Beginnings of the Heart by J. J. Nite Page A

tell me, okay?” Cole pulled back and looked into my eyes.
    â€œI’m okay staying here and, yes, I’ll let you know.”
    â€œI’ll call you tomorrow and probably come to get you for part of the day. Give them a little space. They’ll probably need it, no matter how understanding they appear to be right now.” Cole said.
    â€œOkay. Give me some time in the morning to get up and around. I’m suddenly feeling really tired.” I said.
    â€œWell, get some sleep and take care of yourself. I need you.”
    I walked him to the door and waved to him as he drove away. I closed the door and turned to go to my room and crawl into bed, but the appearance of my parents cut those plans short.
    â€œWe wanted to know if you’ve seen a doctor yet. We just want to know you’re being taken care of, and if you haven’t, you need to see one.” My mother said, some of the stiffness gone from her voice now.
    â€œNot yet. I have an appointment next week after school.” I answered.
    â€œGood. We’ll talk again tomorrow.” My mother said.
    I had been officially dismissed, and I tried not to actually run to my room. I changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, and crawled into bed. I was so physically and emotionally exhausted I was sure I would be able to fall right to sleep. But sleep eluded me, and I found myself wondering about the other emotion I saw in my mother’s eyes. I was sure I had seen it before, but I couldn’t put a name to it yet. Finally, not even my restless mind could keep sleep at bay any longer. I fell asleep still seeing the look in my mother’s eyes and wondering about it.

Chapter Ten
    The rest of Christmas break sped by. I spent most days at Cole’s house and the rest of the time ignored by my mother. My dad was at least making an effort to make things appear normal.
    It was painfully apparent my mother’s anger had not faded. She held it close. I understood she was hurt and disappointed, but her ignoring me was hurting my feelings and I didn’t even really understand why.
    My thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. I answered it mechanically. “Hello?”
    â€œHey Morgan, I thought you might like to get out of there for a while, and we might be able to sneak off and go look at the second-hand store I told you about the other day.” Cole said. “My parents said we could store things in the garage if we needed to.”
    â€œUmm, yeah. When did you want to go?” I asked, trying to get my mind refocused on the present.
    â€œIn just a little while. I can leave here in about ten minutes if you’re ready now, or I can wait.”
    â€œNo I’m ready now. I’ll grab my jacket and come out when you get here.” I said.
    â€œYou know eventually I’m going to come back inside your house, right? You can’t keep us all separated forever.” Cole said.
    â€œI know, but for now I think it’s easier. I’ll see you in a little bit, okay?” I asked.
    â€œOkay, see you.”
    I went into the kitchen and told my dad I was going with Cole and I would be back later. He just nodded and let me go without grilling me or anything. Maybe they, or at least my dad, were going to mellow faster than I thought.
    As soon as Cole pulled up out front, I was through the door and running for his truck. I lived for these moments. Being out from under the increasingly oppressive atmosphere of my house was awesome.
    I smiled brightly at Cole as I climbed into the truck, and he returned my smile. I slid across the seat to sit next to him, threw my arms around his neck, and gave him a kiss. He slid his hand into my hair and wrapped his fingers around my head as he deepened the kiss. His lips slid off of mine, across my jaw, and down the side of my neck. My breathing became increasingly shallow until he reluctantly pulled away.
    â€œHi.” I said more than a little breathlessly.
    â€œHi. We