Protected

Chapter 17 - Protected

This is dedicated to my first fan.

I love you all so much. Thank you so much for all the support

I laid on Rory's bed in sweatpants and one of his too big t-shirts. He had insisted I wear something of his. We had to change after getting soaked from the rain while running into his house.  I liked wearing his clothes. They smelled like him. I took in another deep breath.

            "What time do you think you should go to Laurens?" he asked as he stroked his fingertips in the crook of my arm. I turned my head to look at him. He was propped up on his side facing me. There was pain and fear in his eyes. I didn't have to read him to know he felt the same way I did.

            I shrugged my shoulders. I should go around dinner time but I don't ever want to go." Why did he bring it up. I mean I had been thinking about it but voicing it made it so much worse. I was going to miss him so much. I had just spent almost 48 hours straight with him. It would be torture leaving. I stared at the ceiling. I wish I could make time stop. I would be happy to get stuck here forever. I had spent two nights sleeping in his arms. Would I ever be able to sleep again? Maybe Laurens parents would let Rory stay with me. I smiled.

            "What are you smiling for?" Rory asked.

            "I was thinking about you staying at Laurens with me."

            "Are her parents strict?"

            "No, but they don't want you seen at their house. They don't want Athalia's wrath to come down on them, too."

            He shook his head in understanding. "This sucks Rory" I whined. I turned into his chest and he wrapped his arms around me.

            "I know" he said kissing my head.

            "Lauren doesn't live far from you, just three streets over." I hadn't thought of this before. I could walk to her house in about five minutes if I cut through the yards.

            "Do you think I could pick you up for school?" he asked hopefully.

            "Yes! I won't be able to go that long without seeing you. I left so I could be with you. No one's going to keep us away from each other." I wish I could tell Lauren how much Rory really meant to me. She would help me more if she knew. Laurens parents were pretty easy going. If  Athalia and my mom didn't hate Rory he would be allowed there all the time. My Nana did say she explained the situation to them so maybe he could come over or they would let me visit him.

            "I have to go get Shawn" Rory moved to get up.

            "Wait" I climbed over him. "I want to go."

            "Do you think we should be seen together?"

            I was appalled. What was wrong with this boy? My mouth had dropped open so I closed it with a snap.

            He rolled his eyes at me. "I'm just trying to make this easier on you."

            "If I wanted easy I would be home right now" I snapped. He should know better than that. I don't care what people think.

            "Sorry. I didn't mean to cause you so much trouble" he snapped back at me.

            I flinched slightly. He was scary when he was mad. He had never taken his anger out on me before.

            "I'm sorry." He wrapped his arm around me. "I'm just really frustrated right now and I shouldn't be taking it out on you."

            "It's okay. I'm sorry, too."