Unlike You

Twenty Two

Lawrence has gone to the back storage room to grab supplies such as flashlights and non perishables and such because the power went out not that long ago, leaving me to do whatever for a bit. I found a stack of paperback books beneath the coffee table so I decided I should read one since it's been a while.

I pick out a small book with slightly yellowing pages and pad over to one of the cushioned chairs that sit by the large window. The storm has not yet stopped or even calmed down, but I don't mind; I like how the rough winds and rain pound against the glass. It's calming me, putting me in the perfect mood to read.

I flip open the cover page and begin to read the small lettering. I've always been a speed reader, so by the time I feel someone tap on my shoulder, I'm already on page thirty. My eye move from the book up to meet a pair of familiar eyes. I smile and place the book upside-down on my lap.

"Hey, Mandie. How's everything?" I ask.

"Good, you?"

"Fine," I reply simply. "Just thought I should read a bit while Lawrence is distracted." Mandie sits down across from me in the matching chair, twisting her legs together in a crisscrossed position. She smiles sadly down at the book in my lap before meeting my eyes again.

"Isn't it kinda dark in here?" she asks jokingly. She pauses momentarily. "That was his moms," she says quietly.

"What?"

"The book. It was Lawrence's mom's," she explains. "She was always reading. Always kept a book in her purse if she were to get caught up in traffic or if she was bored at a family reunion. She was such a pointed person, yet she always seemed to make people happy."

Mandie sighs loudly, readjusting herself on the cushion.

"You remind me of her, ya know."

"Me? No, she sounds so nice and happy. If anything I'm the opposite," I reply.

"Maybe, but I see her in you. I get why Lawrence loves you so much," she says quietly before walking back behind the counter to help with the new supplies. I spot Lawrence walking in with a large box in his arms, seeming as though it weighs completely nothing. I laugh quietly at this then turn my attention back to my book.

Well, a lovely women named Hannah Eastwood's book. Such a shame I can never meet her.

~*~

After a good hour of continuous amounts of advanced words and small life lessons that this beautiful book possesses, I feel another slight tap on my shoulder. My eyes move up and I see a familiar pair of grey eyes that I have learned to love so much.

"Hey," I say quietly.

"Hey..." he replies, his eyes fixed on the book in my hands. I realize instantly why he's staring at the book in such a heartbreaking way.

I slap the book shut and smile uncomfortably. Lawrence's sighs and pads over to the seat that Mandie was sitting in earlier. I smile sadly at him, hating the way he feels right now.

Not that I know exactly how he's feeling, but I can imagine. I have both of my parents. I mean, yeah I don't have a great relationship with them, but he lost someone so close to him. If I lost some I care about like Dana, I don't know how I would feel. Heartbroken? Sad? Disheartened? Lifeless?

I don't know, but it's scary to think about.

"Mandie told me that this was your mom's book. I would never read it just to rub it in your face if that is what you are thinking," I ramble, a faint blush creeping up neck.

"Why would I assume that? You're too nice for that," he retorts. I raise my eyebrows at his remark showing that I can tell he's joking about that second part.

"I'm not nice," I deadpan.

"No, you're not."

"Hey!"

"I'm not going to win this conversation, am I?"

"Ha, nope."

Lawrence just smirks and shakes his head at the ground.

"Hey, can I ask you something?" I ask getting a bit more serious.

"Anything."

"How are we supposed to get you know who behind bars?" I ask timidly.

I see Lawrence physically tense at my words before his face goes stone cold. He begins to stand up, but my hand is quicker and I stop him from leaving the conversation.

"We need to talk about this sooner or later, Lawrence. Whether you like it or not, we need to find away to put him behind bars. He didn't just take a candy bar from the store, he killed my best friend," I explain in hushed tone.

I see a flash of emotions pass over his features and he sighs. He knows I'm right. He has no right to be out in the world, being so close to innocent people.

"It can't happen again. If it costs me my life, so be it. At least I died protecting girls like Amy. Anything to keep them alive," I state.

I watch as his face softens at my words. He kneels down in front of me, taking both hands in his. His eyes show so many emotions that it's hard to tell which are which. As I stare deeply into his eyes, I can see his face twist slightly and his eyes gloss over. My heart melts at the bad boys vulnerable side and I am refusing to break down.

"You... are the most amazing person I have ever met. You know that? You are willing to risk your life for other girls who are probably going to get sucked into this mess. How selfless can you get? I love you, Serendipity Hampton. I love you more than I have ever loved someone before."

I feel my heat pounding as my heart swells. Those are words I never thought I would hear someone say. Now here I am, in a small cafe in the middle of a thunderstorm, having someone I love dearly tell me they love me back. Today is a good day.

"I am selfish. I am not beautiful. I am not special in any way, shape, or form. I may not be anything worth fighting for, but when it comes to you..." I trail. I feel my voice becoming progressively more hoarse as I try to keep my tears at bay. "When it come to you, I feel... alive. Something I haven't felt in a long time. I love you Lawrence Eastwood. I love you with ever fiber of my being."

I watch as a single tear slides down Lawrence's cheek, his walls slowly crumbling. He grabs my face between his palms placing his forehead against mine and closing his tear filled eyes. I do the same, not caring about the people around us.

A choked laugh comes from Lawrence which eye my eyes opening instantly. A wide smile is on his lips as he stares at me, love in his eyes.

"What's so funny?" I ask confused.

"She was right," he answers.

"Who?"

"My mom. I always told her that I would be someone's prince charming. It was such a naive thing to believe, but I feel like we could conquer the world with my shining armor and noble steed. And my extremely beautiful princess riding on the back."

"You're such a mama's boy," I tease pushing his shoulder playfully.

"Oh, yeah?" he asks get jokingly more intimidating.

"Yep. Mama's boy! Mama's boy!" I smile.

"Oh, you're askin' for it, Ser," he warns before jumping to his feet and lunging at me. His hands are at my sides in an instant and his fingers roughly tickle my stomach. A loud laugh erupts from my lips as my self-control for volume is out the window with the storm.

I ignore the odd stares we get from the others who are probably get gradually more pissed as the lack of power is getting annoying. As I struggle to unlatch his fingers from my sides, I feel Lawrence's lips peck at my cheek quickly. Then my forehead. Then my other cheek. Then my nose. Then my cheek again. Then lastly my lips. As I begin to kiss him back, his fingers start to relax as he gets lost in our kiss. I smile as his hands reach for my face, pulling me closer to him.

"I hate you so much," I mumble with a small laugh.

"I love you, too, baby."