Allison continues to stand there, plates in hand, watching the scene in front of her.

I don't take notice. I focus on the task at hand-the brave task at hand: hugging Erik. And this plan involves giving the best hug I've ever given anyone.

This is the first hug he's ever had, I remind myself; make it a special one.

I wrap my arms carefully around his neck, feeling the heat radiate off his body. His back muscles ripple across my arms. It's really manly. My heart skips a beat...or two. I brush my hand through his hair, like a mother does to soothe an anxious child. His hair is soft, but stringy...

It's fake.

Why does he need a wig? And why have I never noticed it before?

Why does it matter?

I throw those frivolous questions away and continue to stroke his hair. I pull myself into him, giving him a tight, yet gentle, hug.

Erik's body stiffens. His heartbeat increases to a rapid speed; it's hammering against my chest. Knowing that I'm able to do that to him makes my heart beat faster, too. Or has it already been beating fast? I mean, touching him tingles...what does that mean?

"W-what are you doing?" Erik stutters.

"Giving you your first "normal" hug," I explain, teasingly.

Erik's arm twitches, like he's not sure whether to wrap it around me or to keep it by his side. I take his hand and lift it up to wrap around me. "There you go," I sigh. "Just relax into it."

"You don't have to hug me because you feel obligated to," he grumbles.

"I don't feel obligated, Erik-I want to! I wanted to give you a hug."

"You aren't disgusted by hugging me?" he asks, aghast.

I shake my head. "No."

Erik tightens his grip on me, his arms becoming pythons. His body relaxes into mine. We are now chest to chest, knee to knee. He releases a quiet gasp.

More butterflies appear in my stomach.

Dear Lord!

Erik stands up, slightly pushing me away. "I need to go. We will continue our lesson-" he grabs his music book, closes the piano lid, and walks to the door, "-next time...which is Wednesday...I think. Goodbye!" The door slams shut.

I stay frozen in my position: knees pressed against the floor, arms partially circled. My mouth is wide open.

Well...that was abrupt.

"Holy shit!" Allison hiss-whispers.

I turn around to face her for the first time. "Allison! How long have you been standing there?"

Allison rushes forward, plates in hand. "Long enough!" She sets the plates on the table and sits on the couch. Swallowing, I join her.

"I can't believe he let you do that!" she exclaims. "Nevertheless, I can't believe you did that!"

"Why is it hard to believe I would do something like that?" I pick up my sandwich, remembering my hunger.

Allison grabs the sandwich out of my hand, placing it back on the plate. She wants my full attention. "Because that was daringly bold. And you know Erik's personality-he's not the biggest toucher or hugger! You know, as I was peeking at you two from the kitchen, it almost looked like the both of you have known each other for years," she states. "You were incredibly comfortable with each other. It was the perfect example of an older couple."

My cheeks heat up at the comment.

Allison bites her finger, deep in thought. "And now I think there's a good possibility that he likes you."

"What?"

"Just listen to me first, okay?" Allison starts to list off her reasons. "He allowed you to touch him two-maybe, three-times, he had a full-on conversation with you, he offered you singing lessons, and he was very shy when he hugged you. Not only that, but I got the benefit of seeing his face. Amy…he was in complete ecstasy!"

My face flames.

"I've never seen Erik look like that before," she squeals. "It was so sweet! Then the way he brushed on out of here-he was so nervous and tongue-tied." She leans in closer to me. "And if I didn't know better, you looked pretty content yourself.

"Allison, stop!" I giggle. She has no idea how thrilled I actually was.

She pulls a face. "Fine. Anyway, these are Allison's reasons as to why she thinks Erik might have a crush on Allison's friend Amy."

I stare at her, bewildered. "Why, on earth, are you talking in third person?"

She rolls her eyes. "Being goofy, you dork. Let's eat!"

Didn't have to ask me twice, I grab my sandwich, glare at her (making sure she won't steal my sandwich again), and take two colossal bites. I hum in satisfaction.

Allison swallows. "You know...I think he was attracted you ever since he first saw you. He just didn't want to admit it."

"What makes you say that?" I ask. Erik liking me on the first night? Impossible!

Allison rolls her eyes again. "He texted me later that night."

I raise my eyebrows.

"They were all questions about you, particularly your welfare. He asked if you were feeling better and that if you throw-up again to make you some lemon honey tea to help soothe and protect your throat from the acid."

I wave it off. "He was just worried about my voice, Allison. You know how he is about music."

"I don't know, Amy; I think he was genuine."

My palms begin to sweat. "Really...?" I mumble.

She nods. "What do you think?"

"What do you mean?" I bite my sandwich.

"You know…What do you think about Erik?"

I clear my throat, readjusting myself on the couch. "I think he's..."

"Yeeeessss?" Allison prods.

I clear my throat again. "I think he's...cute." More like handsome. "He's kind of a man of mystery."

"Yes! Exactly." Allison exclaims. "But do you like him?"

Oh, so that's what she wants to know. A little agitated, I reply, "I guess I like him a little more than I should."

Allison pumps a fist in the air. "Alright, Amy! Getting your game back on!"

I cringe. "Yeah...I-I don't think I'm going to pursue it though."

"Wha-why? Why are you so hesitant to like Erik?"

"It's not just Erik, it's everyone, Allison."

"Then why everyone?"

