Ryder
After we get back from swimming, Alex is out back cooking some burgers. Grace ate 1 and a half. Alex ate 4. I are the rest which was 6 and the other half of Graces. Then we went back into the house and Grace put in a movie while I did the dishes and Alex went to shower. We were at the part in the movie when Bruce Willis was under heavy fire. I was washing a plate and I dropped it because I still have a little PTSD and I still thought I was back in Afghanistan. I immediately got into a defensive position. Grace must have heard the plate being dropped because she walked into the kitchen and then went back into the living room and stopped the movie. She walked up to me and I looked away. She touched my shoulder and I jumped. She asked me if I wanted to take a walk. I nodded and she went to write a note to Alex. She put it on the tv where she knew he would see it. We walked in silence for a while and then I pulled her to a stop. I sat down and pulled her under my arm. I gave her a look that said "Is this okay?" She just smiled and snuggled into my side. I grinned at her. I then said "I'm sorry I freaked out but it's just that I still have a little PTSD. Gun fire and loud noises remind me of my time in Afghanistan. I'm sorry again."
"It's okay. I understand. I won't do anything that you don't like. If I do just walk away. I will stop whatever it may be. Just like you said you'd save me, I will do my best to help you with anything. I know that we haven't known each other that long but I feel like I can trust you with anything and I feel like we might become more than friends eventually. I'm sorry if I weirded you out by saying that though."
"Thanks so much for understanding. Most people just give up on me when they realize that I have issues with certain things such as some action movies, video games, people shaking me awake as you saw. They look at me like I'm crazy and like I'm going to hurt them. I promise you that I would never intentionally hurt you ever. I also see us being more than friends so I know where you're coming from."
I kiss the side of her head and then for a while we just enjoy each others company. Grace then asks what I want to do regarding our relationship. I suggest that we take it slow and see what happens. She nods and says that sounds good. I stand up and ask if she wants to continue to walk with me. She says sure and stands up and I put my arm around her shoulder. I ask if its okay and she just nods. I ask about what she and Alex normally do while they're here. She says "We usually go to the beach parties at night and we do whatever during the day."
"Oh okay. Do you normally drink at the parties?"
"No not usually but sometimes I have a wine cooler or two but that's pretty much it. Why?"
"I don't want you going home with some guy and have him try to do anything to you."
"Awe! You're so sweet! But if I promise to stay close to you and never let my drink out of my sight will that help?"
"Yeah it will. Thanks. It's just that I've heard so many stories and I would hate myself if anything ever happened to you and I was there and I didn't do anything to stop it."
"Well don't worry, I will stay by you or Alex the whole time we are at any of the beach parties."
"Good."
I then kiss her lightly on the temple. Sorry. I'm just affectionate I suppose. If its weird I will stop."
"No it's not weird. In fact I kind of like it."
"Okay. Are we going to tell your brother about us liking each other or wait to see what happens?"
"We can wait a few days and see what happens. Then if we decide to start getting a little more serious we can talk to him and see how he feels about us."
"Sounds good."
"Well we should probably get back."
We turn around and start walking back. I tighten my arm around her shoulders instinctively because I see a group of guys heading our way. She returns the gesture and wraps her arm around my waist and leans into me to show that she isn't interested. We get back and Alex is watching Red and it's the same part that we were at when I freaked out. She looks at me as if to ask "Are you gonna be okay?" I just nod. She sits on the couch by Alex. I see her glance at me every once in a while to see how I'm holding up. I flinch every time there is gunshots or grenades or anything like that. Sometime during the movie Grace fell asleep. While Alex gets everything cleaned up I carry Grace to her room. She wakes up briefly while I am carrying her. I walk into her room and lay her on the bed. I whisper good night to her and then she falls back asleep.
