Page 34 of I Don't Need Your Protection
“Sheesh. Way to be a sour puss,” I mumble. “Fine. I’ll just pick the most recent movie.”
I press play and lean back on my bed to get comfortable.I’m five minutes into the movie when I pause it and turn to Caleb. “Are you sure you don’t want to watch?”
“Yes.”
“You’re just sitting there not doing anything, only looking at me. You might as well watch the movie.”
“No.”
I give him a look. “You honestly think you’ll put me in danger if you watch the movie?”
“Yes.”
“Fine. Your loss.”
Ten minutes pass, with me focused on the movie and him on me. Then he gets up and makes his way to the kitchenette. A few seconds later, I hear what sounds like a microwave. It’s not long before he returns with a bowl of popcorn.
He heads to me, places it on my lap, then returns to his seat. I just stare at him. He fastens those eyes on me.
Why would he microwave popcorn for me?
The sounds from the movie pull me in and I forget about him and the popcorn. This movie is okay. It’s action with romance, but I haven’t gotten to the romance part yet.
Suddenly, Caleb stands and walks to my bed. He drops down next to me, though he keeps to the edge of the bed, as if he’s ready to defend me if he needs to.
I just gape at him. He looks at the TV screen, at me, lifts a brow, then turns to the TV again.
Okay…
I hold out the popcorn bowl to him. He reaches inside, takes a few, and pops them into his mouth. He refuses to takemore.
We’re quiet as we watch. Caleb manages to pay attention to the movie while still being on guard. Though it seems he’s mostly on guard.
When the romance scene unfolds, I get a little excited. Who doesn’t like action mixed in with romance? But then it dawns on me that I’m sitting right next to a guy. A hot guy who’s pretty much taking up all the oxygen in the room. Sure, he’s my bodyguard and in no way in heck could I ever consider him a potential boyfriend, it’s still weird. And when the guy and girl make out in the most intense, passionate way that makes the world turn on its axis? It’s super, super awkward.
Maybe not for Caleb, though. He watches those two eat each other’s faces off with the most indifferent expression I’ve ever seen on a person. How can henotthink that’s sexy?
He turns his head, gaze connecting with mine. For some strange reason, my stomach twists and a chill rushes down my back. His eyes squint a bit, as if he’s trying to read me. But then he glances back at the movie. Once again, he doesn’t seem one bit moved by the passion taking place on the screen.
When the romantic bits are over, I breathe a sigh of relief. Caleb looks at me again with that same expression.
I reach into my pocket and pull out two candy bars. I push one into his hand, unwrap the other, and stuff it in my mouth. Caleb tears off his wrapper and takes a large bite.
We finish the movie, barely looking at one another. When the credits roll down the screen, I stretch my arms over my head. “That was a good movie, wasn’t it?”
He shrugs. “I don’t care for movies.”
“Yeah, I know. But didn’t it make you feel something? I love movies that make me feel good inside.” Especially after the hard month I’ve had.
He keeps his eyes on me for a bit. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He stands and returns to his seat, putting all his focus on me.
I look at him for a few seconds before getting to my feet and glancing around my room. I don’t know what to do now. I finished my homework and it’s not dinner time yet. Then I spot the pile of clean clothes the staff left for me. I didn’t have a chance to put them away yet. I guess I’d better get that done.
As I enter my closet to hang them up, I stop when I notice my old backpack in the back, hidden behind some skirts and jeans. When I first came here, I put it there, planning to empty its contents into the drawer of my desk. But I haven’t had the chance yet. I guess I wasn’t brave enough to go through my things—my parents’ things. But I think it’s time now.
I remain in the closet because I want privacy, even though I know Caleb is still watching me. I face my back to him in case I start crying or something.
Slowly, I unzip the backpack and carefully spill the contents on the floor. The only things I was able to take with me were photos and various other things that are meaningless to other people but mean so much to me. Like souvenirs from trips we went on and other items that have memories attached to them.
