Just Try It

Chapter 21-Princess in a Tower

Monday, February 13th 8:50pm

Swisher Street

As Moe held Sondra tight in his arms, he couldn't help thinking about her close call.  The wind, the sand on the sidewalk, and the truck blurred together in his mind as he tried to process what had almost happened in the previous seconds.  He continued to hold her close as thoughts of what could have happened raced through his mind.  He growled, "Give me the damn board."

Sondra stiffened, and she turned in his arms with her eyes narrowed.  He didn't even have time to loosen his grip, and his hands skimmed over her waist as she turned to stare him down.  Moe was distracted by the sensation, but when Sondra just protested, "I can handle it.  I was just surprised by the wind."

Guilt prompted Moe to snap, "You shouldn't be carrying it.  You were almost pulled in front of that truck, and it wasn't even for your own project." 

Moe was more than slightly surprised when Sondra glared back and replied in a firm voice, "Thanks for the rescue, but I can handle more than you think.  I'll just be more careful."

Without thinking, he burst out, "You aren't careful at all.  You always believe the best of everybody, and it just isn't true."  The truth of his words poured over him in despair.  It wasn't just everybody else.  It was him too.  At least Sondra hadn't died as a result of his inability, like his brother.  His words were bitter as he continued, "Some people don't deserve your trust.  Going through life constantly being fooled isn't good for you.  When you find out the truth about people you are bound to be disappointed."

Sondra's eyes flickered, and her voice shook as she answered, "I know that Aaron and Paul both found it easy to trick me, and it wasn't just me that paid for me falling for Aaron's lies.  I wish I had figured everything out earlier, but looking for the best in people is part of who I am."

Moe wished he could take back his words.  Even as he began to shake his head, she continued in a hurt voice, "Besides, I know that people won't always act the way I want.  You already taught me that." 

Moe flinched at her words, but knew she spoke the truth.  He had hurt her in the past, and deserved much worse than an occasional reminder.  He just wished he had a way to fix things. Sondra was still stiff with anger when his arms tightened to pull her closer.  Moe couldn't look at her, so he buried his face in her hair and admitted in a whisper, "I couldn't stand it if I let you get hurt when I just started to work things out with you."

At his words, Sondra relaxed.  She even leaned against him and went from trying to edge away to hugging him back.  After a moment, Sondra softly reassured, "Moe, I'm fine, and I shouldn't have said what I did.  I was just mad and embarrassed that you saw me have trouble against the WIND."

Moe gave a small smile at her words, but he was a little distracted.  Sure, he was glad they were no longer arguing.  However, all the adrenaline released by her close call was still coursing through his veins.  Between the lack of target and the feel of her body pressed against his, the adrenaline seemed to flip from the fear to something completely different.  His heart was racing, and he was having trouble thinking clearly.  He knew he should let Sondra go, but he couldn't quite convince his arms of that.  Moe was tempted to nuzzle her neck.  Before he could give in to that urge, he dragged on the last of his self-control and managed to pull back a couple of inches only to find Sondra staring up at him. 

He was drowning in her dark trusting eyes as he struggled to remember his plan: get his life on track, work on building trust, and then SLOWLY get her used to the idea of dating him.  His good intentions were hard to hold onto though. He had just begun to sway in closer, when a car rushed past with its horn blaring.  Without a word, Moe jerked back, shifted her farther from the street, and picked up the forgotten cardboard he had luckily stepped on.  Moe only hoped that the dark street would hide his deep blush for the rest of the walk home.

When Moe reached for the backpacks, Sondra quickly swung them up before he could grab them too.  Sondra wondered what Moe was thinking, but after the earlier argument, she was reluctant to start talking again. It had seemed like he was going to kiss her, but that was probably her imagination. He had probably been ready to give her another good friend hug.  Sondra glanced at her watch and quickened her steps.

The silence gave her plenty of time to think.  Her priority right now was helping Moe like she had promised.  He was counting on her, and she had no intention of letting him down.  After all, this was one of the first things she could do to get him to see her as an equal.  Secondly, Sondra decided that it didn't matter if Moe had almost kissed her or not.  Even if that had been his intention he still saw her as someone to rescue. She was done with being the princess in a tower.  The last step in her plan was suddenly clear all of a sudden. To make sure he saw her as an equal, she should be the one to kiss him. Now she had to just figure out how to get brave enough to do that.

It seems to me that it is easy to snap and growl at those we love the most, but what do you think?  Let me know your thoughts.  If you don't want to leave a comment, but still liked the chapter, feel free to tap the star to vote.