Torn Two Ways

(A/N: Thankyou to whoever spent their time reading this novel. Special thanks to Vicky who created the title cover for me. I'll paste it up soon!)

C16

I wake up hearing somebody screaming. I throw open my eyes, panic exploding inside a body that aches with every movement. I blink, Carl’s face is blurry, but the screaming subsides. His arms are tight around me, cradling me against his bare chest. I try to calm my breathing as I hear his voice, sinking back into him.

‘He’s not here.’ He whispers, resting his chin easily on my hair.

‘I know.’ I whisper back, calm descending upon me. I raise my hand to my eye, regretting it immediately. ‘How bad?’

‘Not that bad.’ I know that he’s lying, and so does he.

‘How long have I slept?’ My eyes are heavy in their sockets.

‘Eight hours, I think. You cried for a long time.’

‘I’m sorry.’

I twist awkwardly, wincing at the bolts of electric pain that shoot along my stomach and my spine. ‘Ouch.’ I whimper. His eyes look right into mine, and in that moment I wonder why I ever chose Sam. I feel every part of me melt into nothingness. All there was were his eyes, and his fingertips tracing my bruises lightly.

‘Don’t ever apologise to me.’ He murmurs, his face so close to mine I can count his eyelashes.

His hands lift me over his body, leaving me against his chest, legs either side of him. His hands run over my hips, my ribs, up to my shoulders. I lower my lips to his, green eyes taking over my life.

‘I brought something for you.’

I don’t answer, lost in the moment. He pushes gently on my shoulders, ‘I brought something for you.’

‘Mmm?’

All I wanted was for him to hold me, kiss me... in this exact moment in time I knew that he was everything I wanted... I questioned my choice for Sam... Why?  Whispered those disgusted voices.

He shifted, reaching to the carpet. His hand closed around something, then lifted to my eye level. I smiled, sitting up to reach for my camera. ‘When...?’

‘You were sleeping. I figured you’d miss it.’

‘I haven’t...’

‘It’s a part of you. Look-‘he laughs, taking the camera from me and sitting it beside the pillow. ‘It can even sit right there while I do this.’

Laughter explodes from me. His lips brush against my shoulder, I arch my head back, letting my thoughts roam. I was over Sam. I was stupid to think I ever loved him. Everything I needed was holding me in his arms.

I break the kiss reluctantly, a smile spreading on my lips as Carls protest echos through the room. I lift my camera; it feels odd in my hands again. I missed it. Maybe it missed me. I let the lens unfold... yawning... woken from its sleep. I set the shot for timing. The camera nestles upon the bedding, and I get pulled towards him again. I close my eyes, lips on his, hearing the shot capture.