The Promise

Chapter Twenty-Nine

A/N: Sorry for the hiatus. It's just a lot going on in my life right now. No excuses, just multiple hospitalizations, changing jobs, going back to college for another bachelor's. . . 

Unfortunately, our summer came to an end as the dawning of the school year occurred. That meant that I couldn't spend as much time with the guys, just a few hours because I needed sleep. Thankfully, I was able to spend most of Friday and Saturday nights with them since I could sleep in the next day.

Within three months of being in Santa Carla, I was gaining weight, steadily. I was actually eating, had an appetite. I was now around 105.4 pounds. Mom and the four guys were extremely proud of my progress, always full of praise whenever I would eat something.

Sam kept insisting that it was strange that my boyfriends couldn't pick me up from school. He would wave the Vampire Comic underneath my nose at every chance he could get. I always fluffed off his reasoning of vampirism, though, I couldn't deny it was weird. One day, I stole his comic and read about the living dead Sam was obsessed with. It was an interesting read, but I've seen all four guys eat garlic, no one had to count rice if it spilled before them, and I'd seen their faces in my bureau mirror.

One Friday night in October, they were taking me home after we had fun on the town. All the midterms had sucked the life out of me, therefore, they wanted me to be able to do something fun. Instead of constantly studying. Though, the four guys were able to help me with studying my senior classes.

Shockingly, Marko was the best at helping me with mathematics. He was patient while he explained the formulas. Sometimes, he'd smirk as I'd get lost in my thoughts while staring at his head of golden curls, but Marko was an excellent tutor. With Marko's help in understanding the formulas and reviewing the homework, my grades in math rose. David's specialty was science class! He loved to read the chapters before the work. Then, if I had any questions about the homework, David would explain the situation. Dwayne loved reviewing my literature assignments, though it was more debates about the latest books. Paul, well, he helped with history. By help, I mean he would stand in the cave and do inaccurate monologues about the most outrageous situations in history. Dwayne would roll his eyes, shoving the blonde with the wild hair, while I fell off the couch, dying of laughter.

Even though I knew these four were cruel to others outside their circle, they were totally sweet towards me. I'd seen David threaten a group of Surf Nazis, the sound of his voice causing my blood to curdle, then he would turn towards me with a faint smile and gentle touches. Marko was one of the cruelest, I'd come to learn. I watched Marko bash a kid in the head with a napkin holder just for commenting about me. Marko laughed the entire time the kid cried, holding his hands to the bleeding gash on his forehead.

Regardless of how my blood curdled in those terrifying minutes, my heart warmed every time they turned their gentle caresses onto my skin. I knew how deadly their touch could be; it only proved they felt something for me. Not one of the guys had ever touched me in anger; David had snapped a few times but apologized profusely.

I had fun just losing myself in one night of no studying. Mom told me to leave the house and have fun, but she took my bag. She said I didn't need to take any textbooks with me tonight, and Paul had whooped, kissing Mom's cheek. Therefore, that night had been filled with fun, laughter, and going on rides. Even though the tourist season was over, it was still warm enough that most amusement rides were open.

Once we had arrived at Grandpa's house, the guys cut the engines to their bikes. David was the first at my side, offering a gloved hand to help me down from Marko's bike. I leaned down to gently kiss Marko, and then Paul swooped in like the whirlwind of energy he encapsulated. Dwayne waited his turn before David captured my lips in his smug smile curving against mine. Unfortunately, I was so lost in their company and touched that I didn't even notice the Volvo in the front yard until it was too late.