Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

"Not taking any chances. huh?"

"Not anymore."

He smiled. All that had happened appeared to

have freed him inside so that he wasn't as guarded

about his feelings and as afraid of trusting them. We went downstairs again. I saw how he was

hesitating.

"You don't have to hang around any longer.

Tyler. We'll be allright."

"If you don't mind. I'd like to," he replied. "It

helps me to feel better."

"Okay," I said. surprised.

We sat on the sofa in the living room and talked

about his new plans and mine. I tried to keep awake.

but after a while, my eyelids just shut down and I felt

myself leaning more and more against him. He rose

and fixed a pillow under my head and then he sat

across from me in Mrs. Westington's chair. When I

opened my eyes with the morning light streaking

through the window, he was still there, asleep himself. I sat up and he opened his eyes.

"Hey," he said, looking about. "What time is

it?" He checked his watch. "Wow. I guess I was more

tired than I thought, too."

"I've got to get Echo going. I'll get her some

breakfast and then we'll drive over to the hospital." "Right. I'll meet you there," he said. He rose

and stretched. Then he smiled. "Great show last

night."

"Thanks."

"See you soon." He hurried out.

I wondered what he would be telling his mother

when he got home or if that even mattered anymore. Echo and I showered and dressed. I made some