nice now. His other hand takes hold of mine and he lifts it to his chest, holding it there.
“You’re gonna be fine . You have a bed to sleep in. You have a roof over your head. You’re gonna learn about some fables on Monday,” he shakes his head and smiles. “And as soon as you’re in something more comfortable, we’re gonna go grab some breakfast, because I’m starvin’.” He leans in and presses his lips to my forehead.
I close my eyes and he just holds us like this. I soak in his warmth for a minute, taking what I can get, because for some reason it’s easing the pain in my chest.
“You come to me if you need somethin’. You come to me about anythin’.”
I watch him leave me so I can change. I can’t help but wonder when he’ll change his mind about helping me.
~*~
I send Chloe an email explaining the latest happenings with my mother, and how Aiden stepped in. She’s going to be upset, I can just feel it in my gut. I didn’t tell her Aiden’s a detective, I don’t know if that would be wise.
I ch ange into shorts and a t-shirt. I wash my face and tie my hair back into a ponytail. We step into the lounge at the same time, and I have to admit I feel insecure for a whole lot of new reasons, the main one being he’s not a student any more.
Just when I think he can’t come across any more manly – he does, now that I know he’s older, he works, he’s ten to one independent, not dependent on anyone like me. If I weren’t upset about my mum, I’d notice how great he looks in his worn jeans that hangs low on his hips, and how the charcoal shirt brings out the gray of his eyes.
But OF COURSE, I don’t notice any of that. I’m supposed to be upset. I’m not supposed to feel relieved, at all. I’m not supposed to feel a flutter of excitement as I leave the flat with Aiden. I’m supposed to feel guilty. Awful. Selfish. Cheap. Lost.
He opens the car door for me, and I brush past him to get in. I catch his spicy scent, and remind myself I should feel guilty for running away from home, for making my problem his. I tell myself this, otherwise I will feel hope, maybe even a glimmer of happiness, and we all know what happens then – the shit hits the fan.
So I just slip on my safety belt and tell myself to be nervous, because something should go wrong soon. Aiden could change his mind in the next hour, and realize he’s made a mistake.
But he doesn’t. We pick up breakfast , and the only thing I really should feel guilty about is the coke I get, while he takes a bottle of water. He drives us out to a lake. We drive past some students settling in for a day of fun, families, couples in love, and he keeps going until I should start thinking Lake Placid , Wrong Turn , maybe even Jason and Scream , and then I laugh, because now I’m being really daft.
Aiden glances at me and must see the word panic written all over my face. “I’m not going to kill you. Stop looking so nervous.”
I smile brightly , although I should worry about the fact that he can read me so easily. But that thought flies out the back door when he parks the car.
WOW.
I’ve seen lakes. I’ve seen views. A couple. Maybe this is stunning because I wanted to see this specific one.
The glassy sheen of water is smooth beyond the trees, and I push the door open so I can take in the full sight in front of me. Most of the trees are still green, but some of the leaves have turned to gold and orange, submitting to the coming winter. The ones that have fallen are still soft, not crunchy.
I walk slowly, my stomach buzzing with excitement , and I can’t help but reach for a tree. I need to touch one, to prove to myself that I am here. I am at Jordan Lake. And I know there are eagles here, somewhere.
I glance up at the tall treetops, smiling, and it’s silly, really. They will be deeper in, nesting in the higher ones. But I’m so close, as close as I’ll ever get to a Bald Eagle, a bird that was almost extinct. With a little
“You’re gonna be fine . You have a bed to sleep in. You have a roof over your head. You’re gonna learn about some fables on Monday,” he shakes his head and smiles. “And as soon as you’re in something more comfortable, we’re gonna go grab some breakfast, because I’m starvin’.” He leans in and presses his lips to my forehead.
I close my eyes and he just holds us like this. I soak in his warmth for a minute, taking what I can get, because for some reason it’s easing the pain in my chest.
“You come to me if you need somethin’. You come to me about anythin’.”
I watch him leave me so I can change. I can’t help but wonder when he’ll change his mind about helping me.
~*~
I send Chloe an email explaining the latest happenings with my mother, and how Aiden stepped in. She’s going to be upset, I can just feel it in my gut. I didn’t tell her Aiden’s a detective, I don’t know if that would be wise.
I ch ange into shorts and a t-shirt. I wash my face and tie my hair back into a ponytail. We step into the lounge at the same time, and I have to admit I feel insecure for a whole lot of new reasons, the main one being he’s not a student any more.
Just when I think he can’t come across any more manly – he does, now that I know he’s older, he works, he’s ten to one independent, not dependent on anyone like me. If I weren’t upset about my mum, I’d notice how great he looks in his worn jeans that hangs low on his hips, and how the charcoal shirt brings out the gray of his eyes.
But OF COURSE, I don’t notice any of that. I’m supposed to be upset. I’m not supposed to feel relieved, at all. I’m not supposed to feel a flutter of excitement as I leave the flat with Aiden. I’m supposed to feel guilty. Awful. Selfish. Cheap. Lost.
He opens the car door for me, and I brush past him to get in. I catch his spicy scent, and remind myself I should feel guilty for running away from home, for making my problem his. I tell myself this, otherwise I will feel hope, maybe even a glimmer of happiness, and we all know what happens then – the shit hits the fan.
So I just slip on my safety belt and tell myself to be nervous, because something should go wrong soon. Aiden could change his mind in the next hour, and realize he’s made a mistake.
But he doesn’t. We pick up breakfast , and the only thing I really should feel guilty about is the coke I get, while he takes a bottle of water. He drives us out to a lake. We drive past some students settling in for a day of fun, families, couples in love, and he keeps going until I should start thinking Lake Placid , Wrong Turn , maybe even Jason and Scream , and then I laugh, because now I’m being really daft.
Aiden glances at me and must see the word panic written all over my face. “I’m not going to kill you. Stop looking so nervous.”
I smile brightly , although I should worry about the fact that he can read me so easily. But that thought flies out the back door when he parks the car.
WOW.
I’ve seen lakes. I’ve seen views. A couple. Maybe this is stunning because I wanted to see this specific one.
The glassy sheen of water is smooth beyond the trees, and I push the door open so I can take in the full sight in front of me. Most of the trees are still green, but some of the leaves have turned to gold and orange, submitting to the coming winter. The ones that have fallen are still soft, not crunchy.
I walk slowly, my stomach buzzing with excitement , and I can’t help but reach for a tree. I need to touch one, to prove to myself that I am here. I am at Jordan Lake. And I know there are eagles here, somewhere.
I glance up at the tall treetops, smiling, and it’s silly, really. They will be deeper in, nesting in the higher ones. But I’m so close, as close as I’ll ever get to a Bald Eagle, a bird that was almost extinct. With a little
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