It Was Real
As we walked down the bumpy path through the woods, I can see that it was getting dark. We've been walking forever. Lauren had guided us through a path that was off roads so Dwellers couldn't spot us. The past few days I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. She was so interesting to watch. The way she smiled and the way she cut though the long hanging branches.
It was already dark and everyone was becoming drowsy. We arrived at what was once a clothing store and deciding to stay for the night. The store was trash but it was the closest thing to us. Dinah had Cierra and Max change their clothes into something more comfortable and clean.
We found a generator light and placed it in the center of the store. We used items from the store in place of beds, and I grabbed a couple of shirts to replace my pillow. This will have to do.
Dinah went behind the counter to savage anything that was usable and Max & Cierra followed. They found bags of chips and a twix bar. We hadn't seen real food in days and it was a relief to actually find some. We split the chips between the five of us. I walked over to Lauren who was sitting next to the generator searching through her bags.
"Chips? Dinah found them behind the counter" I said sitting down next to her.
"No thank you. I'm not hungry." she said looking back down into her bed.
What if she was the one who kept me alive? Think about it.. She saved us in the hospital so she knew we were there... It had to be her. I stared at her wanting to ask but didn't want to bother her. She could notice me staring at her as she smiled.
"I'm sorry for staring.." I said quickly.
"It's not a problem. I don't mind."
I paused for a moment.
"I've actually been meaning to ask you a question about something." I turned to her, now face to face.
As I talked I couldnt help but stare into her beautiful enthralling eyes. They were mesmerizing and everything about them made me weak. Her smile was another thing. When she smiled I couldn't help but smile too. She was so beautiful in words I can't even explain.
"I've just been trying to make sense of things for these pass couple of days. I woke up after this invasion happened because I was in a coma. But what doesn't make sense is that... I had no one to help me but yet I survive. How is that?"
She looked at me pondering before answering. Then she took a deep breath.
"It was me. Everyone had abandoned you and the rest of the sick people in the hospital so I stayed."
I was startled. "Why would you risk your life for me?" I ask.
She hesitated as she ran her hands through her thick silky locks.
"Because... It was my fault you got into the accident in the first place."
I paused trying to remember what happened that night of my accident. Something had ran onto the road causing me to crash. But I thought it was an animal or something. Guess I was wrong.
"I took you straight to the hospital after that. They contacted your friend.."
She must mean Normani
"As soon as the Dwellers came everyone was forced to go and leave the sick where they were. But your friend wasn't giving up without a fight."
I smiled knowing that Normani fought for me and didn't abandon me. She wanted me to come with.
"They took her away with the others to find a place away from all this."
"Havens Peak." I uttered. Lauren nodded. I was so happy to hear that Normani got out and she had survived with the others.
I was excited now and I couldn't keep it in. I leaned over to Lauren hugging her around her waist squeezing her close. She was startled at first but then joined in.
"Thank you." I whispered
As I let go I was inches away from her face. My breathing had gotten heavier.
It was like the world stopped and we were the only two there. I only saw her and she only saw me. It was a perfect moment in time and I didn't want it to end.
"Thank you for saving me." I said the second time. My voice barely above a whisper.
In that moment I felt something and I had to see if she felt it too. I leaned in and kissed her.
Our lips locked together in a passionate kiss. It felt like no other. I grabbed her face as she grabbed my hips pulling me close. Her lips were warm and soft against my skin and I couldn't stop my heart from beating fast. Her soft gentle hands pulled me closer bringing our hips together. It felt like forever since I've kissed anyone. It was a perfect moment in time and I didn't want it to end.
Suddenly loud clapping noises came from the back of the store. Dinah, Cierra, and Max stood watching cheering us on. I climbed from off of Lauren and sat down next to her blushing.
"Aww why'd you stop!?" Dinah yelled.
Lauren started to blush which meant she was as embarrassed as I was.
----
Cierra and Max slept peacefully on there beds that Dinah had made for them. It was mostly made up of jackets and supplies she found in the back. Dinah calmly sat across from them reading a book she had found behind the counter.
It was quiet and for once peaceful.
I was sitting next to Lauren and we had been talking all night. I told her all about my life and she listened intently as I went on and on.
She was amazing. She was out of this world and I was lucky to be with her here in this very moment.
"What about you? What was your life like before all this?" I asked gazing into her eyes.
"I didn't really have a life before this. I was always cooped up and nestled and I never really had any freedom." she said as her voice became lower.
"But this invasion changed all that. I became free. No one was able to control me any more and I was finally free.." She smiled
You never really realize the good in your life until you see the bad in others. I tried to get Lauren to tell me more about her life but she seemed as though it was too hard to talk about. I didn't want to push her so I eventually dropped the topic.
By this time Dinah had fell asleep and Lauren and I laid next to each other preparing for bed.
"So that kiss.." Lauren started.
"What about it?"
"Was it real or was it just you thanking me for saving you?"
I paused not knowing the answer. I did like Lauren. I mean who wouldn't. She's strong, independent and gorgeous! I wanted to be with her in so many ways. But did she want to be with me? I had too know.
"A little bit of both." I said biting my lip.
She looked at me as we laid down with our heads against the pillows we had made.
She smiled looking up towards the ceiling laying on her back. She didn't say anything. She just laid there quietly staring at the ceiling.
I turned looking up towards the ceiling. Did that mean she felt the same way? I couldn't tell with Lauren. She was too hard to read. I couldn't tell what she was thinking or how she felt. I just laid there silently counting the ceiling panels as I fell asleep.
I could hear Lauren turning around in her sleeping bag whispering something towards my direction and then turning back around.
She must have thought I was fully asleep and that I wouldn't here her but I did.. And I'm glad I did.
