“So do you want me to order pizza or I can cook us something?” I ask him going over to the fridge to see what’s available to us. He comes walking up behind me and puts his hands on my shoulders peering into the fridge too.
“You can cook and you’re hot?” I laugh and nod my head.
“Marry me?” I laugh harder and elbow him gently in the stomach.
“What, I’m serious?” I grab some chicken and veggies from the fridge and put them on the counter.
“Wash your hands, you can help. I’ll teach you how to cook.” I tell him.
“Hey, who said I need you to teach me. Maybe... I can teach you a thing or two.” He says folding his muscular arms across his chest. Which just accentuates the size of his body.
“What you’re hot and you can cook?” I sound surprised, repeating what he had just said to me.
“Sit back and point me in the direction of the pans and you can see for yourself.” I point out the cupboard with the pans and take a seat at the table.
“You are just full of surprises today Chris.” I say leaning back in my chair and watch him start to cook for me. He stops what he’s doing, turns around and walks slowly towards me, when he reaches me he puts his hands on either side of the seat back on the chair. Caging me in. He pulls his face in close to mine so our noses are almost touching.
“I’m full of surprises everyday. You just don’t notice them. You should pay more attention.” He whispers to me then plants a quick kiss on the tip of my nose, grins at me and saunters back over to the kitchen to start cooking.
We eat our food at the table and then just sit in the lounge and watch a film. It’s nice. It’s comfortable. It’s easy.
No tingles. No electricity. No sparks. No Logan.
It’s just so easy.
“Thank you for today Chris. I had a pretty crappy morning but it didn’t turn out to be a horrible day in the end so thanks.” I place my arms around his waist and give him a hug as we stand by my front door when he is leaving after the film finishes. To which he wraps his large arms around my small frame and hugs me in return. I feel him pace a kiss to the top of my head.
“You’re very welcome. You need a ride to school tomorrow?” he asks without letting go of me.
“Yes please, I don’t think I’m quite ready to face people on the roads.” I say stepping away from him and he releases me from his hold. He just smirks and nods his head.
“You would be totally fine, but no problem I’ll swing by on my way to school and pick you up.” He makes his way down the porch steps towards his truck and gets in. Once the engine is turned on he puts his window down and leans out.
“Hey Alex” He calls to me.
“Yeah” I answer.
“I had a good day today too. See you in the morning.” I wave to him as he drives off and I watch his tail lights disappear at the end of the drive and head back inside.
Once I’m inside however, all that has happened this morning hits me and I realise that I’m alone. I notice a dull ache in the centre of my chest. It’s been there since this morning but when I was with Chris I somehow managed to not notice it as much. I decide the best thing for me to do is to just go to bed where I hopefully can forget what’s happened today.
◆◆◆
I sit up quickly in bed. Panting and covered in a sheen of sweat. I just witnessed my parent’s die again. It was one of the worst nightmares this time. I actually see their car crash. I watch their faces as they go up in flames and I’m powerless to stop it from happening. I grab my phone to see what the time is. About an hour earlier than I would normally get up, but I don’t want to go back to sleep, in case another dream takes me. I get up and walk over to my doors to get some much-needed fresh air to cool my burning skin. I lean on the balcony edge and just watch the clouds over the mountains, as dawn breaks through.
I wonder what its like to feel that free. To just float around while looking at the most magnificent view. The air blows a little and I notice that something is tickling my bare feet. Looking down to see what it is, my heart stops beating and a small-strangled cry leaves my lips.
A hand full of flowers is on my balcony floor. They have been tied together in a handmade bouquet.
Small white flowers.
Like the one that was left with the note.
I will my feet to move, to take me to the safety of my room, but they
