"Can I sleep with you, Able?"
Oh God, just imagine if I had both girls in my tent.
"Are you scared of the dark, too?"
She gave me a funny look, her eyebrows crossed. "No, who's scared of the dark?"
My hand rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "Never mind. Of course, you can sleep with me."
I laid down in my pile of blankets, just wanting to get to sleep. I opened my arms and smiled as I felt her head nestle into my chest. My hands went through her shirt, rubbing her back gently. Her skin felt so smooth.
I felt her hand tracing my abs. Annette is usually too shy to touch me this way. I smiled to myself, thinking about how peacefully she sleeps on my chest while keeping her hands to herself. I won't lie; I'm definitely worried that she'll sleep alone because she won't come in here with Abby.
After what seemed like a little less than an hour, Abby slept so sweetly on my chest. I could never fathom how anyone could harm her. She's so sweet and innocent. I caught a glimpse of Annette's reflection sitting next to the campfire. I thought that was a jerk move by Elias to leave her here alone.
Gently, I laid Abby down next to me and felt relieved that she didn't wake up. I watched her sleep for a moment, my stomach turning in knots as I noticed the visible bruises on her face.
I moved out of my tent. I could tell Annette was sleepy because her body kept jerking forward, confirming that she was dozing off.
I walked toward her and confirmed my suspicions when I saw her eyes were closed. My hands gently grabbed her body, lifting her into my arms.
"But Abby is sleeping with you," she moaned.
"I don't care; you're not sleeping alone, baby."
I laid Annette down a few sleeping spots away from Abby. I never thought I'd have two girls sleeping with me. This is so fucked up.
I laid down, pulling the blankets over me. I felt eyes watching me, and I knew Annette wanted to sleep on my chest.
"Come here."
I smiled as she took her place in my arms. She looked up at me, and I fought the urge to kiss her.
"Your body feels so cold. You're crazy for staying out there so long."
I grabbed more blankets, making sure her body was completely wrapped. I rubbed her cheek gently with my hand; her eyes never left my face.
"What does Abby have that I don't? You never wanted me the way you do her."
I felt my heart beginning to shatter.
"What are you talking about? There's nothing going on between Abby and me."
"I've seen you kiss her." She looks down, and I see the hurt in her eyes.
I took a deep breath, starting to feel a little interrogated. So that's why she's acting this way. She's jealous.
"And I've kissed you."
"So you just go around kissing girls, and it means nothing?"
My hand lifted her chin so she could look directly into my eyes. "No, Annette. I kissed you because I felt something between us."
"And you kissed Abby for the same reason."
I began to feel disappointed in myself. Am I leading two girls on here? But she is with Elias.
"And what about Elias? Don't you have feelings for him?"
I saw the frown overtake her face. "I just didn't feel the same when he kissed me as I did when you did."
I gently brushed her cheek with my hand, smiling when she grabbed it with hers.
"Kiss me, Able."
I wanted to; I really did. I knew in my head that this was the kind of thing I had to avoid. I really don't need a love triangle right now. It was becoming obvious that there was something between Annette and me. But there's also a spark between Abby and me, and then there's the situation with Elias.
"I can't."
I saw the hurt on her face, which bothered me. Her beautiful green eyes looked away from me and onto the ground.
"Because you like Abby more."
"No, because I don't want to hurt Elias."
She lay her head on my chest, and just like Abby, I rubbed her back gently until she fell asleep.