Gavyn made a left into his driveway. It didn't look to much like a driveway though. It looked more like a dirt pathway big enough for a car.
"Well, here we are." Gavyn came to a stop and put the car in park, then turned the vehicle off. As he unbuckled his seat belt he noticed Nicole open her own door and get out. She leaned against the car while he locked it up.
"It's a nice house. I like the color." Nicole said. Gavyn didn't think she really understood the severity of what happened to her so he decided to go along with the small talk.
"Thanks. I painted it last summer after my parents died." He was sorry he said anything at all when she gave him a sympathetic look. She didn't say anything though and he was glad she didn't. He felt stupid as it was. Sighing, Gavyn mad his way to the front door. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Nicole try to follow him. She lost her balance and fell into a heap in his drive way.
"Are you all right?", Gavyn asked as he went to her side. Nicole lifted her arms as if to say she gave up. He took that to mean she was all right.
"Today has just been absolutely horrifying."
"I'm sure it has been." Gavyn made that remark as he went to lift her into his arms.
"You really don't have to carry me. Wow this is embarrassing." Gavyn could tell from her tone of voice that she hated being seen as weak. He couldn't really blame her.
"Don't worry about it. You don't really weigh that much."
"Well thank you. And also thank you for doing this. Taking care of me I mean."
"Don't mention it." Still holding Nicole Gavyn opened his front door and walked into the living room. Gavyn couldn't help but feel like it was as if he was carrying her over that threshold thing. He set Nicole on the worn down couch and shut the door. "I'll be right back. Don't move."
" I think I'm to dizzy to go anywhere." She reached up to grab her head. Gavyn left the room for a minute and then came back with two Advil. As he handed her the tablets he watched her face fall.
"Am I supposed to do something with them?" She reached for the medicine and held them away from her.
" You swallow them." Gavyn knew his statement had sounded like a question but she took the water from his other hand and swallowed the tablets.
"What exactly is their purpose?"
"They'll help you feel better and take some of the pain way." Gavyn was confused. Didn't the girl know over the counter drugs were?
"Oh, Gods, thank you. I hurt all over which is strange because I'm not supposed to fee..."
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Stopping mid-sentence, Nicole realized her mistake. She couldn't very well tell him that she wasn't supposed to feel pain, let alone anything else.
"Your not supposed to what?" Gavyn looked puzzled. She decided to lie to him.
"I don't remember what I was saying or even talking about. Sorry."
"It's understandable; don't worry about it. I'm gonna go get some salve for the cut on you forehead." Gavyn went into another room and Nicole relaxed into the soft sofa. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep. Unfortunately she was awoken by a stinging sensation coming from her forehead. Nicole gasped in surprise and pain when she opened her eyes to Gavyn dabbing some kind of burning liquid to her head.
"You won't need stitches. The cut isn't to deep so a band-aid will be all right for now."
"You know, I really can't thank you enough for this." Nicole's eyes were at half mast and Gavyn could tell she really needed to get to sleep.
"I'll go get you some PJ's so you can get out of those clothes and sleep."
"Oh, uhm, thank you."
"Sweats and a t-shirt good with you?"
"That's fine. Anything to get out of these gross clothes." Gavyn laughed and left the room. Nicole didn't know what to make of this boy but she was very grateful he was there to help her. She laid back down on the couch while waiting and fell asleep again.
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Making his way to the dresser that held most of his clothes, Gavyn grabbed the first t-shirt and sweats that touched his hands. He sighed. The clothes would be way to big on her but they would have to do.
Walking back into the living room he stopped in mid-stride. Nicole had stretched out on the couch. Her chocolate hair was strewn about the cushion she had laid her head upon. With one arm draped over her stomach and the other hanging off the edge of the couch Gavyn thought she looked absolutely adorable. That is until she tried to roll over and ended up on the rug.
"Oh crap! Are you all right Nicole?" He rushed to her side and helped her sit up. "Are you hurt?"
"It's just my ankle. I think I might have twisted it. Perfect!"
"I could still take you to the hospital." Gavyn went to grab his keys but the look she gave him suggest he'd better not touch them. "Never mind then. I'll just get you an ace-bandage for your ankle." He was glad when he saw her visibly relax and nod.
"That would be so much better thanks."
"Okay. I'll be back here ya go." Nicole took the clothes he offered and their hands brushed. He couldn't quite believe it but he felt a surge of tingles the moment their fingers touched.
To Gavyns surprise Nicole grabbed his hand and turned it palm up. He watched her eyes as she studied the lines that criss-crossed themselves. She looked confused and then he noticed her eyes grow wide as if in realization. She let go of his hand quickly and took the clothes in her hands again.
"I'll be right back. Don't fall or anything while I'm gone." Nicole smiled at his light hearted mood but Gavyn noticed her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She looked disturbed.
"I'll do my best." She said with a shaky breath.
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Nicole glanced down the hall way; making sure Gavyn was out of sight. She dressed quickly and threw her wet clothes into a pile next to the couch; hoping that was okay. She sat back down on the couch and waited for Gavyn to come back. He wasn't Gavyn though. No. She knew his real name and where he belonged. He belonged in Olympia. That thought led to another.
"The Scroll!"
"You all right?" Gavyn had just stepped into the room when she shouted.
"I was just thinking aloud. Nothing really." She hoped he would let it rest. As she turned to look at him, she found him staring at her. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah. I'm fine. Here you go." He came out of his stupor and tossed her the ace-bandage.
"I have no idea how to use this ." Nicole tossed it back to him.
"All right. Just sit down and I'll take care of you... I mean your ankle." Nicole sat down on the couch with her right ankle out. Gavyn wrapped it with incredible speed and care she couldn't help but notice. "You're all set. I'll help you get to the room." Her took her hands and helped her stand up and then led her down the long hallway to the guest room.
"Thank you again for everything." She smiled at him and before she knew what she was doing she moved a piece of black hair out of his eyes. Her eyes went wide again and her hand fell to her side quickly.
"Well, uhm, my room is just across from yours so if you need anything..." Nicole nodded when he didn't continue. "It's not much but the bed is pretty comfy. I'll see you in the morning." She gave him another nod and disappeared inside the room. She heard him go inside his own room and close the door.
