Part eight

Erica

After being dragged from the hospital by my parents, I returned to my home, only to find the place a complete mess. Pretty much the entire downstairs was completely ruined and the smell of smoke still stained every inch of the interiors.

I grabbed what I could from my room and walked over to the neighbours where I was currently staying.

'How are you feeling?' Sarah asked me as she gave me a hug. 'Your mum told me what happened'

I hugged her back and even managed a small smile 'I'm ok, I just want to sleep, if that's ok'

'Of course it is, I've set up the guestroom for you' she said and led me through the house. 'Just let me know if you need anything'

'Ok, will do' I nodded. 'And, thanks, for letting me stay and everything'

'Don't mention it' she replied as she closed the door behind her.

I took a seat on the bed and looked around the room, until I focused on the window instead. I ignored the sight of the burned house and looked at the sky, and the millions of stars twinkling above me.

I laid back amongst the pillows and pulled the covers up, over my head, until I was completely covered. I closed my eyes and let all the events of the day fill my head.

So let the moon shine, softly on the boy I long to see

And maybe when he dreams, he'll dream of me

I hide beneath the clouds, I whisper to the evening stars

They tell me love is just a dream away, dream away

A dream away

So let the moon shine, softly on the boy I long to see

And maybe when he dreams, he'll dream of me

Dream of me

---

Tom

After being discharged the next morning I went straight from the hospital to Erica's house. I had been trying to figure out what and how I was going tell her but had soon realised that I should just come out and tell her.

Just like when you take off a bandage - quick and easy. But it was also because of the fact that I was scared, and to put it mildly, and bloody coward. I needed to get it out there as quickly as I could, before I chickened out completely.

When I pulled up to the drive-way of her house I turned the ignition off but I didn't leave the car. I quietly drummed my fingers against the steering-wheel as I searched for a little bit more gut. 'Come on Tom' I said out loud 'You can do this, its only Erica, you know, your best friend. Just go in there and tell her how you feel'

I let out a loud sigh 'Its as easy as that?'

'It's as easy as that' I let out a quiet laugh, damn myself for being so smart.

This was it, I thought as I got out of the car, win or loose, it all comes down to this. I still felt nervous as hell though, but sometimes you just have to put yourself out there, risk a litt…

'Oh, Hi Tom' I heard someone say, interrupting my ever so important train of thought.

'Ehm' I replied confused as I still didn't know where the voice came from. 'Hi?'

'I'm over here Tom' she said again and this time I noticed Erica's mother standing in the middle of the rose-bushes.

'Oh Hi Mrs Parker, sorry about that, I didn't see you' I replied as I walked closer to her. 'How are you today?'

'I'm fine thank you, but more important, how are you? You looked a bit under the weather last night'

I politely smiled at her joke 'I'm ok, just a bit of a sore throat, that's all'

'And thank god for that. That house though' she continued gesturing at the house in front of us 'is another question' she said with a solemn look at the blackened walls. 'The insurance-people told us that it wont be liveable for another couple of months'

'I'm sorry' I said honestly, trying my hardest not to show her how impatient I was.

'Oh don't say that dear, the house doesn't matter. All I care about is that Erica is ok, and thanks to you, she is'

I nodded 'Yeah, I'm happy for that. Things could have turned out a lot worse'

She took her eyes of me and looked up at the house again, 'It doesn't even bare to think about. If you hadn't been here…' she said before taking a deep breath. 'Well, I'm not thinking about that today, what brings you here anyway?'

'I came to see Erica, is she home?'

'Oh no, she left about an hour ago, said she was going to the hospital to see you, I thought you'd have met her already'

'Oh… no, I we must have just passed each other or something' I said unable to hide the disappointment I was feeling.
'I'm sure she'll be home soon, if you want to wait for her'

'No, that's ok' I replied absent-mindedly 'I'll just give her a call later or something'

'Ok, it was lovely too see you dear, and thank you again'

'Yeah, I'll see you later' I said before walking back to my car. I thought I heard her say something behind me but my mind was already too far gone to register it. Now, I thought to myself, where would I be if I was Erica?

---

Turns out, that wasn't the best starting-point when you're trying to find someone. Especially not when you have one entire city, and trying to think like a girl, looking for you, probably, but you're not entirely sure.

I had been driving around for about an hour now and I was as confused as ever. 'Think Tom, think'

---

'Hi, its me, again'

'I know' Danny said with his trade-mark chuckle. 'Still no luck?'

I shook my head before remembering that I was on the phone 'Nope'

'Ok' he replied with a happy sigh 'Where would she go, if she was looking for you, and you weren't at the hospital, or at home? I'd say some place that has a special meaning to the both of you. Like a place where you shared something, or even the place where you first met…'

'You mean like…?'

