Where the Skies are Blue

Chapter Sixty-Three:

Sam slides next to me with a banana in one hand and a cup of orange juice in the other. "So, about last night." He shoots me a sly grin, and I roll my eyes. "Crazy night, huh? Did he talk book dirty to you? Was that what won you over?"

"Yes, Sam, we were laying there, and all of a sudden he started reciting entire lines from The Hobbit, and I just couldn't control myself. It just did something to me." I proceed to fan myself before piling some fresh fruit onto my plate.

"Damn, I probably would've done the same. His book talk makes my knees weak."

I laugh and bump my shoulder into his.

"Honestly though, all jokes aside, he seems really happy."

I look at him. "You think so?"

"Uh, yeah, he's smiling and talking. Two things he never does. At least not for a long time. He shut down after the accident. I was really worried for a while."

"Worried how?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. He was so different and blaming himself for what happened that...I don't know, I thought maybe he would hurt himself or something." He looks at me with a pained expression. "None of us could get him to talk about anything. Then he just stopped coming around altogether. That's why we haven't seen him in so long. He shut us out. But seeing him with you, it's like you woke him up. Thank you for that. I'm glad he found you."

My eyes catch Ender moving into the kitchen, dropping our bags in the doorway. It breaks my heart to know how much he's gone through. How much pain he's been in. I can't imagine how hard it was to lose both of his sisters. Then his father abandons him and his mother once more. I hate it. I want to take all his pain away.

"I love him." I admit to Sam. "I genuinely care about him."

"Good, I can see it."

"Thanks for being so nice to me." I give him a small smile. "I'm really happy he has friends like you guys in his life. People in town are assholes."

"Yeah, I wish they'd see how good of a guy he is."

Ender approaches us. "I'm ready when you are."

"Is that a sex code for you two? If so, good thing I brought you a goodbye present." Sam smacks some condoms into Ender's hand. "Always be prepared, buddy."

Ender's cheeks flush. "What would I do without you?" He deadpans and quickly slips them into his pocket, just like the kitchen is full of people.

"You'd still be a virgin." Sam teases.

Ender pushes him. My head falls back with laughter. "For fucks sake." Ender shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips. "Okay, on that note, let's head out."

I hug Sam goodbye and follow Ender towards his car. I wish we could stay here. Escape all the people where we live. Never having to see them again. Being here has almost made me forget the harsh realities that await me back home. I really don't want to go back. I don't want to deal with Hunter and his friends any longer. I don't want to be scared all the time.

I don't want to deal with Katherine and her toxic bullshit any longer. Why can't I just escape my life and be brand new somewhere else? I want a new life with Ender. Far, far away.

"You pick the music." Ender says, handing me his phone to put on a song. "Thanks for coming with me."

I look over at him and grin. "There's no place else I'd rather be." I'm still on a high after last night. A shiver runs down my spine as I remember Ender's hands on me. How he felt. How amazing it was. Unlike anything I've experienced before. I didn't feel forced or pressured. I felt in charge. I felt more happiness than I even know what to do with. He made me feel beautiful, wanted, and loved. Not rejected or ugly. He didn't make me feel disposable after. Sex with Hunter left me feeling horrible about myself. All I wanted to do was shed my skin.