Taking Chances
Page 57

I heard people saying my name and figured I must be asleep again, I thought I'd opened my eyes to see who was in this dream, but I still could only see darkness. Suddenly, someone was yelling my name in my ear and my eyes shot open.
“Oh my God! Are you okay? What happened?!” Bree was right in my face and if I could have moved back, I would have.
Why was Brandon suddenly so uncomfortable? I mean, his body is hard as a rock, but it was a comfortable rock that I curled into practically every night. Not whatever this was behind me. I turned my head and my cheek met the cold tile. “Am I on the kitchen floor?”
Brandon came running into the kitchen with Chase and Brad, all three looked concerned.
“She's awake?” Brandon looked to Bree as he knelt down next to her.
“Yeah, just happened.” She replied.
I tried to sit up but my head was so heavy I barely got it two inches off the ground before I gave up, my head smacked against the tile, “Ow.”
“You need to stay down there sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
I looked at Brandon's hand reaching to cup my cheek, then back to Bree. “Did I fall asleep in here?”
Bree actually laughed and grabbed my hand. “Not quite. You passed out.”
“I did?”
“Yeah Harper, scared the crap out of us too.” She scolded me, but looked relieved.
Brad walked back into my line of sight, “Couch is ready, get her over there.”
I knew from experience any of these guys could lift me by themselves and carry me around, but for some reason all three decided to move me to the couch.
“I'm fine, you're all being ridiculous.”
“Sweetheart, you were out for –”
“I get that, but I'm fine now.” And I was. I felt like I could get off the couch and go make breakfast. Speaking of...my stomach growled as I thought of food. I pointed at my stomach and smiled at the four of them, “See, I'm fine.”
Brad was pressing on my leg, making me wince, Bree was watching his hand and Chase and Brandon were staring at me. Both clearly still worried.
“Uh, Brad? Could you ease up? You're hurting me.”
He smiled sheepishly and removed the bloody towel away from me.
“What the –”
“You dropped your mug and a big chunk sliced your leg pretty good.” Brandon filled me in as he pressed his lips lightly to my neck. “How are you really feeling? And don’t lie to me.” He whispered into my ear.
I looked up in time to see Chase hang his head and step away, slowly shaking it back and forth. One half of me yearned to go comfort him, and I tried not to let it show.
“I'm great, really. I feel like nothing happened.”
He seemed to consider that a moment before finally helping me sit up.
“See? Just fine.” My head swam and I felt nauseas for a second.
Brandon smiled and kissed me softly, “I'll go make you something to eat then, that's probably what it was. You didn't have dinner last night.”
“Or lunch.” Bree interjected and I blushed as Brandon scowled at me.
“Bree?” He said.
“Yeah?”
“Can you go with her while she takes a shower? Just in case it happens again.”
“Sure, come on Harp, you look disgusting.”
I smiled at her, “I love you too Bree.”
I took a shower, without incident, and practically inhaled the eggs and toast Brandon made, even though it was enough for Bree and I put together. By the time we were finished, I'd already missed my only class of the day, so naturally Bree and I decided to go shopping. Brandon wasn't ecstatic, he was trying to keep me in bed, but once I had eaten, I felt better than I normally did so he reluctantly let me go. We'd barely gotten into the second shop when Bree put a hand on my arm and turned me towards her.
“Are you okay Harper?”
“Yeah. Why? What's up?” I breathed heavily.
“Um, well we just walked like one hundred feet and you're practically doubled over trying to catch your breath.”
I raised an eyebrow and started to speak.
“Okay fine, that was a little exaggerated. But you're bright red, sweating and you are breathing hard.”
“Well, it's really hot today, but other than that I feel fine.”
“Harper, you're wearing a short sleeved shirt and it's fifty degrees outside.”
I paused, “Really?” My heart had finally slowed down so I took a deep breath, relishing in the feel of my lungs filling to their capacity.
She grabbed my hand and towed me towards the car. I couldn't even complain, I felt fine but man all I wanted to do was take a nap. When we got back, Brandon jumped up to greet us, worry etched all over his face as he took in my heavy breathing and red face.
“Did she pass out again?” He asked Bree.
“No, but she wasn’t doing well.”
“What do you mean? Did something else happen to her again?”
“She is right here, and nothing happened. I just need to take a nap. If you guys are done treating me like a child, I'd like to get to that.” I pushed past him and headed for his bed.
It wasn't either of their faults, and they really didn't deserve to have me snap at them. But I was frustrated with how rapid my awesome feeling had turned into barely being able to keep my eyes open and practically drooling at the thought of taking a nap. I climbed into Brandon's bed, fully clothed and was out before I could consider taking my shoes off.