Two Steps Forward Three Steps Back Pt. 1

I melted into his embrace, and he picked me up from the tub, his bigger body holding me against his chest bridal style. No words were exchanged as he carried me into his room, my clothes already laid out on his bed.

He set me down by the bed and we both made short order of getting dressed.

Suddenly I was angry. At myself. At Mykel. At my parents, my sister, the very world. I stood beside the bed, my back to Mykel, my arms crossed over my chest defiantly.

I felt more than I heard him walk up behind me. My breathing stopped and I stiffened as he touched me. His fingers, barely grazing the tops of my shoulders slid away and I heard him sigh lightly behind me.

"Mattie..." His hands lightly gripped my elbows in an attempt to turn me to face him, but I shook from his grasp and stepped away from him. And I kept stepping.

Liz was in her bedroom, her door open as I came down the stairs. I heard her call my name but I didn't stop, nor turn around, as I all but ran from the house.