Free What Endures by Katie Lee Page A

surprised when Tyler hadn’t returned downstairs for the rest of the night.
    He had been surprised, however, when Megan had nodded off about halfway into the movie. She had looked so peaceful that he hadn’t wanted to disturb her, so he had simply gone to his bedroom to retrieve a blanket and had draped it over her sleeping form before he settled in to finish the rest of the movie.
    The movie must have been a snoozer, literally, because the next thing he remembered was jolting awake late at night to a blue screen. He had only stopped long enough to reach for the remote to shut off the T.V. before falling back asleep.
    Now here he was. Sometime in the middle of the night, they had found their way into each other’s arms. He looked down at her, sleeping so peacefully, and was again struck by just how right, how good, this felt.
    It was as if waking with her in his arms was how it was supposed to be.
    He was struck again by one of those scattered, confusing flashes that left him wondering if he was recalling a memory, or if it was just a manifestation of his latent desire for her.
    This one was of Megan, hair tousled, and a lazy smile on her lips. She was snuggling against him and laughing. It was a lot like how she was now, nestled against him, but in the flash, she had been naked. She looked completely happy and content, and he had felt as if everything in his life was perfect.
    He shook his head. Was that a memory? Or just his mind playing tricks on him?
    He looked down at her again and couldn’t resist the urge to push some strands of hair away from her cheek. She was beautiful. He had thought that the moment he had opened his eyes in that hospital room to see her, eyes shining with relief and joy, smiling at him. He hadn’t changed his mind since. If anything, she seemed to have grown more beautiful since then.
    He had no trouble admitting that he was attracted to her. If it were any other situation, he would have made a move by now. But this wasn’t any other situation. He wasn’t just a guy attracted to some girl. And Megan was definitely not some girl.
    Truth be told, he couldn't really remember any of his moves, if he had any. The only clear memory he had of being with a girl was Alison Myers in 7th grade. There had been awkward groping and tongues lapping and he sure as hell hoped things had gotten better since then. He sure as hell hoped he had gotten better at things since then.
    Just then, he felt her stirring. Soon, her gorgeous hazel eyes fluttered open and slowly focused on him.
    He smiled. “Hi.”
    “Hi.” In that moment when sleep hadn't quite cleared itself completely from her mind, her expression was unguarded and he saw how much she wanted him, her feelings so clear in her eyes. To his surprise, but complete delight, her hand cupped his face as her fingers trailed along his jaw. They stared at each other for a long moment before she leaned up and pressed her lips against his. It was a soft, light touching of their lips but it was like someone turned on the power and bolt of electricity shot between them.
    She jerked back, her eyes wide. She was completely awake now. "Oh my God!"
    Unfortunately when she had jumped, their legs were still intertwined and she had come down, hard, on his still-healing leg.
    “Ow!” he yelled out involuntarily.
    “Oh my God!” She quickly tried to disentangle herself from him, but her hurried actions only made it worse.
    “Ow! Megan!”
    “Sorry!” She finally managed to separate herself and stumbled away from him. “God! I’m sorry! Are you O.K.?”
    He rubbed his leg. “It’s fine. Don’t worry.”
    Suddenly, footsteps were thundering down the stairs and a disheveled-looking Tyler, wearing a T-shirt and pajama-bottoms, rushed in. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Megan standing there, hair tousled from sleep and last night’s clothes completely rumpled.
    “Megan?” Tyler looked between the two of them, confused. “W-what are you doing