"Leah, I love you," Sam said, nuzzling my cheek.
I just sighed, snuggling deeper in the covers. He knows how much I love him. I heard him laugh a little, and he rustled the covers to get out.
"Hey," I complained as he started to dress himself. "I was enjoying the view."
He laughed. "You would," and stopped. Walking back over to me, he leaned down and whispered, "Let's go on a date."
"Alright, let me get dressed," I said, smiling as I stood up.
"No," Sam interjected, putting a hand on my hip, sending tingles up and down the place he touched. "Let's drink wine and eat here. Naked," he winked at me and ran a thumb under my breasts.
I giggled and said, "Okay. Are you cooking?"
"Nah," he said, which made me laugh harder. "Chinese takeout."
Half an hour later, we were sitting in bed and scooping clumps of lo mein into our mouths. I every time Sam leaned in for a kiss, I could taste the soy sause in his mouth, making my grimace. He just kissed me again, making me laugh.
"You would think," Sam began, uncorking the bottle of wine. "That I would have prepaired a fancy dinner for this." He poured two glasses and handed me one.
I blinked, "For what?"
Sam turned around, reaching for something under the bed. My heart started to race, my palms began sweating and suddenly, the whole room seemed to glow.
I saw a little black box, and promptly passed out.
XXX
"Jared, she's not waking up."
"It's expected, she hit her head pretty hard."
"But still, how are we going to tell Sam-"
"Paul, shut up."
There was silence.
"What are we supposed to do?"
"Did I not just say shut up? She inhaled a lot of water, but she spit most of it up. She's pretty cold, and she might have a concusion. That's just the beginning. She might not want to wake up."
"Oh."
My head throbbed, and I ached for Sam's arms before I realized, No, he's probably with Emily. I felt tears slide down my cheeks, and opened my eyes.
Jared and Paul were leaning over me, and Jared helped me sit up. "Oh man, Leah, you okay?"
I hiccuped. "I think so."
"Let's go get you to Sue," Paul said, draping his jacket over me.
I walked along silently, tears pouring down my face. Jared and Paul said nothing, just rubbed my back and held my hand. The salty air made my nose sting, and my eyes water even more, though they were a waterfall already. Paul grabbed me and leaned me up against him, making my sobs start with fury.
The drive was only ten minutes, but it felt like hours, and when we finally pulled up to my parent's house, my mom was already waiting out on the drive for me.
She walked over to the car and pulled me out, nodding at the boys. I vaugley heard that my car would be left here, and I was lead into my old home. It still smelled the same, but why didn't it feel the same? Mom lead me into the bathroom, and stripped me down. I didn't feel a need to cover myself, nor to feel embarrassed. I was too numb to.
Mom coaxed me into a warm bath, and I felt her lather up my hair. Rinse, reapeat. Sit me up, leave me with a towel and old pajamas that I probably let here.
I blinked, and felt the tears spring up again. I swallowed, pushing them back. I dressed slowing, trying not to think about anything. I walked out of the bathroom, seeing the house dark and sad. Maybe that was just the way I thought of it.
I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass, feeling utterly exausted. I drank it quietly, until I realized I wasn't alone. I jumped when the teenage boy coughed, and whirled around. He was at the stove, a box of Rice Krispies next to him, and a pot he was stirring. I saw marshmellow fluff next to him as well, and immidetly burst into tears again.
"That wasn't the reaction I was looking for," he said quickly, hurrying over to me and hugging me close to his small frame.
"I love you, Sugar Booger," I said, calling him by his pet name.
"I love you more, Fruity Patootie," He soothed, sitting me down and giving me my glass.
I watched him while he worked, setting out the treats on a piece of wax paper, and smiled for the first time in a while. I loved his baking. Seth said a piece in front of me, and I bit into it. Still warm. He ate one too, keeping his eyes on me the whole time.
"You're being creepy," I said horesly, and he smiled half-heartedly.
"I just want to make sure you aren't going to fall over from exaustion."
I just blinked, and wondered how Seth had gotten so grown up in such a short time. I stood up abruptly and hugged him close to me, longing for the time when he was small enough for me to pick him up. Seth detatched himself from my death grip, and led me over to my old room.
He tucked me in, smoothing my hair out of my face and grabbing one of my hands. Seth looked down, and saw that I was still wearing my ring. He frowned, and suddenly I felt guilty that I had made that look come onto his face.
He gently pulled it off, tucking it into his pocket. I closed my eyes, not yet willing for him to go. He sighed and said, "I can miss a day or two of school." And climbed into bed with me, resting his head on my chest like he did when he was little.
It made my cracked heart break a little.
