Withered Like a Rose

Chapter 4

                                                                   Chapter 4

    My eyes shot open and I gasped, all night long I had been having nightmares of Nate finding me here, in Dean's house. I found myself in darkness. In his unfamiliar house.  Something was tightly wound around my chest and part of my stomach. I yanked up my shirt and saw what looked like white bandages. That must mean my rib really is broken. I felt groggy and weird, like my bones were turning into jello.

    I looked around, and my eyes began to adjust. I was still on the couch, and there was a chair pulled up beside me. A slumped figure occupying it. Looking closer, I realized it was Dean. I pushed myself up, and looked at him. He was sleeping soundly. Or so I'd thought. So when I was sitting there staring at him, I hadn't expected him to move. He looked up at me fast, and I jumped about 5 feet in the air. "Oh gosh. You scared me!" I whispered to him. I didn't know why, but it felt weird disturbing the silence of this house.

    "Sorry! I didn't know you were up." He must've felt the same way I did, because he too, whispered.

    "Oh.. So. Is the rib broken?" Could you sprain a rib?

    "Most likely. By the swelling I think there's at least a crack in two of them. There's no way to tell without a visit to the hospital. But right now it's kinda late for all that. We'll go in the morning.. Kay?" Dean scooted closer to me, so he was hovering over me.

    "Okay.." My breath caught. I gazed up into Dean's brown eyes. They were like two delicious brownies, and they were fixed on me. He looked like he wanted to lean down and kiss me again. Honestly, I wanted him to. My heart fluttered at the thought of his lips against mine.

    He cleared his throat. "Um, are you thirsty?" Dang. I shook my head, disappointment blooming. He sighed, and reached out to touch my face instead. I stiffened as butterflies erupted in my stomach at such a small gesture. No no no no! I can't fall. Not again. Ashamed in myself for doing it, I reached up and pushed his hand against my face gently with my fingers. Looks like I'm not a very good listener. But why would this man go through all the trouble of saving me, just to turn around and do the same as Nate did? Who knows. It's often said that men's minds are too complicated to figure out anyways. They don't make any sense. A small voice in my mind reminded me. But then again, all men can't be the same. Right? In both ways I'm being stupid.

    I decided I was going to try and listen to the voice that I considered to be the stronger one. I slowly came back to reality to see Dean smiling down at me. His smile was radiant and it brightened the room. I tilted my head. "What?"

    "Nothing." He chuckled and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Electricty sparked between us. Breathing in, I reminded myself that I can do this. Dean was the exact opposite of Nate. I had been blinded by first 'love' when I'd met Nate. Now, I realized all of the little things Nate did that I had been blocking out when we were dating, because I didn't want to believe I'd fallen for the wrong man. I didn't want to believe I'd fallen for the devil itself.

    Dean makes me forget about my worries. My stomach fluttered with nerves. "Dean?"

    "Yes Abbie?" His eyes lit up so easily at the mention of my name. I broke out in a smile. I took a deep breath though, and let it fall from my face.

    I felt awkward. I didn't want to start this now. But it was kinda too late. I took yet another breath to calm myself. My heart was racing. It was so simple. I just didn't want him to tell me that I was crazy and it never happened. "Umm.." I hestitated. Nevermind! Change the subject Abbie. It's not a good time. "Can I have some breakfast? Kinda hungry.." I patted my stomach and smiled.