Love of a Tree Hugger

Chapter 32

Blaze POV

I am so glad my bruises were light enough for Lauren to cover them with make up. I didn't want Eric to be embarrassed the first time he takes his girlfriend in public.

As I look in the mirror one more time I like the finished product.

Lauren did an amazing job with the make up. She lent me a long sleeve high neckline bandage top and long striped skirt (see pic up top) and black strappy wedges.

It had only been five hours since I took the fast heal medicine but I am already feeling tons of better. I am only slightly stiff and sore. I think it helped that my injuries are only superficial.

"Lauren thank you so much for all your help today. I know I wouldn't have made it through today without your help."

"I helped you in the beginning because our boy asked me to and it was the right thing to do. But honestly I can now say I am very fond of you and I hope we can be friends for a very long time. Today you have proven without a shadow of a doubt you are dauntless."

"I love you Lauren" I tell her as I hug her. She is such a great person with such a big heart. I feel like we are sisters now.

"I love you baby girl" she replies choking back tears. "Now go get your man."

"Yes ma'am. You don't have to tell me twice."

As I walk back to Eric's I wonder if I am suppose to knock or walk in. Its probably better if I knock. When I knock I can hear Eric grumble. When he opens the door his mouth drops and his eyes get big.

"You look so amazing!"

"Well if I am going to be on your arm I want to look like I am worthy." I smile up at him. I know how important his image is to him so I want to put out an image that says I am strong and I am worthy to sit beside a leader.

"I am the one that is not the worthy. You took a beating today and here you stand stronger and more beautiful than before. You amaze me."

He gives me a light kiss on my cheek then takes my hand as we walk to the dining hall.

Right before we walk through the doors he stops me and looks me right in the eyes.

"Are you sure you are up to this? I can grab food and we can take it back to mine."

"No Eric. I have to face this head on. I can't hide."

As we walk in the whole hall goes quite like it always does when Eric walks in. But what happens next totally takes me by surprise.

Everyone in the room comes to the feet and starts clapping and yelling. I look up at Eric hoping he can explain to me what is happening.

He must have read my mind because he looks down at me. "They are happy to see you are okay. There is a lot of people who love you here. I am going to go make you a tray. Find us somewhere to sit."

As people start turning back to their friends and food all my friends start coming up to me with hugs. Its so good to see all my friends.

I sit at a table with Carter, Sophie, Zach and Lauren.

"Are you still going to be my date for the social?" Carter ask me.

Shit I had totally forgot about the social.

"Sorry Carter she is going to be my date. But I do know someone who wants to ask you out as a real date." Eric says as he puts my food tray in front of me.

Oh no! I think someone is about to get their feelings hurt. Carter hasn't come out and said anything but I have the feeling she likes women. Not that that matters to me.

Carter rolls her eyes at Eric. "Who would that be?"

I see Eric look over at Lauren. Lauren must know who it is.

"Thanks a lot Eric. Its me. I wanted to ask to the social. Don't feel any pressure to say yes just because we are in front of our friends." Lauren says nervously.

Oh if I am right and Carter likes women I hope she says yes. This would be perfect. I love them both so much.

"Yes I would love to be your real date to the social as Eric so politely put it." Carter answers as her and Lauren just sit and smile at each other.

"We have the day off tomorrow so let's go shopping for dresses. We can even get our hair and nails done." I suggest feeling more and more excited.

I look down at my tray to start eating. "Eric?"

He swallows his food and replies "yes dear?"

"How is it that my tray has all my favorite foods? This is all the stuff I would have picked for myself."

He blushes and says "you would be amazed at what you observe when you are in the food line."

I was right he had been purposely waiting for me to go through the food line. Today was my sixth day here and he already had observed everything about me. He already knew what I liked.

I wonder how observant he has been. "How do I take my coffee?"

"Two creams three sugars. You hate it black but you will drink it if someone gives it to you to spare their feelings."

I lean over and kiss him on the cheek. "You are the best."

I can see the blush start rising in his cheeks.

We sit there talking for at least a hour. The whole time Eric is rubbing my back where there is exposed skin between my top and skirt. It's so comforting and relaxing.

I try to hold it in but I can't. I am so exhausted. I yawn.

"Are you tired babe?" Eric ask me looking concerned.

I laugh and reply "yeah getting your ass beat takes a lot out of somebody."

I wish I could take that back because Eric stiffens up and looks so pissed.

"I am sorry I shouldn't have said that."

"No it's okay. I am just still shoken up by the whole thing." I can see in his face that he really is.

"Eric could you please walk me back to the dorms so I can get some sleep?"

"Sorry babe but you can't sleep in the dorm tonight. You may have a concussion and you need to be woken up every 3 to 4 hours. We can go back to the dorm so you can grab some clothes but you are staying at mine."

I can tell by the tone in his voice this was not up for discussion.

"Ok. Can we please go I am really tired." turning to my friends. "I love you all but I need some sleep."

Eric helps me up while my friends are telling me they love me and wishing me a good night sleep. At that moment I feel so very loved and cared for.

Eric and I walk back to the dorm in silence while I think about what all I should grab.

"Go get your stuff and I am going to let Four know what is going on."

Thankfully when I go into the dorm nobody is there so I don't have to explain why I am packing a bag.

When I am almost done packing I feel someone grab me and turn me around.

I look up into some very pissed off eyes. He grabs my wrist and I can almost feel his hatred radiating off of him. I am seriously scared.