The end of the line

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

   "Sleeping Beauty finally wakes." Henry said as my eyelids fluttered. I opened my eyes and found Henry leaning on one arm and looking at me intently. I blinked a few times and smiled at him. He smiled back, bent down and kissed me on the lips, lightly.

I sat up and said "I'm going to get some water, I'll be back in a miute. Want some?"

Henry shook his head and said "No, ta. And, are you sure you should be walking without your crutches?"

I got off of the bed and said "I'm fine." I slid down the stairs on my butt and limped, putting my ankle in huge amounts of pain, into the kitchen. I filled a glass with water and took some large gulps. I then limped, painfully, back up to Henry's room and sat on the bed.

"Still fine, are you?" He asked. I shook my head and looked at my purple ankle. He pulled me over to him and said "I did tell you, didn't I?"

"Shut up. Giving me the I told you so thing." I said.

He smiled and pulled me over to him. Then, he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and said "You know I don't mean it like that. I love you."

   I was shocked. He said he loved me? He did just say that and it wasn't just my mind playing games on me, was it? But did I love him? Was I ready to love someone all over again? I mean, my dad had just died and my boyfriend had broken up with me over it. Was I ready to open my heart to another person? Was I ready to let them walk in and break it? Well, break it more than it already was. Was I really ready to let that happen again? No. No, I wasn't. I couldn't. I wouldn't. It had already happened twice in one week. It had ripped my heart in two. Love had completely destroyed my heart. Permanently wounded it. Wounded me.

   I sighed. "Don't. Please." I muttered. I then stood up and limped to the bathroom. I sat on the edge of the bath and sighed. I couldn't be here. I needed to go home. Needed somewhere where it was safe to cry. Where I could wait for someone, who understood my position, to come and comfort me. I wen tot the sink and splashed water on my face. I then dried my face and took some deep breaths, stopping myself before I cried. When I'd calmed myself down, I limped out of the bathroom and back into Henry's room. I sat down on the bed and bit the inside of my cheek, feeling awkward now. Henry came and sat next to me.

He put his hand on my knee and said "I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I'm going too fast or upsetting you."

I looked away from my knee and towards Henry. I smiled weakly and said "It's okay. It's not your fault." After that, nothing more was said for a while.

   I put my dress on and touched up my make up. Henry then came and sat beside me as I was about to start my hair. "Let me." He said.

"Whatever." I said, shrugging my shoulders and smiling a little.

"Come and sit here then." Henry said, pointing to the end of the bed. I moved to the end of the bed and Henry started to do my hair. He sat behind me and re-curled and styled it for me.

"And you have curlers in your house why?" I asked.

"Because they're some new ones that I'm testing out. If they're any good, then we'll use these at the salon instead of the ones we currently have." Henry replied.

"Mmm hmm. Sure."

"Close your eyes." Henry said. He then sprayed what smelled like hairspray on my hair. "Done."

I opened my eyes and said "Thank you." I stood up and kissed him on the cheek.

Henry smiled and said "S'alright."

   When he stopped the car outside my house, Henry turned to me and smiled. I returned his warm smile and said "Thanks. I had a great time."

"Good. I'm glad. And I really am sorry i-" Henry started to say.

"Forget about it. It never happened." I said, cutting him off.

"Bu-"

"No. Never happened."

"Okay. Well, I'll give you a call some time."

"Yeah."

"See you soon." Henry leaned towards me and brushed his lips aginst mine. I smiled and got out of the car.

"Thanks again." I said, while sliding my arms into my crutches. I then went and let myself in the house.

   "How was it?" Addi asked, rushing down the stairs towards me.

"It was fun." I said, making my way to limp up the stairs.

"Hey? Where are you going?"

"My room."

"Why? I need to know the details."

"Don't be nosey." I said, halfway up the stairs. I was now on the second flight of stairs, Addi still following me and saying "Ar...are you okay?" She said.

"Fine." I snapped.

"I know you, and I know that you aren't okay."

"I'm, sodding, fine." I said, feeling a tear roll down my left cheek. When I got to my room, I slammed the door behind me I dropped my crutches on the floor and fell face down onto my bed. I then started to cry. Really, all out, cry. Addi walked in my room, sat down beside me and said "Hun, what is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I sniffed. "I'm fine." Addi was rubbing my back.

"What did he do?" She said, seriously.

"Nothing." I muttered.

"No. Tell me. What did he do?"

I shook my head. "Addi, please. Will you just leave me alone?" I muttered.

"Fine." Addi left my room and I think she went into her room, guessing by her footsteps. I heard some muttering come from her room. About ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door. I heard Addi say "Ah, Henry, come in."