Academy Everlasting

Take Comfort

Once dinner is set on the table and everyone is sitting down, I show the guys how the rice nachos are supposed to be eaten. Putting tortilla chips on my plate and scooping some of the mix on top of them. The guys follow suit and dig in. I don't have to wait long for their reactions. They all mumble their thanks and praise over the food, telling me how much they like it and how great it tastes. I blush bright red and smile down at my plate while I dig into my dinner as well.

"So, your furniture will be here tomorrow, except your bed frame of course," Gabriel chimes in around large bites of food. "What do you think of staying the night in one of our rooms so your bedroom will stay a surprise?"

I scrunch my brow in confusion. "But I already know what is going into the room, doesn't that mean it isn't a surprise?"

"You know the contents but not the look," Gabriel protests. "You haven't seen me work my magic yet."

"Mr. Coleman," Mr. Blackbourne chimes in, dabbing his mouth with his napkin and placing it gently back in his lap. "Perhaps Miss Sorenson is not comfortable staying in one of our rooms."

Gabriel's mouth pops open, then closes again. His eyes bounce from me to Mr. Blackbourne a few times before his cheeks redden and he stares down at his plate. I hadn't meant to embarrass him and I don't think I would be uncomfortable in one of the guys' rooms. I was okay in Luke's room when I slept in there, but I hadn't meant to fall asleep then. I don't know it if I would feel different staying with one of them on purpose.

I glance back up and realize that I have taken too long thinking over things and now all of the guys are busy talking about other things. I don't know if I should bring up the subject again or just let it go. Maybe I can sleep on the couch so no one is put out. I don't think they would notice if I did, I'm usually up before everyone.

I'm silent through the rest of dinner and clean up. I feel bad that I didn't respond to Gabriel, but I can't bring myself to talk to him about such an awkward subject. I doubt any of them would want me to take their rooms and I don't want special treatment. The couch is the best thing I can come up with because then my room stays a secret like Gabriel wants and I'm not bothering anyone.

The guys all go off to their own things after dinner and it isn't long before everyone is in bed. Nathan stay up with me to finish a movie we are watching before heading off to bed. I give him the excuse that I want to watch a bit more TV before bed, which isn't a lie. I fall asleep quickly while watching a cooking show on the television.

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A man is chasing me. His face is hidden in the shadows but I know he is going to hurt me if he catches me. I run as fast as I can but he is faster.

"I know your secret, and I will have it for myself." His voice is muffled and unrecognizable. "You have no place to hide, your boys cannot help you. You're mine."

I sit up, gasping for air and clutching at my chest. I try taking a few deep breaths, but I can't get my mind to stop swirling. My heart is racing so fast I am afraid it will stop all together from overuse. Without really thinking about what I am doing, I jump off the couch and race up the stairs. I go to the first room I can find and knock on the door quickly.

I hear shuffling on the other side of the door and I shift from one foot to the other, wiping away the tears that suddenly start to pour from my eyes. I don't want to be seen crying, but my dream really got to me.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, the door opens and a sleep mussed Gabriel is standing in front of me rubbing his hair. His eyes are mostly closed as he leans against the door.