Need You Now (Watty Awards 2014)

Chapter 31

 He looked at me like I just ate a dinasour. 

"What?" I questioned, as I practically shoved the Big Mac down my throat. I was starving. Chelsea hadn't gone shopping for groceries since our parents were on vacation for two weeks and we offically had an empty fridge. All we had to eat was Nutella and crackers, and I'm sorry, but that was not enough to feed me until they got back. 

"Slow down, Sarah," Eric chuckled, taking the sandwich and popping pieces of it into my mouth, his dimples showing as he smiled at me. It had been officially 2 months since he got out of the hospital. I cringed at the memory of the gunshot going through my head but I shook it away, not wanting him to worry about me anymore. 

                        But I couldn't stop thinking about it. And that was my biggest problem, because the images of all that blood on the floor and his father's gun disappearing with him clouded my head most of the time we were together. He hated it when I looked at him like he was in a hospital bed, but it was hard. It was like everytime I looked at him I saw him falling on his bedroom floor. It was going to haunt me for a while. 

"You two are just sad," Chelsea smirked as she walked into the room, seeing Eric feeding me my Big Mac. I roll my eyes as Markis follows behind her, a cigarette hanging from the edge of his mouth. You know how I said that he was treating her well, and that he really cared about her? Well, yeah that all went to shit when she told me she lost her virginity to him two weeks  ago. All they do now is fight, and the majority of the time it's because Markis can't keep his dirty hands to himself. 

                         Eric nodded hello at Markis and Markis blew him off, pulling Chelsea on his lap, his hand on her thigh. I looked at him in disgust, my eyebrow raised at Chelsea. She was giving up on herself, basically letting him have her when he wanted because she hated the fighting that occured if she didn't. It disappointed me that she wouldn't have more self respect than that but it's her relationship. I can't medle without her getting pissy about it. 

"So, I heard your mother is going to get bailed out by her sister in Orgeon," Markis said bluntly and cold, blowing the smoke out of this mouth. Eric coughed, walking outside so he could avoid getting the smoke in his healing lungs. 

                        I hadn't thought of my mother since she was arrested the night I was in the hospital. All of my fear for her came rushing back all at once and I found myself short of breath, feeling the sting of her belt on my arms again. Chelsea slapped Markis's arm and sat down by me, rubbing my arms. 

"Baby, it's not going to happen. Markis was just cracking jokes," she said softly, glaring at Markis, "Weren't you?" She said cold enough to send chills down my spine. He nodded, shrugging. "Yeah, sure." I've never wanted to hurt someone so much in my entire life than in that very moment. 

                   Eric came back inside once Markis left, taking his medicine perscribed by the doctors to help him heal faster. I walked over to him sighing, wrapping my arms around him for my own comfort. I felt his heart beat against my ear, and his calm heartbeat finally met with mine, my breaths finding his rythmn. He smiled down at me, and I felt his lips against my shoulder, kissing my skin softly. 

"Your safe with me," he whispered agaisnt my ear, causing a long sigh to escape my lips. Even when he didn't know much about what was going through my head, somehow he could get somewhat of a picture. I nodded against his chest before kissing him, breaking the hug. Chelsea had exited to her room as I cleaned up the mess in the kitchen. 

                          

                         That night, I was laying in bed, Eric by my side. He had to be there. After everythign that had happened, by subconscious couldn't be trusted by itself. I couldn't sleep much, never really could since my dad died, but at least it wasn't the same. I was safe, but the thougt of my mother getting bailed out of jail, and the possiblity of her being free to find me, scared me to death. It made my adrenaline pump and my hairs to stick up on the back of my neck, a cold rush to fall over me. 

"Sarah," Eric whispered in his sleep. I turned my head to face him, as I laid out under the silk sheets. I kissed his cheek in reply.

"Calm down," he added, pulling me by my hips to him, allowing my head to rest on him. Again, I followed his breathing and his heartbeat, slowly allowing me to calm myself. The fear was still there, but if was contained. For now at least. 

                       I didn't get any sleep. I had major bags under my eyes and my hair looked like I had stuck it in a tornado overnight. Eric however, woke up way too cheerful, picking me up over his shoulder when He fist woke up, smiling. I pounded on his back, groaning. 

"Let me down, Eric!!" I fussed at him, not letting myself kick my feet, as they were near his chest. He only laughed at me. Of course. He set me down at the kitchen counter and immediatley fixed me a cup of coffee. 

"Morning to you too, grumpy," he chuckled, his eyes full of ammusement. I stuck my tongue out at him, kissing his cheek. I saw a hint of pink touch his cheekbones, making my heart jump and my smile widen. 

"Did you get any sleep last night?" He asked, sitting by me, his feet resting on my legs. I sighed, taking a long sip of my coffee. He knew I didn't sleep last night so it aggravated me that he would question me on it. 

"No." I said simply, hoping he would drop it. He did. Instead he kissed me. He tasted of coffee and a hint of mint, which I loved about him. I cupped his face in my hand, my coffee cup landing on the countertop gently, my hand lowering. 

"Better?" He asked, pecking my lips again. I nodded, a grin creeping onto my face. 

"Better."