Page 46 of I Don't Need Your Protection

“Okay. I got scared for a second.”

I don’t like the thought of her being scared. At all.

“I’m going to take a shower and then go to bed,” she informs me.

“All right. I’ll be out here.”

I sit down on my chair and survey the room a few times to make sure nothing is out of place and that no one was in here. Everything looks in order.

Addilyn emerges from the bathroom a short while later, dressed in pajama shorts and a matching top. The design has different kinds of characters on it, ones I don’t recognize.

She glances down as she catches me staring at it. “What? It’s fromSpongeBob.”

I lift a brow. “Never heard of it.”

“It’s a TV show calledSpongeBob SquarePants. Mom and I used to watch it all the time when I was little.” She gets a forlorn look on her face, most definitely thinking about her parents.

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks. Anyway, isn’t it cute?” She spins around. “I think they’re my favorite.”

“They have a certain charm, yes,” I say. “Though I’d say the person wearing the pajamas is what makes them cute.”

She freezes and stares at me. “What?”

I stand. “I’ll be back in exactly five minutes. Don’t open the door for anyone.”

“Um, okay…”

I nod and disappear from her room. I’ve mastered the skill of leaving undetected and entering the boys’ dorm quickly. I reach my room, take a shower, and dress into my pajama bottoms and a tank top. Like Addilyn, I don’t have a roommate. Then I’m back in the girls’ dorm. I keep myself hidden as I head to her room.

She’s in her bed, snuggled under the covers. Her head lifts as she glances at the door.

She clicks her tongue. “That was six minutes, Mr. Big Muscles.”

I peer at the time. “No. It was five.”

“Nope. Six.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “I didn’t expect you to time me.”

She throws her hands up. “Sheesh, dude. You’re only human. It’s okay that you were a minute late.”

No, it’s not. I blame it on being distracted by the events that took place this evening, especially Addilyn dancing and the bright smile on her face. Darn it. I’m slipping and that’s not good.

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” she asks.

I blink my thoughts away. “Good night, Addilyn.” I pull the tank top over my head and toss it on my chair. I feel her eyes on me—specifically on my chest—as I walk to the second bed and drop down on it. When I glance at her, she quickly looks away. Then she faces me once more, her eyes sprinting to my chest before she yanks them away again.

“Good night, Caleb,” she says and rolls onto her other side, her back turned to me. I sit on the bed, waiting until she’s fast asleep. Then I go into the closet and update Dad on what’s been going on.

Chapter Fifteen

Addie

Too bad the weekend is over. I had a lot of fun hanging out with my friends. We spent some time in the rec room, we went off campus to the nearby mall, and of course we did our homework. Now it’s Monday and time for a whole new week of classes. I do enjoy school, I just like spending time with my friends more.

I didn’t see much of Warner. I think he was away for most of the weekend. A part of me hopes I didn’t make a fool of myself dancing with him on Friday night. When we finished dancing, he told me he’d catch me later. That must mean he’s still into me, right?