Stroked

-Chapter 10-

-Chapter 10-

~Amy~

After waking up to a massive headache and not yet opening my eyes I can hear noises from outside our room so I know I need to get up. I need to get myself together; I need to last the week. This much I have made up in my mind.

I slowly pull back the covers and stretch my arms. That's when I make contact with skin. My fingers rest on someone for a second and I peek open an eye. I shove my foot at Oliver to try to make him fall off the side of the bed but it doesn't do much. He barely moves at all from my kicking.

"Oliver!" I yell and receive a few mumbled up words, barely audible and understandable. I try kicking again and he moans, finally waking up a little.

"What?" He mutters, peaking open an eye up at me. His bare arms grip onto the pillow; either for comfort or support.

"Didn't I tell you last night to sleep on the couch?" I ask, remembering bits and pieces of last night once we got to the room. Oliver pulls on one of the white pillows more and closes his eye.

"It is one of the most uncomfortable couches I have ever slept on Amy."

I pull myself out of the sheets and let my feet hit the cold floor and the morning air. I run my fingers through my nasty, tangled hair and watch Oliver getting comfortable.

"Well..." I try to think of something I can say back but Oliver probably doesn't care anyways.

"Amy..." He says, shifting his weight in the bed.

"What?" I ask, already pulling out a dress from my suitcase and my black bra.

"Are you afraid of sharing a bed with a man?" He asks and I drop my bra to the floor.

I don't even pay attention to my burning cheeks when I bend down and fumble for the bra. As I pick it up I hit my back on the wooden desk and try to bite my cheeks through the pain and swear only in my head. I rub my hands on my back slowly.

"No, I just--I just don't know you that well. I mean what if you sleep naked?" I say and then cringe at myself and try my best not to envision it.

Really, Amy? Really?

I start walking to the bathroom for a morning shower and a quick change. I try my best to avoid Oliver for the moment.

"Oh, sometimes I do, but it depends."

I put a hand up to my forehead and try to not let him get to me and then head into the bathroom, wondering what his sudden change in mood is. I let the shower rid me of the morning's awkwardness and try to prepare myself for breakfast. Food always seems to help.

This time I have to be strong.

I have to prove them all wrong.

~~~~~~~~~~

When I get out of the bathroom; concealed in makeup and dressed, I see that Oliver is already ready in a black dress shirt and a pair of pants. His hair is brushed back a little and still, it seems odd looking at the drastic change, but he still looks nice.

"Hey, can you help me with the zipper?" I ask, usually I can do them myself but this sleeveless blue number is really tricky. There's a button in the way in the back that the zipper likes to latch onto.

I pull up my hair into my hands and Oliver walks over. He's busy adjusting the cuffs on his shirt and slipping buttons but he puts his hands on my shoulders.

"Just relax today Amy." He says into my ear and I hope that I can relax.

He puts his fingers to the zipper and then slowly zips it up. After zipping it his hands linger on my back for a little and then he awkwardly removes his touch. The whole thing sends confusion over me, but I try my best to ignore it yet again.