all. We should definitely go slow but... I may need some help, okay?"

I took another shaky breath, then I let out a nervous laugh. "This is a little scary."