Something Unexpected

Chapter 12

     Clarke's eyes never left Murphy. He was sprawled out on the ground, sound asleep, even though she had told him to take the couch several times.

     She sat there in silence for a few more minutes before the sound of his voice pierced the silence. "Two weeks, seven days, fourteen hours."

     Clarke lifted her head. Her eyebrows furrowed. "What?"

     "That's how long."

     "Murphy, you're not making any sense." His eyes were still closed, and he lay motionless.

     "That's how long I've loved you."

     Clarke stayed silent.

     Murphy took that as his queue to keep talking. "I love your hair. It's basically spun gold. And your eyes-- Don't even get me started on your eyes."

     Clarke smiled and climbed down from the old worn out sofa. She crawled over to him and sat criss-cross, pulling his head into her lap and beginning to stroke his hair. He opened his eyes and smirked, and she automatically knew she should be prepared for what he said next. "Your boobs are great, too."

     Clarke smacked him, and he laughed along with her. "I'm kidding. Well, I'm not kidding, but you know what I mean." She leaned down and gave him an upside-down kiss.

     They stayed like that, with their faces close so they could look into each other's eyes.

     "So. Either you actually hate me, or you haven't quite gotten the hint that it's your turn."

     Clarke leaned back up and focused on braiding the tangled hair. "Well," she started. "You let me braid your hair even though you kill everyone else who tries to touch you."

     "Name one person."

     Clarke chuckled. "Your sarcasm makes me laugh. That's reason two."

     Murphy closed his eyes again, and by the time Clarke had finished the braid she was working on, he had fallen asleep once again.