Chapter 18: In Her Bed
1056 Words
Theodore
"Stop stop stop stop" She whines panicky and grabs the door handle even before I manage to stop the car.
She opens the door and stumbles out. Breathing deep and heavy she hangs on the door.
"Are you alright?"
"Mhm."
She leans on the back seat door.
"Can I go by foot." She says in between taking deep breaths.
"You can't. We're still far away. Come back in."
"I can't."
I let her stay out on the fresh air for a little bit longer.
"We can't stay here, it's dangerous."
"You are dangerous too... Sort of."
I chuckle.
"C'mon... I promise I'll stop as soon as you ask."
"Meaning: right away."
"You can puke through the window."
"How embarrassing."
I suppress a laughter. That would so be bad.
I wait a while longer. But then the howling of the wolves started to echo through the forest. I am definitely not in the mood to attract any trouble. The Howl Forest is enormous, but sometimes the wild animals come too close to the people.
"Let's go."
She finally gets inside the SUV, weakly closing the door and directing the air vent on her. The rest of the ride goes on quietly, Evelyn focusing on taking deep breaths.
As we get home, she has fallen asleep. I take a long look at her. She seems so peaceful, so gentle. I shouldn't have let her have so many drinks. It always hits you harder as you get away from all that crowd and noise.
As I don't want to wake her up, I carry her up to her room. She is light as a feather in my arms. I'm about to lay her down but she grabs my shirt and pulls it closer. I look at her and she is still sleeping, and still obviously very drunk. I try to move away but she tightens her grip and pulls herself closer.
This is not right. If it wasn't for alchohol she wouldn't even come near me.
"Evelyn.." I take her hand and try to make her let my sweatshirt go.
"Don't." She mumbles.
I stand there, bent over her, thinking. Thinking how neither I want to move away. Lately I've been trying to stay away, to deny that I like to be around her. Just looking at her, talking to her, getting to know her. The reason I don't want her to leave is not reason anymore. It's a feeling. A need. To get her to trust me. Trust in me. To like me. To want to be around me. That thought was slowly awakening and creeping toward the surface.
Oh what the hell.
I lie down next to her and put my arm underneath her shoulders. She snuggles into my chest, I gently embrace her.
Damn this feels so good.
I don't remember if I ever felt these trembling in my chest, just for being close to someone. She is in my arms. Warm, tender and delicate.Peacefull.
Evelyn
This feeling again.
Feeling of being cared about and cared for.
Feeling all warm and fuzzy.
Feeling of a cozy embrace.
Wait a sec.
I abruptly open my eyes.
There is something radiating warm around my waist. Someone's arm. Embracing me. I jump out of the bed and turn back to the person behind me.
"What.."
It… It's Theodore, waking up all confused because of my sudden movement.
"Good morning to you too."
I'm all lost.
"What… You… Did we…"
He looks at me confused.
"Oh no. Don't worry. And you would remember it, trust me." He says with a smirk.
I look down at me and see I'm still wearing my clothes from last night. The last thing I do remember is driving in the car. How did we get here? Theodore gets up from the bed.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah… Just thirsty."
And having a headache. And a weird clump in my stomach. God I feel terrible. Why did all that spinning and feeling sick start just as we left the party. I was perfectly fine while dancing.
"Good. Then come down for breakfast"
* * *
"Here, drink this." Dianna handles me a glass of some whitish cloudy liquid. It smells awful.
"What is this?" I ask taking it away from my nose.
"Sauerkraut brine. It will help you with hangover. Now what did you do to this poor child!" She suddenly changes her tone.
I look up and it's Theodore at the door.
"What have I done?"
"Make her get drunk. I thought you knew better."
"Nanna, she's fine, healthy and in one peace."
"It's all on me Dianna. He actually took good care of me."
Dianna gives us a suspicious look but says nothing. Why is she suddenly like that. It's not like I was throwing up last night. Or…?
But she leaves the living room saying nothing more. I turn to Theodore.
"Thank you. For last night. I really had a great time."
"I'm glad you did." He says with a really happy smile.
"Evelyn, can I ask you something."
"Yes, of course."
"Who is Nicholas?"
What? Where did he get that from?
"Nicholas?"
He nods his head.
"Nicholas... Was my teddy bear. My favorite toy when I was little. But he went missing suddenly, when I was around... Four years old. Why?"
He looks at me confused.
"You were talking in your sleep. Saying 'don't go' and 'don't leave me'. To your teddy bear?"
I think for a while.
"I don't remember dreaming about it."
I don't even think about my bear. But it is possible. My roommates used to tell me all the time that I was talking in my sleep.
"Theodore. Why were you in my bed last night?"
He just looks at me. Stares a long time into my eyes. Like he was weighing what to tell me. Here we go again. Usually he is all up front. Except for the things that I want to know. That have to do with me.
"Theo you know you have to bring me the big bag of flour from the town? The kids are coming here on Sunday. I have to prepare the food." Dianna comes back, listing the things she need from the market.
Great. He won't give me an answer again.
- Writer
