Never Knew I Needed

Chapter 40- Hero

Le'annaMarie's POV

*Friday Night*

My baby brother Carter and I would be spending some quality time together this weekend. Mom and dad had to go out of town- by out of town I mean a three hour drive away- to a banquet for my dad's old coach. I've never met him before but dad used to talk about what a great mentor and influence he was when he was on the football team in high school. They left earlier this evening and made their way to stay at a very nice and expensive hotel where the banquet was planned to be the next day. I told them to get out and have some adult time and that I'm responsible enough to handle myself and my brother. It took a while to convince them but they eventually agreed to it.

Tonight, Carter and I are watching our favorite animated movie, Brother Bear, while devouring buttered- and my non-buttered- popcorn. Around the middle of the movie, he fell asleep on my lap which was around ten o'clock. I seen this coming. I took Carter to his bed, prayed for him then gave him a kiss on his soft cheek.

"I love you, buddy." I whispered. I cracked his door and returned downstairs. I, first, texted my parents who were concerned if Carter were okay and I told them we were absolutely fine. Then I texted Haley who was over her cousin's house currently. She said they had just recovered from an intense pillow fight. I laughed out loud as I pictured Haley's mean faces she'd probably make while striking her cousin in their face.

I finished Brother Bear and called it a night. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I was tempted to text Andréas to see how he was doing. But I have to keep reminding myself not to worry because I know he is fine- he could just be busy. So, I didn't text him because it was late and that's not like me to text guys late in the night anyways.

I was watching a very depressing, old movie on Hallmark and began dozing off from time to time. Before I could remember to wrap my hair in a scarf, the last thing I remember is hearing my phone buzz but I never picked it up.

I woke up to a noise at my window. Once my vision came into view, I realized that what I thought was a tree branching tapping against my window...was really a hand. My heart instantly beat rapidly and I grabbed my phone to call 911. But two text messages from Andréas stopped me from hitting the call button.

Andréas: i need to talk to you...

Andréas: i'm at your window

I was confused as to why he didn't use the front door but then again he doesn't know my parents aren't home. He made his way through the window and before I could yell at him for how inappropriate this was, I didn't say a word. He had tears in his eyes and he looked like he would break down at any second.

"Before you say how inappropriate this is or crazy this is...please just listen...my Aunt Cecelia had called me over to her house earlier this evening because she said had important news..." He said and he wiped his face with his hand and sniffed.

"Andréas...?" I asked and he blew out a long breath.

"I didn't think she was going to tell me my abuela is dead..."

"No..." I covered my mouth.

"She's gone...LeMarie...she's freaking gone..." He suddenly burst into silent tears.

"Come here, Andréas," He walked over to me with weakness and crawled in the bed with me, "I'm so sorry..." I said as I let him lay his head on my chest.

"This can't be happening..." He said, "it's not fair...I never got to see her..." He said angrily, "no one told me she was sick..." My heart broke at his sorrowful voice.

"I know it hurts...I'm so sorry." I held him tighter and he did the same to me. I glided my hand gently through his hair to calm him down and he eventually became relaxed.

"It's gonna be okay..." I said.

"I can't do this anymore. I can't-"

"Shh, just relax...just listen..." I wiped away his tear and began singing "Hero" by Mariah Carey. He held onto my waist tighter and I continued to stroke his head as I sung. He eventually fell asleep and I thought about waking him up but I didn't want to make him leave- not when he is at a low point like this. There was no telling what choices he could make.

The air from his nostrils tickled my bare arms and I flushed pink when I realized how he comfortably lay on my slightly exposed, chest. The night I choose to wear a tight v-neck to sleep. I ignored the feeling of awkwardness which was replaced by comfort.

Tonight I saw a side of Andréas I've never seen before. I've seen him angry- which is not pretty- but seeing him completely broken down is probably one of the worst things having to witness. When he is at school, he puts on this act that makes him seem untouchable, dangerous and bold. However, tonight, I've seen him cry real, meaningful tears and a side that no one would've thought existed in him. Losing a love one is hard for everyone, but the way Andréas reacted, showed how broken and incomplete he felt when he found out his grandmother was gone.

It's so hard seeing the ones you love go through things like this.

I used the word love with Andréas. And it's true- I love him as a friend but I don't think I can see myself saying I love him as anything more. That is a subject very unfamiliar to me.

*****

I wake up the next morning and Andréas is no longer present. He didn't say anything to me...he just left. I quickly sat up resulting in altered vision for a few seconds, and hurriedly searched for my phone under my covers. Once I spotted it, I checked to see that it was only seven twenty in the morning and saw a text message from Andreas.

Andreas: Hey LeMarie...thank you for last night...I'm sorry for interrupting your sleep, though- going home to my passed out father wasn't an option and I didn't know where else to go...your angelic voice really put me at rest but that song was incorrect. The hero is not inside of me because you truly are my hero...god, Le'annaMarie, you really don't understand how much you mean to me and how much I care about you...you're always on my mind- your beautiful smile, laugh- every other perfect characteristic about you...you really have me. But...there is one thing that is keeping me from getting closer to you. It has nothing to do with you but it's something very important you need to know about me...I just can't find the right way to tell you...anyways, I just want you to trust me if I start becoming more distant from you. I know that this text is all over the damn place but with me, that's all I am- a huge mess.

His text had me all over the place with my feelings. First his comment about being a hero to him made my heart melt then solidify again to leap with joy. Then he confessed deep feelings for me- that I hinted- but never knew existed. He says that I have him...but what is that exactly suppose to mean? I'll ask Haley.

But he brings up that secret that he has yet to tell me. And I begin to feel slightly angry about it. Why does he feel that keeping this secret from me, means he has to distance himself from me? It just doesn't make sense.

My frustration was forgotten when Carter walked in my room while rubbing his eyes.

"Hey bud..." I said as he climbed in the bed with me.

"Hi, LeMarie." He said sleepily. I craddled his small figure and kissed his cheek.

"You still sleepy? Why are you up so early?" I asked him.

"I wanted you." He said.

"Aww...well, there's nothing wrong with that. How about we sleep until nine then get up and make breakfast?"

"Ok!" He said and I smiled back. He laid down beside me and we both fell in a deep sleep.

                     ****************
How did you like the chapter?

Please comment and vote!!!