Beginnings(20)
“Holy shit this is crazy!”
I smiled at him, “So will you help us?”
“Hell yeah I will!”
My smile got bigger, “Good.”
“Wow,” he sat back and shook his head, “This is crazy. Why do you think only you can see him?”
“I have no idea. It doesn't make sense.” I shrugged my shoulders, “I think we needed each other. We were both lost.”
********
“Adam, say something please.” We were back in my room after spending all afternoon answering Jeremy's questions. Adam hadn't moved from his chair in over an hour. I had no idea what he was thinking, “Are you still angry with me?”
He let out a long sigh, “No, I'm not angry. Well, I'm angry at myself but not with you.” He looked at me with such sadness in his eyes, “This isn't right, you and me. I shouldn't be here.”
“Where do you belong more than here with me?” I was feeling my chest tighten up. He ran both hands through his hair and down his neck resting them on his shoulders.
“Nowhere,” he sighed. “Oh Annie, what are you doing to me?” He looked so tortured, “I know staying here with you is wrong, but I can't seem to bring myself to leave. That's always been the problem. I’ve always been too selfish to let you go. Sometimes I would be frustrated that nobody could see or talk to me, but then you would be there smiling, eager to take on a new adventure with me, and I knew I was right where I belonged.
“I've watched you over the years forgoing playing with other kids so you could be with me. At times I would feel guilty for how self-centered I was being and other times I didn't care. I needed you too much. I can't help but wonder what you would be like if we never met. It's not right that I stayed for so long.
“What happened at school wasn't right. The pain I put you through tears me up inside. I don't want to be what holds you back in life. The world needs to know who you are. Hell, I'd be happy if only a handful knew, but it can't just be me. You deserve more than what I can give you.”
I didn't like hearing him talk this way. “What would you leaving now change? We can figure this out. We've never been this close to finding real answers before. Please, Adam,” my voice was begging him.
He stood, walked to the window, and stared out.
“Adam, look at me. Can you honestly walk away from us?” His shoulders rose and fell. His head fell forward. When he turned around he looked tormented. We met at the bed and both laid down on our stomachs next to each other. He moved his arm so it was between us and I let mine sink in on top of his.
“I love you, Annie. No matter what happens, I need you to know that.”
I never knew love could feel this intense or that I could love Adam any more deeply. It was frightening and beautiful all at the same time. To need someone that much was terrifying, but then I looked at Adam, my Adam, and I knew that was where I belonged. This is how it's supposed to be. We stayed staring into each others eyes until I fell asleep.
Chapter 8
“So is he here with you?” Jeremy looked around me the next morning after English class.
“Yes. I told you, he's always with me.”
He shook his head. “This is too weird.” Then his eyes got wide and it looked like an idea came to him, “Hey, is that why you get such good grades? Can he get the answers for you?” His voice was full of excitement.
I laughed, “He could, but he won't. Believe me, I've tried. He takes too much pride in my grades to let me cheat.”
“Bummer,” he looked so crushed, I laughed harder. I even heard Adam let out a snicker.
“Did you really mean what you said yesterday, about helping us?”
“Yup.”
“Good, I need you to get into hospital records for us.”
“I don't know, hacking into hospitals isn't easy.”
“Oh,” my heart fell, “So you can't do it?”
“I didn't say that, it's just not going to be easy.”
A huge smile broke out on my face, “When can we get started?”
“After school, we can go to my house. We should know by tonight.”
I squealed with delight while jumping up and throwing my arms around his neck to kiss his cheek. “Thank you!”
He wrapped his arms around my waist. “Don't mention it.” He gave me a cocky grin, “I've been wanting to get you in my room since the first day of school when I watched you lick caramel of your finger.”
I lifted an eyebrow, “This whole time I thought it was my charm you liked.” I pretended to look hurt.
“Definitely not that,” he teased. “You're not that charming.”
I frowned, “What about my popularity status? Surely that had something to do with it?”