Running Scared

Chapter 5:

When I finally regained consciousness, Eric stood over me, brushing my hair back from my face with a worried expression on his. I blinked my eyes open and looked around me, disoriented. I recognized the pale pink walls with the dozens of musicians posters littered on the walls. I'm in my room, Eric is with me. Everything is ok.

“Thank goodness you're awake! When I arrived, the cops told me you just passed out. Something like... post traumatic stress? I don't know. But you're finally awake!” Eric's voice was so saturated with relief it was practically dripping from his mouth.

I pushed myself up with shaky arms. “How long have I been out?”

“Um... about twelve hours.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Holy crap!”

“Yeah, it's like ten right now.”

“You've been here all day?”

“Pretty much.” He shrugged.

“You're the best.”

“You know it!”

It was silent for a moment.

“So... should I get going or do you want me to stay?”

Company would be nice...

“You can stay. Just in case I need someone.”

“All right. Do you think you can handle yourself while I go grab some stuff?”

I looked at him with an incredulous expression. “Yes, now go.” I pushed him off the bed with my feet. “And pick up a movie while you're out.”

“You got it.”

He gave me a wink with a thumbs up as we walked out the door. Now that I was alone, the house seemed scarier since the incident earlier. Who is that good looking and yet so stalkerish? Impossible... right?

I stood up on shaky legs and headed towards the bathroom. Being out for half a day really made me need to pee. I walked out of the bathroom and went downstairs. Almost all the lights were out and it gave me the chills. Around every corner I expected him to walk out and take me. I flipped on lights as I went, giving me some comfort. I switched on the porch light for Eric and sat down on the couch. On TV some old Friends re-runs were playing and that definitely took the worry out of my brain.

Eric showed up twenty minutes later with junk food and a couple comedy's. I smiled as he handed me a burger and fries with a milkshake, he really knew how to make me happy. Sometimes he knew me better than I did. Guess that comes with being best friends for life. He walked over to the DVD player and popped in Grownups. My personal favorite. Any Adam Sandler movie rocked.

We both settled in the couch and I casually draped my legs over his. About halfway into the movie I found myself nestled up next to him, my eyes drooping closed. A little later I felt him carry me up to my bed. I felt the bed dip on the other side before I finally went under.

“Do you have to work today?” I asked Eric as we ate pancakes.

“Yeah, I gotta leave here... soon.”

“Awh, thanks for staying. It helped. A lot.”

“Anytime!”

We ate in silence as we watched morning cartoons. All too soon, Eric had to leave to go work up at the local country club. I held the door open for him and watched him pull away. He waved and I gave him a little flick of my wrist back. I closed the door and headed for my room, looking forward to a nice, warm bubble bath.