Hidden Moon by K R Thompson Page A

on!”
    “Oh,” I said, noticing that everything that he had said was true. I looked down at my bare feet. “I was worried about you.”
    “I’m okay,” he reassured me. “Honest. Mom and I went out to a movie. I saw where you called on the caller ID when we got home last night, but I thought it would be too late and I didn’t want to wake you. If I knew you were worried that much I would have called you no matter what time it was, I swear.” He pushed my hair away from my cheek.
    “Oh,” I murmured. I felt like a big fool.
    He smiled. “I’m glad someone worries about me that much, it’s a nice feeling. I was getting ready to pour myself a bowl of cereal. Come have breakfast with me?”
    “Okay.”
    We sat across from each other, both in our pajamas, eating the crunchy cereal and sipping our milk at the little table in the kitchen.
    “You know, I thought something horrible had happened when I found you at the door.” Brian shook his head, and then smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with you, but people may get the wrong idea if you show up with your bedclothes on.”
    “I forgot. I was still worried and had to see if you were okay.” I looked over at the bright blue eyes that glimmered under the mussed, dark hair.
    “What are you doing in Erik’s car? Not trying to change the subject, but it is his car, isn’t it?”
    “It’s my car. Or rather it will be, after today.”
    “I hadn’t heard he was going to sell it,” he mused. “It will be a good car for you. He takes good care of his stuff. Plus, he’s a good guy. He wouldn’t sell you a piece of junk. Speaking of the guys at the Res, today is the field trip. It should be fun…”
    The clock in the living room chimed. Startled, I jumped.
    “I guess I need to head back and get ready for school. Or at least to go get clothes on,” I said as I got up.
    “I’ll come pick you up in an hour or so,” Brian said as he walked me to the door.
    His eyes were warm as they looked down at me. “Thanks for coming by to check on me. It was sweet of you.”
    “I’m glad you’re feeling better, I was worried about you. Thanks for breakfast.” I smiled up at him as I walked passed him and out onto the porch. He stopped me, grabbing my arm.
    “Wait a minute, take these.” He handed me a pair of flip-flops. “Today’s lesson. Always drive with shoes on.”
    I pushed my feet into them and smiled. “Thanks.”
    He reached over and tucked my hair behind my ear before he leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. “Drive safe. I’ll be up to get you in a little while.”
    “Okay,” I whispered, not sure what else to say or do. I walked back down the porch steps and got into the Wrangler. I backed it back out onto the road and started back home. I looked in my rearview mirror. Brian stood on the porch, watching me as I drove away.
    I drove back home wondering what I had gotten myself into. Part of me seemed to get lost in Adam anytime he was near. With him, it was as if I had found the other half of myself. But I had been far more worried about Brian being sick than I had been about Adam as he walked home alone. I was always comfortable with Brian. We hadn’t known each other that long, but it felt as if I had known him forever and that I could tell him anything.
    Mom choked on her coffee as she watched me come back in the door. Small splats of brown caffeine dotted the front of the paper she had been reading.
    “You went out like that?” she asked, astonished.
    “Yeah, I forgot to get dressed.”
    “You were still worried about Brian. I know you had the phone with you all night. I found it in your bedroom after you left. So was he all right?
    “Yeah, he’s fine. He and Anita were out late, and he didn’t want to wake us. I guess I need to get in the shower and get ready for school.”
    “Yes, I do believe that would be a good idea,” she said as I started for the stairs, “And next time you make sure you tell me in person