Chapter 8

Joshua's eyes were very large as Samantha expected him to say something. All that came from the soon-to-be-hero's mouth was,

"Uh…"

"Come on lets get you dried off." Samantha said. "Then we can talk." Her window chore was forgotten for the moment as Joshua followed her into the bathroom. Grabbing a clean towel from inside the cupboard, she handed it to him. Silence filled the room and she left him take care of himself.

On the couch, Samantha picked up the roll of duct tape from where she had flung it next to her teddy bear. Quickly, she grabbed the bear and hid him inside her drying duffel. Then she returned to her window task.

The black bags were pretty close together and she hoped that she could get the tape across and seal up the gap between them before too much more water came in. While she was struggling with the tape, Joshua came out of the bathroom. He saw her fighting with her window setup and came over to her. Without saying a word her put his hand on hers and helped her put the tape over the bags.

His movements shocked Samantha. She thought for sure that he would be upset with her and yell or something. Looking at him, she realized he had taken off his shirt and had a towel around his waist.

"You're going to catch cold." Samantha said.

"I don't see what else I can do." Joshua smiled slightly.

"Come on let's sit on the couch." She offered. He walked over and sat down. Samantha went into the bathroom and grabbed an extra towel. Handing it to Joshua, she said,

"My sleeping bag isn't dry yet so you'll have to use this to keep warm."

"Thanks. Listen I want to apologize. I shouldn't have said what I did the other day. I was angry." He told her.

"I deserved it. I was way out of line. I should've believed you when you told me you didn't know anything. I…" Joshua put his finger to her lips.

"It's ok. You were under a lot of stress. It's not your fault."

"Yes, it is. I know you would never lie to me. You are my best and closest friend. I'm so sorry. Running away wasn't the brightest idea either." Samantha sighed. Joshua wrapped his muscular arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"We both said things we didn't really mean and we both acted irresponsibly. I'm sure my parents have noticed that I'm not there and they are probably looking for me now too." He said.

"Are you blocking your father?" She asked.

"Yes. I wanted to sort everything out with you before they yell at us." Joshua smiled.

Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you're never coming round…

Samantha stood up. She wasn't sure what to do. Something inside of her screamed that it shouldn't be this easy.

Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears…

Joshua could feel her hesitance.

Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the best of all the years have gone by…

"Those two months that we didn't talk, I couldn't forgive myself for what I said. I don't see how you could be forgiving me so easily." Samantha said.

Turnaround, Every now and then I get a little bit terrified and then I see the look in your eyes…

"Samantha, I care about you. For two months I was angry and hurt. I couldn't believe that you did what you did but I realized that I care too much to just let you go." Joshua told her.

Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart, Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart…

"I thought I cared about you but if I could call you a liar then how much do I really care?" She asked him.

And I need you now tonight… And I need you more than ever… And if you only hold me tight…

"If you didn't care about me, you wouldn't have run away." He pointed out.

We'll be holding on forever, And we'll only be making it right, Cause we'll never be wrong together…

"You ran away because I said a very hurtful thing and you still care for me. I drove you away." Joshua continued.

We can take it to the end of the line, Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time, all of the time, I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark…

"I drove you away first." She said.

We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks, I really need you tonight, Forever's gonna start tonight, Forever's gonna start tonight…

Joshua stood up from the couch and put his hands on her shoulders. He looked into her hazel eyes.

Once upon a time I was falling in love, But now I'm only falling apart, There's nothing I can do…

"Samantha you have to stop blaming yourself. I…" She cut him off.

A total eclipse of the heart, Once upon a time there was light in my life, But now there's only love in the dark…

"Why didn't you chase me?" A look of surprise crossed Joshua's face.

Nothing I can say, A total eclipse of the heart… (Instrumental break)

"I watched you walk away because I thought you needed time to cool down. I didn't want to risk making the situation worse." He told her.

Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart, Turnaround bright eyes, Every now and then I fall apart, And I need you now tonight…

"I need you Samantha." Joshua finished.

And I need you more than ever, And if you'll only hold me tight, We'll be holding on forever…

"Hold me and tell me that we'll never be this stupid again." Samantha said.

And we'll only be making it right, Cause we'll never be wrong together, We can take it to the end of the line…

"I promise that we'll never do something this stupid." Joshua said as he pulled her to him.

Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time, all of the time, I don't know what to do and I'm always in the dark, We're living in a powder keg and giving off sparks…

The two stood there in each other's arms not moving.

I really need you tonight, Forever's gonna start tonight, Forever's gonna start tonight…

To Be Continued…

The song is Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler and Meatloaf.