The Guardian

Chapter 21

Michael awoke to the sound of pots clashing around. Squinting his eyes sleepily, he walked into the kitchen. Lennon stood at the stove, her back to him, in his shirt attempting to cook bacon. He laughed lightly. She gasped and turned around dropping the spatula. This scene cause Michael to laugh even harder. "Michael don't do that!" Lennon yelled, a smile appearing. Michael smiled back and handed her the spatula that was on the floor. "So you're wearing my shirt?" He gave her a sly look.

Lennon shrugged. "Its my new favorite."

Michael grabbed a fork, now cooking the semi burnt bacon. "It's definitely my favorite thing on you."

She blushed and grabbed the carton of orange juice out of the refrigerator and pouring it into two glasses. "So," Michael said, breaking the silence. "What do you want to do about school?"

Lennon swallowed hard. "I can't go back there Michael I just can't."

He nodded. "So do you want to do homeschooling?"

She shrugged, "Can we try it?"

He grabbed the glass of juice she had poured him, and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Sure doll."

They ate the rest of their. breakfast in silence.

Michael sat on his laptop looking at tutors for Lennon. It was a shame that she had to be home schooled. They had been here since she was a freshman and she loved it here. Their house was right on the beach and they would go paddle boarding every day. It was always sunny and summertime here. Lennon loved it and Michael loved seeing her so happy.

He literally wanted to kill Sam. Lennon's nightmares had vanished and she was the happiest he had seen her in a while, until she met him. He probably never even liked her. He had probably just wanted her to sleep with him. Lennon was too good for any of the guys around here. She was so beautiful, and smart. She had personality. She didn't follow trends she made them. She wasn't just a copy like all the other girls, she was different. But she had trust issues, and the doctors said she would always have the nightmares. She needed someone who could understand her, and care for her, She needed someone like him.

Lennon pulled a pair of shorts over her bathing suit bottoms and tied her hair in a top knot. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a banana. Michael looked up from his laptop at her "Where are you going?"He smiled softly.

She peeled the banana.

"The beach. I haven't been since last Thursday and I wanna get some boarding in, since not that many people I know go on Sundays."

He nodded, giving her permission. "Be careful Lenny."

She smiled and grabbed her surfboard and paddle.

"Ok Mike, bye."

She walked to the water, smiling at the familiarity of the warm sand between her toes. It was a beautiful day and her favorite part of the beach was nearly deserted. She lay a towel down and placed her backpack on it, unzipping her shorts. She placed the shorts on the towel and checked her phone one last time before rushing out into the water. This was where she felt the most alive. Paddle boarding was definitely her favorite thing to do. It was so calming, not to mention, a great workout. She smiled to herself as she paddled out farther, then heard someone shout her name.

Michael sat on the couch watching a football game. He had found a tutor suitable enough for Lennon, so he decided to invite Jane over who was on her way. There was a light knock on the door, then Jane entered. She gave him a big hug and a kiss and sat in his lap.

"Is Lennon doing better?"

She inquired, giving him little kisses on the neck.

He smiled, shocked that she wanted to know.

"Yeah, I think so. Since when do you care?"

She bit her lip softly and gave him a smile.

"I figured when she gets better, you will be better, and we can do this." She smiled, moving her hands lower.

She placed his hands on her waist and closed her eyes kissing him hard. He kissed her, moving down to her neck and eventually carrying her into his room.

Lennon turned around to see Sam swimming up to her. Damn it! How could she have forgotten that he was a lifeguard? He caught up to her and held on to the base of her board as she sat on it.

"Len, I really need to talk to you."

She rolled her eyes. "You had your chance yesterday." He sighed, his blue eyes seemingly searching for the right thing to say.

"I know this was really wrong, and I would hate me to, but please don't press charges Len, you can't do that."

Lennon snorted. "And why not Sam?"

He ran a hand through his wet, sandy blonde hair.

"I'm a senior Lennon, I got accepted to UCLA!"

He smiled proudly. "But if you press charges on me, that all will be ruined. You'll ruin my future. Please Len, I'm begging you."

She stood up on her board and kicked his hands away.

"I'll ruin your future? Sam, you ruined my life! I have to be home schooled now, there are news reporters on my lawn everyday, not to mention, the whole school saw me naked! So I don't want to hear about ruining your future!"

She snapped at him, hatred visible in her eyes. She paddled back home.

Michael looked at Jane asleep next to him. He had imagined it was Lennon the whole time. It had gotten to the point where he couldn't even think about Jane anymore. It may be wrong but he couldn't resist it. He loved Lennon.

Lennon shut the door, wrapping her towel around her wet hair. She leaned her paddle and board against the den wall and walked to Michael's room. She opened the door quietly and peered in. Jane's naked body lay slightly clutched to Michael. Michael held his phone up to his face, his arm around Jane. She shut the door and trudged to her room.

Why does he like her? He can do so much better than her. She's not all that pretty, smart, or even nice. Lennon tried to quit thinking mean things about Jane, but she couldn't help but feel jealous though. They had been together for a while, but it never occurred to her that they had sex. That really upset her and she didn't know why. She pulled off her bathing suit and slipped into the shower. Maybe.... She was in love with him?