36 Comfort

Rachael Point of View:

What a day, I thought as I walk out of my last class. I never knew Hannah could be a pain in the ass, sorry not sorry. Ever since the bathroom session with her, she has been following me to every place I went.

"Hannah," I turn around, annoyed. "As you can see, I am still alive and well."

She stopped in her tracks and crossed her arms. "I'm just trying to protect you."

I looked at her like she's crazy, "You know, you probably look like a dog right now."

"And?" Hannah asks, walking closer. "What's so bad about it?"

"Hannah, I'll be fine, okay?" I sigh. I know she's following because she doesn't want anyone to "come and take her place."

"No." She says, grabbing my hand. "My job is to protect you."

"Hannah, I told you, I don't need your protection." I groan, slipping my hand out of her grasp. "And, I have a study date with -"

"Study date?!" She shouts at me. Her eyes narrow and glare at me, and a frown on her lips.

"Baby, it's just a study date with friends," I say softly, taking her hand in mine. "With Sophie and Mason, that's it."

"Tch," Hannah scoffs. "Why not me?"

"Because you don't take any classes that I take, and I'm falling behind, too," I answer her. "And, why are you mad?"

"I'm sorry, babe. I thought you were going on a date with someone else," She apologizes and turns my hand around to kiss my hand."

I wonder why Hannah is so possessive lately, and I hope it's not because of what had happened between us. Her past should never affect us, and I shouldn't be accusing her either. She did want to change for the better.

"Baby, what's the matter?" I ask, looking at her. She turns her head slightly and brushes her hair away from her face. Her eyes look into mine, fill with confusion.

"What do you mean?" She question, holding my hand tighter. "I'm doing fine."

"Because you're so controlling and overprotective, and -"

"I'm sorry if I've been controlling and overprotective," Hannah interrupts, stopping in her tracks. She positions herself in front of me and grabs both of my hands into hers. "I'll be paying for my own mistakes, and I don't want you to be all caught up in my mess."

What? I look at her confused, and she gives me a soft smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

"We never get to talk about this, and it's because I'm scared to tell," She says softly. "I thought you're going to drift away after finding out that my ex-girlfriend is Sam, and I'm sorry that you're in the middle of everything."

Her eyes remain looking into mine, then wrapped her arms around me.

"I want to be a better partner for you, and I don't want my problems to be your problems. Also, I want us to move on from all the problems that had happened. Like, the tension between Austin and me and my past relationship. I'm sorry if I was being overprotective or controlling because I was afraid of losing you."

"Losing me?" I whisper, holding her close to me as I lay my head on her shoulder. "What makes you think that, baby?"

Her chest rises and lowers as she took a deep breath and continues, "Because our relationship started after a short-term of friendship, and we never get to know each other well enough. I was afraid of you leaving because..."

I close my eyes as I shift a bit to her chest and listen to her heartbeat.

"Why is your heart beating so fast?" I ask and rubs her back. "Are you scared? Nervous?"

She remains silent for a moment then I felt a kiss on my head.

"It's just, I'm so lucky to have a girl like you in my arms, and I'm nervous because I don't want to mess up," Hannah whispers into my air, feeling her breaths on my ear. "And I don't want to mess up again, and I want to treat you right."

I hum in agreement and embracing her warmth against me.

"And, we can learn about each other as days go past," I say. "So, don't worry, okay? Are you willing to do that?"

Hannah mumbles, "I love you."

"Are you willing to do that, baby?" I ask again.

"Yes, I'm willing to learn more about you and us," She says happily, feeling her body shake in happiness. My eyes remain close, and we continue staying in the position. Her arms are wrap around my shoulder, and my arms wrap around her waist.

I'm happy that she's happy and knowing that she's afraid that she'll lose me. It makes me wonder if I had messed up on my part, too. I don't want to hurt Hannah, and I'm willing to be the person who's going to stay with her as she goes through her changes. However, there are so many problems circling my mind. Sam still lingers in my mind, but I need to remind myself that she's just a silly old crush that I had. Now, I've got a girlfriend, and Austin's issue should never be my problem when it doesn't involve me.

"So you want to flip over a new page? And forget about the past?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I want to, and I'm not going to give up," Hannah says, rocking us side to side. I look at her, and she looks down at me.

"I'm proud of you," I say happily.

She smiles at me before closing the distance between us. Our lips move along with each other, and our eyes flutter-

"There's a place that's called a room, and excuse me. I'm willing to use my locker," says a sharp-hard voice breaking our kiss and turning our attention to the person. Samantha. My eyes widen as I saw her, and she looks at Hannah than me before walking in between us.

Meanwhile, Sam passes in between us. She stops in front of me with her head tilted a bit back and looks down at me.

Emotionlessly, she said, "I've tasted those lips before, too."

Then, she walks off to her locker, and Hannah gives her a soft smile, even though Sam's back is facing us.

"It's been a while, Samantha," Hannah speaks up and walks towards Sam. Oh lord, I don't think that's a good idea, Hannah.

"Remember that night?" Sam coldly says when Hannah reaches to her side.

"What?" Hannah asks, looking at her confused.

"That night. When we were on the rooftop to view the city lights. After that, we drove around the city blasting music in the car, going under the trees to count the stars, breaking into your aunt's house to swim in her pool, making promises with each other, singing our song, dancing under the stars, and sharing our touches and kisses." Sam says with a small, sad smile on her lips.

I look at her, biting my lips as my heart aches for her. She still remembers their memories, and it hurts me knowing what had happened in the end.

"Sam, I..." Hannah whispers. "I remember."

Sam looks at me before turning her back towards us.

"I'm not saying this because I miss you, Hannah. I'm saying this because I want you to treat Rachel right, make her happy, and don't break her. Take her to places like you did to me."