Growing From The Pain

7

"Lunch is ready," Lance's mom yelled from downstairs. I watched him from the window tending to the fields and working with animals on the grounds. He stuck a rake in the ground before wiping the sweat of his brow. He turned to me and smiled. His dirty white t-shirt was clinging to his body. It was about 12 so I took out my phone and took a picture of him. I sent it Veronica.

She immediately responded. "(+_+) stop ogling him(+_+)," it read. I blushed deeply. I didn't mean to. It was just the timing. I typed out "I'm sorry" and sent it. "It's alright. Thank you for helping." I put my phone away and head downstairs. At the table I find most of his family, but not him.

"Is Lance here yet?"

"He's putting away the tools," his dad replies. I rush to make sure he's alright. In the toolshed I find Lance holding a giant pair of pliers in hand. I walk over to him. From here I can smell his musk. He really was working hard. His skin was a little darker and shining from sweat. What drew my eyes was his shining chest.

"L-lunch is r-ready," I stagger out. Turning on my heel I rush out. I hear his footsteps close behind me. I make it to the door with him next to me. "You smell."

"Yeah, well, you're gonna have to get used to it." He pats me on the back and pushes past me through the door. He runs upstairs instead of to the table.

"What just happened?" I question to myself. I come inside and head to the table where an elaborate display of food is laid out across the table. I hear Lance's hard steps as he descends the stairs. When he turns the corner I see that his hair is wet and he has a new shirt on. I stare, confused, at him as he sits down and partakes of the meal.

I watch him eat large amount of food for the second time. I'm still in a little shock. The rest of the day I'm in shock as well. I watch him till away at the rows of soon to be food and fatten already fat cows and chickens. I stare at him in awe and wonder. He stands at full height while he wipes the sweat off his brow and makes eye contact with me.

He waves and smiles as if this is a normal everyday thing now when it only just started. I wave back and he goes back to work. I move out of the window and head downstairs. Veronica is sitting on the couch watching a show in front of a large tv. I take a seat next to her. "What's happening to me?" I look over to her expecting some wise answer.

"It's called love and you're falling in it. Deeply," she nonchalantly replies. "I can't blame you. He's hot now. And more mature too." I nod. Then I shake my head.

"I was nodding at the more mature part. Not the hot part," I say flustered. She only smirks. We continue watching the show based on our adventures. The door slams open and Lance comes rushing in. He curses and heads to the sink. His sister and I follow after him. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he hisses. He runs his left hand under some cold water. Getting closer I see a deep gash in his hand.

"I'll get you some bandages." I run upstairs and burst into the restroom. When I come back down he's sitting on the couch with Veronica. I sit next to him and grab the injured hand. I start to roll the bandages around it tightly. Blood soaks through the first two layers, peering just barely through the third. "How'd it happen?" I look up at him.

"I was putting away some tools when a spade fell. I tried catching it and it cut clean through my hand." He chuckles. "Didn't know they could be that sharp." I smack his forehead.

"How else would it be able to pierce the coarse ground?" He nods. He hisses when I tighten the bandage a final time. After cutting and taping the bandage he started to head out again. I stopped him. "Just rest for a bit. You'll be fine."

"But I still have work to do," he whined. He tries to get up again and again I stop him. "Fine," he groans. "But I'm sweaty and gross. Can I at least take a shower?"

"You should take a light bath. Wetting the bandage might allow bacteria to come through." He sighs and heeds my advice heading upstairs. Moments later I hear the bath being run upstairs.

"You two are so weird," his sister remarks jumping from the couch. "Anyways, I was invited out tonight, so I'll be heading out now. See ya." She grabs some stuff and then leaves the house. Upstairs I hear rambunctious clamoring. I head up to check on him.

"You okay Lance?" I hear a hiss of pain and barge in immediately. Lance is holding his injured hand. Instead of focusing on the task at hand though my eyes travel elsewhere. I study his bare wet chest and his tone muscular arms. I turn around to refrain myself. "Lance, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he says through clenched teeth. "I just need a little help getting out." My whole face must have lit up red at the request. Keeping my eyes to the floor I reach a hand out. Soon I feel him take it and I start pulling. I hear the slosh of water as he stands. I quickly reach for a towel to hand him.

"Here you go." I hand him the towel which I feel leave my hand.

"Keith are you okay?" I nod. "You don't seem okay. Your face is red."

"I'm fine. Just cover yourself. I'll be outside." I got outside before my head burst. I breathe deeply to calm myself. Pulling my hair back and I try to screw my head back on.