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“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Uhh, how did you get into my room?” I ask, drying off as quickly as possible.
“A key?”
I wrap the towel around my waist and step into the bedroom. “Where did you get a key?”
She just shrugs, as if she didn’t somehow lift my room key and let herself in like she was a guest here. I pull a pair of clean underwear from the dresser, along with a pair of shorts. When I glance over, Freedom’s lying in my bed, her face void of any makeup and with her hair tied high on her head.
“What are you doing?”
“Getting ready for bed?” she replies, as if it’s crazy I’d even ask such a question.
“Why? In my bed?” I ask, hating how perfect she looks lying under the covers.
“Why not? It’s late, Sammy. I’m tired, and your bed is right here.”
“But your bed is in your room,” I tell her, choking the life out of my underwear with my hands.
“It is,” she says with a yawn. Her eyes start to droop, and I realize this fight is fruitless.
I head back to the bathroom and throw on my underwear and shorts. I should probably also slip on a shirt, but for some reason, I don’t. Instead, I head back to my darkened bedroom and find Freedom snuggled under the blankets. Sighing in resignation, I slip under the sheet, hugging the edge of the bed.
After a few minutes of silence, I feel her hand on my arm. It’s startling, but not because of her touch, per se. What’s startling is the way I crave it, how much it comforts me at the same time. She moves, lifting my arm and resting her head against my chest. I’m completely stiff, yet I have no control over my arm, as it wraps around her shoulders and holds her close.
“Tomorrow, we’re having fun. We’re going on the roller coaster,” she says in a sleepy voice.
“Uhh, no, Freedom. I draw a hard line at roller coasters. You remember the plane ride, right?” Her hair tickles my neck, but it feels so good, so I don’t move it.
She yawns again and burrows into me farther. “Yeah, but you got a tattoo. That means you’re a badass, Sammy. You can do anything.”
I’m not, but I don’t argue with her, mostly because she makes me feel alive and like I just might possess a tiny fraction of the badassery she’s convinced I have. It’s the reason I pull her close, close my eyes, and breathe in the scent of her skin against mine.
I’m definitely not a badass, but with Freedom in my arms, I’m suddenly feeling invincible.
