Forbidden Desire:

Simone’s Notes:

Desire is a sense of longing or hoping for a person, object, or outcome. The same sense is expressed by emotions such as "craving." When a person desires something or someone, their sense of longing is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of the item or person, and they want to take actions to obtain their goal. The motivational aspect of desire has long been noted by philosophers; Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) asserted that human desire is the fundamental motivation of all human action. While desires are often classified as emotions by laypersons, psychologists often describe desires as different from emotions; psychologists tend to argue that desires arise from bodily structures, such as the stomach's need for food, whereas emotions arise from a person's mental state. Marketing and advertising companies have used psychological research on how desire is stimulated to find more effective ways to induce consumers into buying a given product or service. While some advertising attempts to give buyers a sense of lack or wanting, other types of advertising create desire associating the product with desirable attributes, by showing either a celebrity or a model with the product.

Paul and Julie lay together in her bed. She looked up at her boyfriend.

“When are you going to tell your parents about me?” Julie asked. Paul patted her on the head.

“Soon,” he said.

“You can’t keep me hidden away forever.”

“I’m not.”

“Are you ashamed of me?”

“Ashamed? No, no! Why would you think that?”

“I have to wonder…” Her pouting expression made his heart sting.

“Oh come on. Don’t do that.”

“What?”

“Look, I promise you will meet my folks soon.”

“Do you mean it?”

“Yes!”

Julie rested her head on his chest. “Do you think they will like me?”

Paul smiled as he patted her on the head. “I know they will.”

“How’s your step-mom?”

“Good. The baby’s doing fine.”

Julie leaned up and gave him a little peck on the lips. Paul pulled her closer into his arms.

“How’s your mom?” he asked. The soft glow in Julie’s eyes began to turn dull as she lowered her head.

“She’s still hasn’t come out of it yet,” she said.

“How long has it been?”

“Two years.”

“Oh. And your dad still hasn’t called you guys?”

She shook her head. Paul rubbed her on the shoulder. “I am so sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be. I don’t want to talk about him tonight.”

“Alright. What do you want to talk about?”

Julie pulled her body upwards. “Nothing.”

Paul looked down with a strange look on his face. “What?”

“I want to just lay here in silence with you.”

“But… why?”

Her gentle lips curved into a smile. “I think it’s more romantic to just lie here in silence while in your arms.” Julie rested her head on his chest. She could feel his heart beating against her cheek. Paul couldn’t help but smile himself.

“I think I would like that,” he said.

“Shhh,” his girlfriend whispered as she drew her eyes closed. Paul mouthed “oh” before resting his hand on her lower back under the sheets. Good night, he thought. Paul and Julie lay in bed together until falling asleep at about three in the morning.

This love might be able to survive the grasp of blooming Fallen City. We will have to see.