Swell (Complete)

Chapter Forty-Eight (Part One)

"Forever bound in your net of safety,
And it's the most dangerous place I can be,
Like torture to me."

....

Marti was curled up on the couch when she heard Adora's laugh outside the lounge window. She wriggled up straighter and looked out beyond the lace to see Will running a hand through his hair; he had somehow embarrassed himself, Marti knew that gesture well.
She hadn't slept the night before; she also hadn't gone to his room as he'd told her too. She knew he wanted to comfort her, but she couldn't accept it from him.
The front door opened and the laughter died down as Adora looked into the lounge and saw Marti.
"Hey." Her friend smiled gently as Will walked behind her and into the kitchen.
"Hi." Marti yawned as Adora came over to the couch and sat down beside her.
"That blanket looks so cosy." Adora smiled. "It's freezing out there."
Marti held up part of the blanket and returned the smile. "It is."

Adora shuffled under the blanket and pulled it up around her chin. "Ohh, you pre-heated it for us!" She nudged Marti's ribs under the blanket and the coldness inside her seemed to melt away.
"I knew you'd need warming after going outside." Marti joked. "So I made it my morning's mission to stay on the couch with a blanket and movies to keep it warm."
Adora snuggled closer. "Much appreciated. Did you leave any movies for us to watch together?"
Marti looked around and frowned when she realised Will hadn't returned to the room. What was he doing?
"I was thinking... With Tom in custody, I might be allowed to have a sleepover again." Adora caught her eyes and smiled almost gingerly. "Did you want to try?"
"As in you sleeping over here?" Marti leaned away from Adora's body for a few moments.
"Yea, I mean, Mum and Dodge took most of the cameras down today, thank goodness. I think I can convince her to let me have some freedom again."
"Seriously?"
Adora nodded.
"Yes, please!" Marti wrapped her arms around Adora and sniffed into her hair. "Oh yes, please."
Adora laughed and stroked the back of Marti's head.
Adora shifted and pulled her phone out of her pocket. "Let me go long enough to call her?" She teased as she took her arms away from Marti.
Marti felt her cheeks get warm and nodded, allowing their contact to drop. She listened into the conversation, biting her lip so hard in anticipation that it hurt.
Anne was hesitant at first, but Adora managed to convince her that she was safe at their house.
It was hard to hear them be scared of Tom, Marti had always thought he was the least threatening due to his sense of humour.
But his arrest was convenient, because now they could be a group and go to the dance and have fun instead of be looking over their shoulders.

When Adora ended the phone call Marti wrapped her arms around her again happily.
"Yay!" She exclaimed.
"What did I miss?" Will's voice interrupted Adora's chuckling from the entrance to the lounge.
"Mum agreed to let me sleep over." Adora smiled.
"Awesome. You two can relax and girl out."
"That's the plan!" Marti got off the couch and jumped up and down a few times clapping.
Will smiled at them both affectionately.
"I do have to go home first though. I need to get some pyjamas." Adora pointed out.
"How soon can you do that?" Marti couldn't contain her excitement, nor could she slow her voice down.
Will scoffed as Adora laughed. "I can take you home, and bring you back." He offered.
"I should spend some time with Mum today. I'll ride home and get her to bring me back later." Adora shook her head at Will's offer and Marti's excitement bubbled down a little.
"Back by dinner though?" She asked hopefully.
"I'll try." Adora stood up from the couch and gave her a hug goodbye. "The sooner I go, the sooner I can return." She patted Marti's back.
"I'll walk you out." Will pushed off the wall and Marti watched them go out the front door and wheel Adora's bike to the end of their driveway.