6

"It's based on a real story, Cam."

"Really?"

"Yep. Everything you'll see has happened for real."

I gulped quite loudly. "Well, that's cool."

I stared straight ahead but I could feel Ann's eyes on me, probably very amused eyes at that.

"Aww you're not scared, are you?" She said with an exaggerated tone, clearly moking me.

I shook my head.

"Because if you are, we can watch another movie." She said, still staring at me curiously.

And damn it, she got me.

"Nope, this one's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." I said.

"Okay then."

***

I worried for nothing because it was actually the shittiest horror movie I'd ever seen (not that I'd seen many, mind you).

After thirty minutes there still wasn't something that scaried me and I was starting to zone off, it was already past 11 and I was a little tired.

"Are you sure this is a scary movie?" I asked Ann while trying to get into a more comfortable position on the couch.

She must have been really focused on the movie because she got startled when she heard me. She turned on her right, glaring at me as if it was my fault that the movie was boring. I was now sprawled on the couch, my head resting on the couch's arm and my body occupying most of the space, leaving her little space on her side.

She gave me a little smile and just said, "Pay attention."

And as soon as she said that and I turned my eyes from her to the TV, I jumped as if I had just seen the devil and I mean, I probably had since that thing on the screen was definitely not human. Adrenaline shoot through me and I found myself sitting on the edge of the couch gripping Ann's right arm tightly as if my life depended on it.

When the scene was over and the suspense gone, I could feel Ann shaking and as I looked at her I realized she was actually laughing at me. But I still didn't let go of her arm and I actually strengthened my grip. "Well, it really seems like you're not scared of horror movies."

I didn't bother to reply, she'd caught me or more like I let myself get caught. I should have just stayed calm and stoic throughout all of the movie just so I didn't ruin my reputation. But what it's done, it's done. And I was actually getting pretty comfortable like this, attached to Ann's side, feeling her softness, her warmth and her scent.

"You're hurting my arm." She said at some point in the movie after yet again a scene in which I just couldn't stay still and had to close my eyes. But if I have to be honest I was kind of taking advantage of the situation, since she left me free to hold her arm.

"How is it hurting you, I'm barely touching you." I stated matter of factly, looking up at her innocently.

"If this is barely touching, I wouldn't want to know what touching is for you."

"No, you probably wouldn't..." I muttered and I could see her flush in an instant. And well, yes, I should have kept the comment to myself but I just loved messing with her. After that she just stared straight ahead till the end of the movie.

***

As the movie ended I got up and stretched, feeling really sleepy.

"Uhm, are you going back home?"

"I guess, I'm in need of sleep."

"You know you can stay here right? Since your parents are away..."

I grinned at her. "What, since my parents are gone I can sleep with you?"

God, I wish I could have taken a picture of her face at this very moment. I laughed and she slapped me on the arm.

"You know what, I've changed my mind. You can go back home."

"But I want to stay here."

"Too bad." She said and headed towards her bedroom. I followed behind and as we got into the room I plopped dead weight on the bed.

"I'm too tired to go home."

"You're tired from what exactly? I'm the adult here who works every single day while you've got nothing to do." She was scowling at me, hands on hips while I was laying on her bed, arms stretched out on both sides and looking up at her amusedly.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise, questioning "You're an adult?"

"I'm almost 29 years old. Yes, I'm an adult."

"You know that when you turn 30 you're not an adult anymore, right?"

"No? What are you then?" She questioned and I couldn't help myself seeing her serious face.

"When you turn 30 you become part of the old generation of grumpy citizens. That's not an adult, adults go from 18 to 30 and then you're done. So enjoy your adult status while you still can." I smiled and was satisfied when she scoffed.

"I'm going to change in the bathroom. Once I'm done I'm going to sleep and I don't want to hear even a word leave your mouth at that point, ok?"

"Yessir!"

***

I don't usually dream but when I do, I have some pretty amazing dreams. And the one that I was having right now was no exception, if only whatever was trying to wake me up from it would stop moving.

Shit.

I've woken up, haven't I? The dream's gone and I'll forget it as soon as I open my eyes. No. I can't do that.

I felt this continuos shifting under my arm again. I half opened one eye and peeked at the thing. I almost expected to see a human sized teddy bear who was capable of movement, only to be disappointed in seeing an actual human being in the form of my dearest neighbor.

I now opened both of my eyes, curious to see what she was trying to do. She had her back to me, my left arm was loosely wrapped around her waist and my right arm was dying under her weight. Damn, she was heavy. I watched her trying to free herself, she probably didn't want to wake me up because she was extremely careful in not touching my arm or my body behind her.

Since I apparently was asleep, I casually strengthened my grip on her waist, all the while moving our bodies closer just enough to touch.

I felt her tense and couldn't help but smile. She would kill me if she knew that it was completely intentional.

After struggling for a little bit more she finally relaxed and probably just gave up. But as she did so I decided to mess with her.

I opened the palm of my left hand and slowly placed it on her stomach, then I inched our bodies even closer. I could now feel her tensing all over again and her breathing quicken. One last push, I moved my face closer to her exposed neck and breathed in and out slowly.

"You're crushing my arm," I whispered and mentally prepared myself for what was to come.

I saw her bolting out of my grasp and the bed in a millisecond and then I saw her turn around and glare accusingly at me before leaping forward, towards me, on me, assaulting me.

"Helppp," I screamed on the top of my lungs as she straddled me and was trying to slap me anywhere she could.

"I can't believe that you were awake the entire time!"

I tried protecting myself with my arms but she was unexpectedly strong, she was hurting me and I guess that was her goal.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." I pleaded and finally she slowed down with her attacks. She was now sitting on my legs, straddling me and looking down at me with a curious gaze. Well, in my fantasies this wasn't supposed to go like this, especially when instead of getting up she started tickling me all over my stomach. And you must know that unlike her, I am ticklish. A lot.

I squirmed under her hands and couldn't stop laughing. She seemed satisfied with herself but still didn't stop.

"Please stop! I'm sorry, I swear I was sleeping!"

"Yeah right."

"I was! And then I woke up with my right arm hurting like hell, so I told you and you suddenly attacked me." I grabbed her hands and was finally able to make her stop. She looked at me suspiciously.

"Then next time you'll sleep on the couch." she said but still didn't get up from her position (not that I wanted her to).

"But it wasn't my fault, it's a sleep habit. Just like you snore, I hug whatever I can find."

"I don't snore." She said, appalled. And then when I grinned at her, "I don't snore."

"You totally don't."

"I don't snore, do I?" She looked totally horrified at this discovery, as if snoring was a crime. "Nobody has ever told me I snore."

"They just didn't want to upset you."

"I'm not upset. And even if I snore at least I don't hug random people in my sleep."

I laughed, "Random people?"

"You know what I mean."

"What's so bad about hugging random people?"

"Well, if nothing else not everyone is comfortable being hugged by anyone other than people close to them."

I made a sad face and pouted. "Am I not close to you?"

She looked panicked for a moment. "That's not what I meant. Close as in close close, you know?"

"Ohh. So I can't hug you?"

"Well, no."

"But your boyfriend can."

"If I had one, yes."

I looked at her but didn't say anything. She looked at me but didn't say anything. I looked at her. She looked at me.

And then I laughed.

"What are you laughing about?"

"Nothing."

"Right."

"I'm hungry."

"Go make yourself breakfast then."

"Ok."

She looked at me but didn't move and then asked, "What are you waiting for?"

"I would go if you let me." And I glanced at her body and then at her face.

"Oh, right." She got up and offered me a hand.

"Pancakes or eggs?" I asked.

"Both."