Chapter fourteen! By the way, if you have the time, please swing by my profile real quick. I have a poll up that I'd like your opinions on. Enjoy, and please review!
Oh God my heart is pounding. I kiss you back as much as I can, having never done this before and having no idea what I'm doing. You wrap your arms around me, pulling me close and the breath fleeing from my lungs.
My feet leave the floor, and my arms lock around your neck. You smile against my lips, and I smile, too. But we both freeze and break apart when I hear the sound of a door being unlocked.
My parents are home. Early.
The one time I didn't want them to come home, they do. Of course Murphy's Law has it in for me. I was in the middle of my first kiss! Couldn't they have hit a red light?
Apparently I must have said that out loud, because you chuckle softly and pull me close again, burying your face in my hair. I hold you tighter, and tense up when I hear my mother call up the stairs. Where are you, honey?
Upstairs, I growl, snuggling into your chest one last time. You laugh again, and I shoot you a panicked glance. What if they hear you?
I never even thought of that. Will they call the police? Will they try to hurt you? They most certainly will lock me up until I'm an adult. If the police don't lock me up for consorting with a murderer.
My thoughts must have shown on my face, because you tilt my face up and kiss me again, deeply, and when you pull away, my face is the color of a cherry. You kiss my forehead, then go over to my window, check to be sure both of my parents are in the house, and climb out onto the branch.
You look over your shoulder, and smile at me. I'm coming back tonight. Do you think I'd stay away after that little surprise?
Uh… Clearly I am still a little dazed from the kiss, because I can't really form a coherent sentence. You smirk-obviously you are pleased with yourself.
I'll see you later, dearest.
You slide down the tree trunk, and take off into the backyard, toward the trees. I flop down on my bed and press two fingers to my lips, smiling. I never thought this would happen to me.
The room feels colder without you there. I roll up in my blankets, snuggling into my pillow. Hopefully you will be back soon. I already miss you.
My mother opens my door. Are you all right, sweetie?
Yeah, I'm fine, I say, just tired.
My mother gives me a strange look. Well, come downstairs. I brought home subs.
Why didn't you say that at the beginning, Mom? I disentangle myself from the blankets, and get up out of bed. I almost trip going down the stairs.
I eat dinner as quickly as I can, garnering strange looks from my parents. Normally I savor a ham, cheese, and avocado sub, but I really want to see you.
Are you all right, sweetheart? my dad asks. He is worried. Mom is too. I can see it in their eyes.
I'm fine, I'm just really tired, I chirp, taking another big bite. I really want to go to sleep.
My mom and dad look at each other. They're doing that universal parental telepathy thing. My mom shrugs.
Okay, my dad says, but you better not stay on the computer until four in the morning again.
Promise I won't, I say, holding up the three-fingered sign, scout's honor.
My mother chuckles. I get up, clean up my spot on the kitchen table, and race up the stairs. I shower as fast as humanly possible, and rush into my room. I boot up my laptop. You aren't here yet, but I wasn't expecting you to be. I'll burn through another chapter of Heart of Darkness while I wait. English homework doesn't finish itself, unfortunately.
It's three in the morning. My parents are long asleep, and you still aren't here. I'm worried. I mean, I know you can handle yourself, but I can't help it.
It's funny. I've known you for real for maybe a month, but I love you. I'm breaking plenty of rules, implied parent's rules and actual laws. I'm probably betraying a bunch of moral laws, too.
It doesn't matter. I know myself. My parents barely broke through the haze; other than them, no one else has managed to. If you broke the haze, there is something there. I think it is love.
I love you. I'm pretty sure you love me. That's all that matters.
I hear a soft tap; getting up, I throw open my window. You are there, and I smile brightly and move aside. You crawl to the edge, and crawl in, thudding to the floor.
I wait for you to get up. When you don't, I get nervous and walk to you, falling to my knees and trying to flip you over. When I finally manage to, I clap my hands over my mouth to suppress a scream.
You are covered in bruises, in cuts. Your left wrist is twisted at an odd angle, swollen and purple. Blood trickles from your nose, coats your lips, and there is a faint crust of it on your hairline is well.
No. No. No.
You can't be hurt. If you're hurt, you could die.
I can't let you die.