"Well, let's see." I place my half-eaten sandwich on the plate. "Jack. I'm scared that if I get into another relationship, then it'll be like Jack all over again. And I won't be able to tell, because like Jack, I won't know until it's too late!" I take a breath. "And not only that, but I'm pregnant. I don't think Erik, or any man, wants a pregnant woman." Especially Erik. I don't even know if he likes kids.

Allison groans. "Not this again. Amy, we talked about this!"

"I know, I know!" I massage my eyes with my palms. "I'm sorry. I-I'm just not ready to get back into a relationship."

"I know," Allison sighs. "That's my fault-I pushed it."

"It's okay," I mumble.

A couple of moments past between us before Allison starts up another conversation.

"You know," Allison perks, "I think I see a little baby bump. Just a teeny weeny bump."

I smile back, giving my stomach a small pat. "You've noticed too, huh?"

"Yeah," her voice is soft. "It's sweet. And I still can't believe I'm going to be an aunt." I chuckle. "Aunt Allison," she continues. "Just call me 'double A'!" I laugh.

"Oh! Erik shared with me a vital piece of information."

"Oooh! What kind of information?"

I smile at her childish excitement and, secretly, at the thought that of knowing something she doesn't. "He told me a little about his past."

Allison claps her hands. "Tell, tell, tell!"

I give her the details, passing forth the gathered information about his past and what he called himself. I guess you can call this gossip, but we'd rather use the euphemism 'sharing.' By the time I finish, Allison's mouth is wide open. "Rape, murder, and drugs?" she gasps.

"Oh my!" I squeal, laughing. I know it was horrible timing, but it was just hanging in the air; I couldn't let it go.

She glares at me.

Instantly, I apologize. "But didn't you hear what he called himself?"

"Yeah," her eyebrows squint. "What was it? A 'demon from hell?' So sad. I can't believe that's what he compares himself to."

It makes me wonder how Erik came to think of himself like that. What, in his past, made him think like that? Like he's some sort of monster?

"So, you didn't know this?"

"No, not at all!" Allison bites her lip. "I knew he had a horrible past, but I never knew that was involved."

I shake my head. "Poor Erik."

Allison nods her head, agreeing. "Poor Erik. I'm off to bed." Allison gets off the couch.

"Right behind you." I get off the couch as well, following Allison down the hall. She goes into the restroom while I go to my room to put on my pajamas. I throw my clothes into the laundry hamper, then go to my cabinet and pull out some shorts and a tank top. Aah! I feel relieved to be in something comfortable.

I open my door, looking down the hall. The bathroom door is open. Good! Now I can go brush my teeth.

I yawn, and for a minute debate on whether I really should brush my teeth.

Clean breath wins.

I do a quick brush.

"Goodnight, Allison!" I yell as I shut my bedroom door.

"Night," comes a muffled reply.

I snuggle in the sheets, getting comfy. Sighing, I release all the stress from today. I rub my bruised wrist, but instead of thinking of Jack, I think of Erik's feather-light touch on my wrist, on my body...on my heart.

I fall asleep smoothly, letting a piece of my heart go with it.

RIIIIIINNNNNGGGG! RRRIIIIINNNNNGGGG!

What the freaking hell!? Is that the phone?!

RIIIINNNNGGGGG!

It is the damn phone. I sit up, groggy. "I-I get it. I got it." I reach across my bed stand, grabbing the phone. "Hello?" Lord...sounds like there's a frog in my throat.

"A-Allison?" A timid voice asks.

Suddenly, I'm awake. "No, this is Amy-Allison's friend," I explain. I glance at the clock. It's one in the morning!

"O-oh! I didn't mean t-to intrude! I-I was j-just-"

"It's okay." I say, trying to calm her. "It's fine."

Silence.

"Are you part of the church group Allison has every Thursday?" I ask, deciding to transition the mood from awkward to comfortable.

"Y-Yes."

I smile. "What's your name, sweetie?"

"Desiree."

"Desiree..." I repeat, trying it on my tongue. "I like it. Very pretty."

"Thank you."

"Did you want to talk about something?" There is no response on the other end. "Allison told me that sometimes you guys call late at night when you need to talk about a problem that suddenly came up, or something. And, well, since I am now a part of the group, you can talk to me if you want. I'd be happy to listen." More silence. "And this can stay between us," I add.

"I'm just having trouble sleeping," she blurts.

I blink. She said that so quickly. "Oh. Okay."

"So, I was just hoping if maybe...i-if maybe you can hum a tune...or something?"

"Hum a tune?" I repeat.

"It's what Allison does when I have trouble sleeping, or if I wake up from a nightmare...it always helps. If you don't want to, you don't have too." Desiree starts speaking rapidly.

"I can sing, or hum, if you want," I intervene. The poor girl is about to have a panic attack.

"Okay," she whispers. "Thank you."

I hum, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz.

"Beautiful voice," she whispers.

When I finish, I stay quiet, waiting for a response. "Hello?"

No answer, except a small, delicate snore. I smile.

Hanging up the phone, I can't help the growing feeling of satisfaction.

I helped someone.

Now I just need to help the others.

My plan for Jake is in motion, same with Lola's. Desiree...I still need to get to know a little. The others...I still need to know. And Erik...for Erik I'll do the best I can.

I lay back down on the bed, closing my eyes. I sense a busy future, but one that I'm enthusiastic for.

I can't wait to tell Allison what I achieved tonight.