'Hm, let me see' he said sarcastically 'Maybe at that bench where you sat the first day when she showed you around the school. Were you sat and talked and it felt like you had known each other for ages, even if it was only for a couple of minutes'

'Is this your way to tell me that I tell you way too much about my life?' I said with a snicker. 'Cause if it is, point taken'

'Nah, why would I ever do something like that. I'm just here to help, that's all'

'Seriously Dan, thanks, I don't know what I would ever do without you and your comforting advice' I continued putting as much feeling in it as I possibly could.

'Go get your girl Tom' he laughed 'There's no need to make fun of me and my special abilities'

'Sorry' I mumbled, still laughing though.

'Just go, you idiot, go and get her'

---

'Tom?' I heard a voice say 'What are you doing here?'

'I figured you'd be here' I said with a small smile. I looked at her, at the bags underneath her eyes, her worn-out hoodie and messily pulled back pony-tail, and despite all that, she had never looked more beautiful to me.

Erica took a step towards me but then stopped, as if something was holding her back. I looked into her eyes and noticed a small, crystal-clear tear find its way down her cheek.

I quickly walked the remaining steps up to her and, when I came close enough, I reached out and wiped it away with my thumb. 'I'm so sorry' she said as another tear followed, 'I am so sorry'

I wiped the second tear away before pulling her into a hug. I felt her arms find their way around me and I held her as close as humanly possible. I needed to know that she was ok, that she was actually standing in front of me, and no words could ever replace all the feelings that that hug held.

'Thank you' she finally whispered.

I pulled back slightly, so that I could look into her eyes before asking 'For what?'

'For saving my life'

I flashed her a small smile and gave her a light kiss on her forehead, before resuming the hug again.

---

Erica

'So, how did you know where to find me?' I said finally breaking the silence that lay between us.

'Well…' Immediately a hint of red spread across Tom's cheeks 'Ehm, Danny might have helped me out' he mumbled quickly.

'I knew I liked that boy for some reason' I said with a light snicker.

Tom quickly rubber his cheeks, as if trying to rid the red before clearing his throat 'So…I kind of had something that I wanted to tell you'

'Great' I said relieved as I let out the breath I had been holding 'I have something to tell you too'

'Oh' Tom said with a small nod 'You go first then'

'Nah, its ok, you came and found me' I replied with a smile 'You deserve to go first'

'Ok' he said and looked down at his hands 'Well, I…'he shrugged 'I don't really know where to start. I've been thinking a lot these last couple of weeks, and I have realised a few things'

I blinked 'Ok, like what?'

'Well, I know that this thing with Jason kind of came in-between us, but I had my reasons for letting it do so' he said quickly, looking everywhere but at me. 'And that is that I…'

Suddenly he was interrupted by my phone ringing. Cursing inwards I shot Tom an apologetic look before answering it.

'I'm sorry about that Tom' I said honestly after hanging up 'That was my mom, they're doing some evaluation of the house and I need to be there'

'Oh, I see, I guess we can continue this later' he said with a small smile.

I hugged him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek 'I'll hold you to that'

'Wait' he responded quickly, 'what about your thing, that you wanted to tell me?'

'Ehm' I answered looking down at my feet 'It can wait' I finally said, trying my hardest to not look at him. I knew that if I did, he would be able to see right through me. Mustering the best smile I could, I looked up at him again. 'I should go, but I'll talk to you tonight'

'Oh…Ok' Tom smiled back, but I thought I could see a hint of sadness hidden underneath it

Tom

As I watched Erica walk away from me I couldn't help but curse at my own stupidity. How could I even think that she felt the same way, she obviously doesn't. maybe it was a good thing that I didn't get to tell her.

'Hi' I said into the phone, for about the 9th time that day.

'You didn't tell her, did you?' Danny said in a stern voice on the other line.

I scanned my mind frantically for something good to say, but all that came out was: 'Ehh…'

'Tom! Seriously!'

'But…'

'No buts Tom. Now, if you don't tell her soon…' he began in his sneaky tone of voice 'I will!'

I gasped, and I was pretty sure my mouth was hanging open 'You wouldn't?!'

He snickered evilly, 'Oh, trust me… I so would'

'Danny!'

'Tom!' he replied, mimicking my high-pitched tone.

'Danny!!'

'Tom!'

'Oh… you are so…' I said with an angry sigh. 'Ahhh! I am going to hang up on you now!'

'Do that' came his cheeky response.

'Fine, I will'

'Fine'

'Oh, I'll call you tonight though, so we can sort out the train and stuff' I said as I remembered why I needed to talk to him.

'Ok, sounds good' he replied calmly.

'But now I'm hanging up on you'

'Fine, do that'

'Fine!'

Cheeky bastard, I thought to myself as I ended the call.