They Are There For Me (book 3 of Running Towards Home series)

CHAPTER 13

SAM'S POV:

I'm sitting on the roof with Pony. We do this sometimes. We just sit on the roof and watch the sunset. I fidget with the necklace he gave me, warm from my fingers. My other hand is in Pony's. "So, what do you think about the whole Soda and Kira thing?" I ask him. He turns to me, his eyes wide in surprise. "You know?" He says. "Of course I know. We helped her get ready for her first date with him." I tell him, laughing.

"Well, don't tell anyone I told you this, but I heard Soda on the phone with Kira and he said he loved her. I don't think he realized anyone else could hear him. He's lucky everyone else was out of earshot." He says, smirking. "Soda better not break her heart, or I'll get to him before Dally does." I tell him, smiling.

"I don't think he would hurt her." Pony says. I agree. Soda seems different since he met Kira. He seems happier. He was hurt by Sandy for a long time. I don't think he would purposely inflict that pain on anyone else. He's too good of a guy. I lean my head on Pony's shoulder. He kisses the top of my head.

"I'm lucky I got one of the Curtis brothers." I tell him. "Yeah, you got the handsomest one." He jokes, and I chuckle. "Yes, I did." I say, giving him a quick kiss. He really is perfect. It might seem crazy to think that you can fall in love at fifteen, but I did. He and I click. We work together. He's the perfect guy for me, and I'm the perfect girl for him.

The sunset is beautiful. The purples and pinks, the reds and oranges, thrown across the sky like paint on a canvas. It's one of my favorite things in the world. It reminds me of how beautiful the world can be. The favorite part of my week is when I sit up here with Pony and watch the sky. It's peaceful. I love it up here.

"Hey, love birds, we're gonna watch a movie. Wanna watch with us?" Two-Bit says, sticking his head out the attic window. I look at Pony and he shrugs. "Sure, why not." He says. He helps me through the window and we climb down from the attic, going to sit next to each other on the couch. Johnny and Arlene squish onto the couch next to us. Everyone else is on the floor in a chair. We click on the TV, and the movie starts to play. I watch for a while, but start getting drowsy. I lay my head on Pony's shoulder, my eyes closing. I fall asleep.

Dream starts

I'm in the alley again. Bob is here. How did he get here? He has the knife against my neck again. His hands start roaming my body, his intentions clear. I wait for someone to save me, but no one comes. I'm alone with him. He'll do whatever he wants then kill me. His hands start to wander down, farther and farther. I'm powerless to stop him. He starts to unzip my jeans.

Dream ends

My eyes open, my breath coming fast and hard. I'm covered in sweat, and I have tears on my cheeks. It was just a nightmare. The living room is dark. Everyone must have gone to bed. Someone stirs, and I look over. It's Pony. They must have left him on the couch with me. "Sam, you okay?" he whispers. I try to get my breath under control. "Yeah, just a nightmare." I tell him. "What was it about?" He asks, drawing me into his arms. "I was with Bob, but no one came. I was alone with him. He was going to..." I don't finish. Pony can understand. He hugs me tighter.
"Bob is gone. It was just a nightmare. I will never let anyone hurt you." He says. I nuzzle in closer to him, his breath calming me. He strokes my hair until I start to fall asleep again. "I love you." I whisper to him. "I love you too." He tells me. Then I let my eyes close again and sleep overtakes me. I don't have another nightmare. I dream of Pony instead.