A Veneer

Chapter 11: Gravity

Later that day Bella wanted to watch “Finding Nemo” so we all sat down and watched it with her. Aiden and I crowded together on the small couch called a love seat while the others got pillows and laid next to each other on the floor. Falling asleep after midnight and waking up around four a.m. my time had me exhausted. I fell asleep leaning on the pillow behind me, my knees to my chest and my feet on the other side of Aiden’s lap. Sleep felt good.

I still remember my dream. I was floating on my back in a body of water that seemed to go on forever. The water was clear and blue and warm. Suddenly, the calm waters became choppy and cold. I went under and I couldn’t breathe, I was running out of air. Pressure, it felt like someone was pushing down on my chest, holding me under. It felt like any minute my skull would implode.  

I woke gasping for air. Aiden hand places softly on my neck, I looked up at him. “You stopped breathing. What were you dreaming about?” he looked completely terrified.

“I was drowning,” I said in a quiet voice. I stretched out my legs still on his lap.

“Well, it was just a dream you’re okay now.” he nodded and moved hair out of my face.

I looked at the floor the pillows were still there but the bodies weren’t. “Where is everyone?” I asked.

“They’re in the basement.”

“Why?”

“Looking for movies or something.”

I just nodded thinking about the nightmare, drowning...no air.

“Hey,” Aiden used his hand to lift up my chin so we made eye contact. “You’re okay.”

I nodded again. “I know, I know.”

Just then Jeb, Cam and Bella can charging up the stairs from the basement, yelling and hitting walls.

“Shut up!” Aiden yelled back.

“Never!” Jeb and Bella yelled at the same time.

I moved my legs off Aiden as he stood up. He walked up to Jeb and Bella, threw Bella over his shoulder. “Put her down,” Cam warned with a smile growing on his face. I looked over at Bella and other than a reddening face she was fine. She was laughing and hitting Aiden’s back.

“Make me.” Aiden replied with a smirk.

“You asked for it.” Before I knew it Cam had picked me up off the couch and threw me over his shoulder.

“Put her down,” Aiden coaxed.

“Your girl for mine.” Cam said and Bella continued to laugh and squeal.

“I won’t give up that easy.”

“Aiden!” I yelled feeling the blood rush to my head.

“I guess this is war then,” Jeb said in his deep voice.

“I guess this is war.” Aiden repeated put Bella behind the kitchen table the same time Cam put me behind the couch. They walked to each other smiles growing and finally lunged at each other like the crazy young men they were.