Chapter Six

Two weeks later I was able to go home. Just in time for my twenty-first birthday—which was the next day. I hadn't seen Nolan since because my father refused to leave me again after that. He was especially upset that I signed off on a medical piece of paper saying that I was refusing the surgery.

I spent most of the day lying in my bed, with Rabbit and Nugget curled up on either side of me. We were watching Cartoon Network and it was the greatest feeling in the world.

They were well behaved until the sun went down and Mom came in to tell them that they would have to go upstairs and get in bed. They both protested, saying that they hadn't watched TV with me in so long. Mom didn't budge and told them that I needed my rest.

When everyone was gone, I settled in and flipped through the channels. I settled on Gone with the Wind, and after an hour slipped into a half sleep, half conscious state.

I was awoken by the tapping at my window. I opened my eyes and rolled over onto my back and smiled. It was Nolan and he was motioning for me to open the window. I held up a hand so that he would stop tapping. He nodded and I reached for my chair. I first went to my bedroom door and locked it so no one could walk in, then I rolled over to the window and unlocked it, lifting it up far enough for him to stick his hands underneath and push it the rest of the way open.

"Hi," he said softly as he climbed in.

"Hi," I replied.

He glanced at the TV and smiled.

"Great movie," he remarked.

"I've never seen it," I admitted.

"Shame. One day you'll have to watch it from the beginning."

"Maybe. So, what's up?" I asked quietly.

"I missed you," he said.

I looked up at him. He was still staring at the TV, and I felt that fluttering feeling again.

"I missed you too," I responded truthfully.

He finally tore his eyes away from the movie and smiled at me. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled me close to him.

"So. How about an answer to that question?" he asked softly.

"Ask me again."

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes," I replied without hesitation.

He smiled and took my face into his hands. Instead of pulling me toward him, he leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against mine.

My first real kiss.

And it was perfect.

It was with someone that I genuinely liked, and it was the day before my birthday; not many other gifts would be able to compare to this.

When Nolan pulled back, I was shaking and so was he. I could feel it and it made me shy for some reason.

"Was it okay to do that?" he asked.

I nodded and he smiled.

"Can you help me get back into bed?" I asked him.

Nolan got up from the bed and cradled me in his arms—one of the places I had found to feel the safest in the world. He pushed my chair against the door and as I got comfortable in bed, he pulled his shoes and jacket off and climbed in beside me.

I turned slightly and looked at him with wide eyes.

"Don't worry, Janey. I just want to lie here with you," he whispered.

I nodded and turned my eyes back to Gone with the Wind, but when Nolan cuddled up against me and wrapped an arm around my waist, I almost immediately fell asleep. He emanated so much body heat that I felt like I was sleeping next to a heater. Not that I minded. I just wished I was able to keep my eyes open so that I could remember how it felt to have him this close to me.

It was a strange thought to have, and I didn't know where it came from. Nonetheless, I fell asleep within ten minutes of having Nolan's arm around me.

I woke up the next morning to someone knocking on my door.

"Starr? Are you awake?"

It was Dad.

I rolled over and began jostling Nolan. He had to wake up and get out.

Now.

"What the hell?" he asked, sitting up.

"Dad's knocking at the door. You have to go," I whispered urgently.

He sprang from the bed and grabbed his jacket. I watched him slide his shoes on and head to the window. He opened it quietly and was half way out when he climbed back in.

"Starr?" Dad asked, again pounding louder.

"You have to go!" I whispered frantically as my father began to fiddle with the doorknob.

Nolan came back over to the bed and looked at me with his half smile.

"Kiss me and I'll leave."

I stared at him for a moment and considered letting my father in. Only because I shouldn't have to be backed into a corner to kiss him. But I saw his dimples starting to deepen in his face and his eyes seemed to sparkle.

"Okay," I replied with a grin.

Nolan leaned down and put his hands on either side of me and kissed me. In fact, he kissed me so breathtakingly, that I fell back against the bed and pulled him toward me.

"Jane Camille East! You open this door this minute!" Dad yelled. He probably heard the footsteps and the bed creaking, I reasoned.

"Camille?" Nolan asked quietly after he pulled away.

"Yeah, I know. Now go before he breaks the door down," I whispered.

"I'll come back tonight when everyone's asleep. Happy Birthday, Janey," he said, kissing me one more time, before he made his way to the window.

Dad managed to push the door open as soon as Nolan disappeared. One second sooner and he would have caught him.

"Why was your door blocked?" he asked me suspiciously.

"I was up watching TV late. I probably didn't secure the chair," I shrugged.

He glanced around the room and then back at me.

"I thought I heard footsteps," he said, putting his hands on his hips.

"You probably just heard that," I said pointing at the TV. Thankfully, I had left it on when I fell asleep with Nolan.

"Well, it's your birthday, Janey," he said, his voice softening.

I smiled.

Daddy was probably sad because I wasn't going to go out and do "normal" twenty-one year old things. Like, walk into a bar and get so drunk that I would have to be dragged out by all of the friends I didn't have.

"It's going to be a great day," I said cheerfully. I shoved off my sheets and Dad came over to help me get into my chair.

"What do you want to do today?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said thoughtfully. "Maybe we can find a way to get me upstairs? I wouldn't mind just sitting around with Stella and Liam in their room."

"Anything else?" he asked with a smile.

"Well."

Here goes nothing.

"I'm sure that Nolan would like to come over."

"No."

"But, Daddy --"

"Janey," Dad said, letting out a long-suffering sigh. "I don't want that boy anywhere near you. It's not because I don't like him; I do. But he lied to us—me and your mother—about where he was taking you. That could have cost you your life if the hospital hadn't called us. You were unconscious and you weren't able to consent to treatment."

"Please? It's the only thing I really want," I said close to tears.

Dad sighed again and walked away. He left me looking after him, from somewhere between my bedroom and the bathroom.

I stayed there for a moment. I heard him in the living room whispering furiously with Mom. I sighed and rolled into the bathroom to start my morning routine. Ten minutes later when I emerged, my parents were waiting for me in the hallway.

"Your father told me what you would like for your birthday. After some discussion," she said, glancing at my father. "We've decided to invite Nolan over. There are some stipulations though."

I was so happy that I agreed to everything they said.

The stipulations were as followed:

"Thank you!" I said when she was done. I was beyond ecstatic. I reached over for both of my parents and they both hugged me tightly.

Once we broke apart, I rolled into the kitchen to call Nolan and give him the good news.