The Trip [5]

“Wait. I cant do this. Reid, I’m sorry.” I said as I got up and walked into the bathroom and locked the door.

“We don’t have to do that, we can just talk or whatever.” He said through the door.

“No we cant. I am just going to sleep in here tonight.” I said.

“Don’t be stupid. I turned the lights off and got in bed. Lets just sleep. You don’t even have to see me because the lights are off.” He said. I opened the door and walked over to the bed. I laid down as far on the edge as I could. I realized right then that I wasn’t tired because I slept in the car. “I’m sorry if I freaked you out with the kissing.” Reid said.

“You didn’t freak me out with the kissing. I have kissed guys before, it’s just I always thought you hated me.” I said.

“I could never hate you Preston. Loathe, maybe at one time, but I never hated you. In fact I lo-” He started but was interrupted by a knock on the door. I got up and opened it and Carter was there.

“I need to talk to you real quick.” He said. I nodded and stepped outside, closing the door behind me.

“What do you need to talk about?” I asked.

“Not right in front of your door. Reid can hear. C’mon.” He said and grabbed my arm and led me to the car. He opened the back door and we climbed in.

“Okay, is this a good rendezvous point, Sydney Bristow?” I asked him.

“Funny. I think you were right.” He said.

“Um, I’m always right but what was I right about?” I asked.

“Sam kissed me.” He said.

“I told you.” I said.

“P, this is no time for jokes. What do I do, I mean about her?” He asked me.

“Tell me what happened.”

“Well, we were playing cards because we weren’t tired and she just leaned over and kissed me.” He explained.

“Did you kiss her back?” I asked.

“I may have, for like a second. It’s just she’s so, un-Ashlyn like. She eats carbs and isn’t afraid of it and she doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. I love all of that, but Ashlyn is…I don’t know.” He said.

“It sounds like you do know. You liked Ashlyn’s appearance but you love everything about Sam. It does sound like your heart made up your mind.” I said to him.

“I know, but Reid will kill me if I make a move on her.” He said.

“I’ll handle him, just go tell her how you feel about her.” I said and opened the door. I walked back to my room to find Reid reading some book. I walked over to the bed and sat down.

“What did Carter want?” He asked.

“Well, he wanted me to ask you something.” I said. “Sam kissed him and he kissed her back. He just wants to make sure it is okay with you.” I said. He looked kind of mad.

“I just don’t want her to turn out like me. When I was her age, which was only a year ago, I did a lot of shit I’m not proud of, especially with girls. I just want hers to be special.” He said.

“We’re talking about sex right?” I asked.

“Yeah, I started having sex at fourteen, I know she’s sixteen now but she is still my baby sister. Carter is my friend and I know he wont hurt her but still. Do you have a little brother or sister?” He asked.

“I used to. He was four years younger than me. I loved him a lot.” I said.

“Used to?” He asked.

“He had leukemia and he died when he was six. That was about eight years ago.” I said.

“I am a jackass, I’m sorry.” He said as he put his hand on mine.

“You didn’t know and I don’t exactly like to broadcast it. Only my mom, dad, and Carter know. It’s the reason my parents broke up. They couldn’t handle the death so they drifted apart and my mom focused all of her time on giving me the best life she could, which meant Harvard Med school and becoming a doctor. I hate doctors, how am I supposed to be one?” I asked him.

“You got me. All my parents expect from me is to live with them until I’m like, 35. Which is why after I take Sam on this trip, I am going to settle down in some city and just live by myself for the rest of my life. I cant wait to get away from my parents but leaving Sam will be the hard part. If you really don’t want to go to med school, don’t go.” He said.

“I cant blow off Harvard. My mom will have a heart attack. I am just stuck living her life. Suddenly I feel like sleeping. Goodnight.” I said and rolled over on my side. He leaned over and planted a soft kiss on my cheek.

“Goodnight.” He said.