The fire inside

Chapter 14

"I see you didn't burn anything down," my mom said with a chuckle.

"I may not know how to cook on a grill, but I know how to use my powers." I smiled smugly then Trent and I walked into the living room to watch a movie.

"So what do you want to watch?" Trent asked.

"Anything just no clowns." I shuddered at the thought.

"Oh yeah," Trent said smirking. "You're afraid of clowns."

I picked up one of the couch pillows and threw it at him. "It's your fault."

"You didn't have to watch Stitches with me."

"You called me a baby and said if I didn't watch it I was a baby for life!"

"Okay so it was my fault. Sorry." He put in a movie and sat on the end of the couch. He put his arm out and looked at me expectantly. "Come over here, Ellie."

I smiled and snuggled into his side like I use to as a kid and the movie started. Of course he picked Carrie. He knew I hadn't seen it yet and I would only watch it with him just like I did with all scary movies.

At the end of the movie I was very disappointed. It wasn't scary at all. I hated how everyone was so mean to her and how they treated her because she was different. A freak a small voice in the back of my mind said. Just like you. The a thought came unbidden into my mind.

I got off the couch and walked into the kitchen. I got a bottle of water out of the fridge and downed it as fast as I could.

Trent walked into the room looking concerned. "What's wrong Ellie?" He walked closed to me and I backed away.

"Nothing," I lied.

He quickly closed the distance between us and grabbed my upper arms. "I know you," he said sternly. "You thought of something after that movie. What was it?"

"Nothing. I just didn't like it." I crossed my arms as best as I could, with him holding me and refused to look into his eyes.

"Ella, please tell me what's wrong." I heard the concern in his voice and I exhaled in defeat.

"I'm just like her."

"Who?" He looked at me confused.

"Carrie," I said softly. "I'm a freak just like her."

"Elaine Jasmine Perry!" I couldn't help but to look into his eyes. "You are NOT a freak! Do you understand?" I could see the anger in his eyes and I just nodded. "No. I want to hear you say it."

"I understand."

"No. I want you to say that you're not a freak."

"Why? I am a fre-"

"NO YOU'RE NOT!"

"Fine. I'm not a freak. Happy?"

"Immensely." He pulled me into a hug and kissed my head.

"Trent, it's getting late and I'm tired."

"I'll make you something to eat."

"Thank you, but-"

"No buts. You need to replenish your strength. What would you like?"

"Just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, please."

"As you wish ma'am." He smiled and started moving about the kitchen. He came out a few minutes later with a large plate with a few heart shaped sandwiches and some chips. "I figured we could share a plate. If you don't mind?"

"I don't mind." I smiled at him and took a sandwich. "Thank you, Trent."

"It's nothing Ellie. Really."

"I don't mean the food. I mean... before that." I looked at my sandwich a little embarrassed.

"It was nothing. I was just doing my job."

I smirked. "Oh you have a job now?"

He laughed and said "Of course I do. It's protecting you."

"I can protect my self," I protested.

"From everyone except for yourself."

I looked down ashamed. "Oh. That."

"Hey." He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. "That's why you have me." He kissed me softly.

We finished our sandwiches and chips and went up to my room.

"So are we going to sleep in your bed or am I occupying the guest bedroom again?"

"That's where you slept last night?"

"Yeah. No biggie. I didn't want to make you sleep in the same bed as me if you don't want to."

"Oh shut up and get ready for bed. You're sleeping with me."

He laughed and kissed my forehead. "Anything you say Ellie."

We got changed and I put my hair up.

"I hate your hair like this," he said pulling the hair tie out of my hair. "You look better with your hair wild. It reflects your personality." I blushed and he got into the bed. I fallowed him and he pulled me into his arms. I turned off the lamp and Trent whispered "goodnight, Ellie. I love you."

"Goodnight. I love you too, Trent."

Then we drifted off to sleep.