And So She Fell (SAMPLE ONLY)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

I was gazing out through the large window of the storage room when I heard Jack drop the comforters on the floor.

"Is Paige mad?" I mentally kicked myself for asking, because I'd been telling myself for the past ten minutes that I didn't care, Yeah alright I do. I waited for his response but none came, so I turned to look at him out of curiosity. Maybe he got upset too. I know I would if I were in their shoes.

Jack swept the floor and then laid the beddings on the floor. I just silently watched him do it. It took him a long time before my makeshift bed was all set up and looked comfortable enough. Then he finally looked at me.

The way he looked at me sent my insides into turmoil and was all very unsettling. It would have been hard to deny that I was attracted to him, but being attracted and acting on it were two different things. It bothered me that he might think badly of me, but this was the only way I knew how to save face.

"Thank you," I said softly, desperate to break the silence he was determined to maintain.

He sighed and raked his right hand through his blonde hair, which looked almost white as the moonlight reflected on it. "Paige isn't mad, confused and embarrassed, maybe. She cleaned that room spotless and she was excited to meet you. You could have at least acted like the room pleased you."

I opened my mouth to reply but in reality, I didn't know what to say. So I just remained quiet. I took note though that Jack had given me a chance to explain my side and that was so thoughtful. I knew right then that he was the type of person who listened. I just wasn't the type of person who talked.

Jack smiled at my silence and left me alone to get settled. The floor was cold and I was sure I'd be nursing a backache tomorrow. Despite that, though, I seriously thought it was better. There's no doubt this country is beautiful, peaceful. My mom would have loved it here.

I fell asleep with my mind conjuring images of my mom.

***

I knew I was in there again, inside Caleb's car just after our prom night. I would never forget the smell of his cologne and his warmth. I loved seeing him, even if just in my dreams that eventually end up as nightmares.

I knew I was dreaming because there could be no possibility that he was alive. I so desperately wished he was, but no matter how desperate you are and how much you're hurting, you can't bring back someone you love from the dead.

"Why are you looking at me that way?" he asked, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. I was smiling, giddy and excited. I was just plain happy and contented.

"Do I have a reason to look at you this way?" I asked in return, which made him grin. He looked so handsome that night, all prepped up and he was even wearing a suit.

"If I didn't know better, I would think you're a creep. A sexy creeper," he chuckled, and I laughed.

"Can you stay the night?" I asked when I stopped laughing. He looked at me gently with his warm amber eyes for a moment, before continuing to drive.

"I would if I could, babe. But I really have to get back home before the flight." I sighed inwardly because I already knew that.

I slumped in my seat and pouted. I knew I was being childish, but I badly wanted him that night. I was ready to give it to him. It was the greatest gift I could offer him and was all that I had that he didn't already own yet. "But I want you to stay."