Quantum Entanglement ~ Tamber

Chapter 12

Tara instinctively moved in front of Amber. She knew she was in a vulnerable position, but she needed to create a barrier between her girlfriend and Richie. She wanted desperately to protect her and keep him as far away as possible. She felt Amber doing the same for her, her entire body tense and on guard. Neither girl had been ready to see the slime of the earth walk in on the arm of Sam Carpenter, even though they both knew it was coming.

She knew she was supposed to be focusing on Sam. In this timeline, they hadn't just spent the past year annoying one another with their closeness. They hadn't seen each other in five years. She should be shocked and delighted to see her childhood hero walk through the door like she had been the first time, but she was too distracted. Her eyes were locked on Richie.

"Sorry, Sam. She's kind of out of it right now," Wes finally said when it was obvious that Tara wasn't going to say anything.

Sam kneeled at her bedside and asked, "How are you feeling?"

She remembered seeing her sister the first time around and the joy and relief that washed over her in that instant. It was enough for her to tear up as she looked over to her. Over the past year, Sam had been her rock. She had dealt with her through all her stages of grief and never gave up on her. She never took it personally when all Tara wanted was space, and she never stopped trying to keep her safe. Yes, it had gotten annoying, but at the end of the day, she always knew she was loved.

She felt a pang of sadness remembering the sister she left behind in the future. Had time stopped, contingent on her success in the moment? Or was Sam still sitting by her bedside, pleading with her to wake up? They were all they really had in the future, after all.

She shook the thought away, her eyes glistening with the memories.

"You came," she breathed out in feigned disbelief, and it almost felt as natural as the first time she'd said it.

"Of course I came," she assured her.

She felt a burst of love and appreciation for her sister in that moment, knowing all she'd go on to do for her – knowing how she fought to protect them both.

But then she followed it up with, "This is my boyfriend, Richie," and everything went sour again.

Tara stared at the curly headed man-child and seethed. She made sure to look him in the eyes, the affectionate look aimed towards her sister now dissolved into a venomous glare directed at him.

"It's so nice to meet you, and I'm so sorry if I'm intruding," he said sweetly. She might even think he was a normal guy if she knew nothing about him.

Meeting Richie the first time had annoyed her. There was her sister, who had completely ghosted her and shut her out, showing up with her boyfriend. She couldn't even be bothered to come alone. She had to choke down her disdain even then, not wanting to rock the boat in case it scared Sam off. Now she knew better.

"You are."

"Excuse me?" he asked in shock.

"Intruding. You're intruding."

"Sorry Sam. Like I said, she's not herself right now," Wes interjected. He lowered his voice to a whisper and said, "It's the meds."

"How nice of you to bring a date to the first time you've seen your sister in five years. Very considerate, Sam," Amber said sarcastically. She placed her hand on Tara's shoulder and squeezed gently to let her know she was there.

"Amber," Sam acknowledged dryly before turning her attention to Richie. "Do you mind waiting outside for a minute?"

"Yeah. Yeah, of course. No problem. I'll be right outside." He looked at Amber and Tara for just a second too long and Tara felt the grip on her shoulder tighten. "It was nice meeting you. Feel better."