The Insiders

Chapter 27

Chapter 27- Sharlene

"Shar!" Coren shouts after me. Normally I would turn around and run to him, but I can't, not right now. I don't want him to see me this way. I'm too vulnerable. I hate crying by myself even. It's just announcing that the world won. You might as well wear a bright neon sign that says "I GIVE UP".

"Sharlene!" Coren repeats his voice closer this time. He's faster than me, it'll be nearly impossible to escape. I begin to slow to a walk facing the slim chancd I have but a door appears on my right. It's a dark blue door that I've never seen before. I quickly open the door and jump in, shutting the door behind me. A few things fall in the dark room which then help me to determine that the room is a supply closet. I slam my back against the door and slide to the ground. I wrap my arms around my legs bringing them to my chest. I let my head rest on my knees and begin to cry. I try to ignore my thoughts but it's too hard. It hasn't even been a day of secret keeping and lies to my friends and I'm already breaking. I need to toughen up. This is my life now. 'but you didn't choose this, your parents did.' my subconscious adds in. Before I can react I hear Coren's soft knock at the door.

"Shar."

"Ya." I manage to say between my sobs, Though the sincerity in his voice makes me cry even more.

"Can I come in?" He asks softly. I try to control my crying but it's getting worse.

'No.' I put in his head so he doesn't hear the pain in my voice. Suddenly there's a loud thud behind the door.

"Coren!" I scream springing up and placing my hand on the door knob.

"It's fine! I'm alright!" I hear him say above my sobs, stopping me from opening the door. I sit back down and bend my legs to the side leaning my head against the door.

"What was that?" I ask becoming calmer now that he's okay, but the tears still come.

"I sat, sorry the strength has been on high the last few days." He laughs slightly, but somehow manages to sound sincere at the same time. That's one of the best qualities of him; he makes me laugh when I can't imagine a smile.

"You're staying?" I ask, my tears slowing down.

"I'll always stay with you." Coren promises.

"Where are you on the door?" I ask, wanting to be closer to him, but remain hidden.

"My head's in the middle of the door," I move my head towards the spot. It's warm like I can feel him, but I'm nearly positive that that's impossible.

"My back takes up the rest of the door." I can feel his smile from here. I turn my back to the door, pressing my body against it to possibly feels more of his warmth.

"And my hand is slipped under the door for you." I peer down to the door to see just his fingertips sticking out of the crack between the door and the floor. I place my hand on top of his. His fingers gracefully move around mine sending an instant smile to my face. I stare at our fingers and think about how naturally they move as if they're meant for eachother.

"You know you don't have to be by yourself right? I'll always be there for you. No matter what you do I will still be there beside you. I never want you to be by yourself. I know life is difficult, Hell our lives have proven that hundreds of times, but I want to be the one thing that isn't. I want you to know that even when life throws obstacles in your life, you don't have to be alone. I'll be there. I'll be there whenever you need me. I'll be there until you die, and I'll make sure that day is far, far away. I won't let anything hurt you, and if it does we'll be hurt together because that's how this works. When you you're hurt, I'm hurt. When you're sad, I'm sad. I can't imagine being anything without you. You're a part of me. I'll never understand how you became such a big part, but you did, and now i'll never let that go. I'll never let you go." I'm speechless. I pull my hand away and quickly stand up. I swing the door open. Coren has stood up too. I stare into his eyes as I try to figure out why I opened that door. Before I can even think, I launch myself at him and begin to kiss him. At first he's shocked, I can tell by the way he doesn't move, but then he quickly parts our lips for a quick breath then quickly swoops back in. I wrap my arms around his neck as he places his around my waist pulling us closer. Our kisses become slower adding more firery passion in each touch of our lips. He guides us around to the wall across from the door and presses my back to it, but our lips never lose touch. A small moan escapes from me followed by a hard gasp. Coren slowly pulls away as he realizes his strength was too much again. I move my hand to his chest and lets my lips linger along his in a smile, teasing him.

"I really need to practice controlling my strength." He whispers still staying close to me and breathing heavy along with me. He moves his hands onto the wall on either side of me. I move my arms around his back pulling him closer. Kissing him helps. It makes the pain melt away with every kiss, every centimetre closer we get, and I love him for that.