Before I go to sleep

Chapter 4

 I petted mittens ears while I tried to block out the frightening images and sounds on the TV screen. At times I would brush arms with Michael and I kept trying to make my shoulders sink in, drawing my arms into my body. I was doing my best not to touch him. His leg was just a breath away from mine. The almost touch made my heart pound.

                "For goodness sake, Annette you're going to miss the best part. Open your eyes," Olive hollered, throwing a piece of popcorn a me.

                It smacked me right in the forehead. I glared at her, but she only burst out in giggles. "There's isn't a best part in this movie." That was the truth; it only had dangerous cannibals feasting on innocent and helpless people.

                "Are you kidding? Watch this." She pointed at the screen.

                I couldn't and scrunched my eyes closed, wishing I had earplugs to block out the agonizing screaming of the actors. Without meaning to, I swung my arms wildly, effectively knocking the wind out of Robbie and smacking Michael in the face.

                "I'm so sorry," I said sliding up my glasses looking from Robbie to Michael.

                "I-uh-it's-uh-okay," Robbie said between gasps.

                "It's fine. No harm done," Michael said rubbing the side of his face the corners of his mouth lifting.

                I blushed again and I held a palm to my cheek, pretending to rub it so I could hide the redness. I looked away from his smile and my eyes collided with Sammy's knowing grin.  When everybody's attention went back to the screen, Sammy inconspicuously made hearts with her hands and pointed at Michael and at me. I blushed profusely. Then to my horror she started blowing kisses our way. Oh gosh, she was going to kill me from embarrassment.  To make matters worse, I looked up and found him watching our interaction. Someone shoot me, now! I screamed into my head. He smiled at us, his knee tipping off mine, I froze.

                Oh, crap. Those few second that his knee touched mine felt like an eternity.  I shake my head, feeling my eyebrows creasing; it isn't for me to take notice of anyone, let alone a boy like him. Finally the movie ended and I could feel myself relaxing. I checked the clock hanging above Olive's fireplace and saw that it was nearly time for me to go.

                "Hmmm... it's about time for me to go," I said looking at Olive.

                "What? Why?" she whined.

                "It's getting late beside I promised my mom I wouldn't be late." I said running my fingers through my hair.

                Sammy bends down and starts tying on her sneakers.  Robbie stretches next to me.

                "Sam, I'm riding with you," Robbie says standing up.

                She nods her head in agreement. We say goodnight to Olive and the boys and head out to the car. First we drop off Robbie at his house due to the fact that Mick his boyfriend had borrowed his car for the night.  We drive the fifteen minutes back to my house and talk about the movie and what we thought of the boys. It's still a bit early when we pull up to the house, and I can see Sammy dying of curiosity.