In Your Time

"You're going to dry my hair too?" I asked.

"You shouldn't keep going to bed with your hair wet. You'll catch a cold," he said as he brushed through my hair gently. My hair was well down my back, so it took him a while. He turned the blow dryer on and started drying my hair. He didn't finish until it was completely dry. He pulled the towel off and set it on the counter before he assisted me to stand.

"There, all done," he smiled. Braden's clothes were still wet. I looked him over before I sighed.

"I'm going to need some time by myself to get dressed. You should also change into something dry. Then we'll talk when you get back to my room," I said. He rubbed the back of his head as he nodded.

"I did ask for it," he chuckled. "I'll help you to your room first," he said. He helped me to my room before going to his own. I changed pretty slowly to be careful of my wounds. Luckily my pajamas were loose fitting. By the time I finished getting dressed, Braden had already knocked on my door. When I finished getting dressed, I let him in. He sat me down on the bed before sitting in a chair to face me. I sighed and prepared the words in my head before finally looking to him.

"Braden, I like you too," I started. "But I don't think we're a good idea. I don't know how much us being together would affect the future. And what happens when I finally get pulled back for good? What would you do?" I asked. He smiled lightly and moved a strand of hair from my face.

"Meeting you was probably a bigger factor than anything that comes after. Knowing exactly where you're from is also more threatening than dating you. As for afterwards, I'll have no choice but to keep you in my heart until I can see you again," he said easily.

"You didn't even think about it," I noted.

"I don't have to. The only important thing right now is that you like me too," he retorted.

"I don't think we should do anything

about

St'll only cause probity

his

head. He took my

in

d sighed.

"Everyone at school thinks we're engaged anyway. What's holding you back?" He asked. Thinking about it, I was scared. I was scared of changing the future, and I was scared of leaving him eventually.

"It would eventually end," I answered. He only smiled at me. "Then we should enjoy it while we can," he replied easily.

Braden skipped school again to quietly take care of me at the house for the next week. Seeing him change from the idol I knew in the future, to the jerk who disregarded me when I first got here, and finally to the sweet and gentle guy taking care of me now must've made me insane. I eventually gave in and agreed to date Braden, but I knew I was only asking for trouble.""""//