Sarah sat in the kitchen looking at the want ads in the newspaper. She sighed as she circled another possibility. Just then, Kevin came in all hot and sweaty. She smiled when she saw him.

"Hey! How was the gym?" she asked.

"It was pretty good. It felt good to work out again. Haven't had a full work out in a while," he said as he took off his shirt. "I'm gonna go take a shower. I'll be back in a bit."

"Okay," Sarah said as she went back to her paper.

A few minutes later Kevin came out of the shower with fresh clothes on and walked into the kitchen. "What are you doing?" he asked as he looked through the fridge.

"I'm trying to find me a new job, but I'm not having much luck with that," Sarah said as she threw her pen down and rubbed her temples.

Kevin got a bottled water from the fridge and sat down next to her. "You don't need a job."

"But I want to help out on all the expenses. I'm living here too and I think that I should be able to help you out a little."

Kevin chuckled. "I'll say it again you don't need a job, but if you really want to go get one fine with me. I'm not gonna tell you how to live your life."

Sarah stared blankly at Kevin. "Wow, a guy who lets me do what I want. That's a first."

Kevin smiled and stood back up. "I'm gonna start some laundry. You need anything washed?"

Sarah shook her head. "I already washed my laundry this morning."

"Okay, well I'll be downstairs doing my laundry. If someone calls for me just come down and bring me the cordless."

"Okay," Sarah said as she stared back down at the paper. "God there is nothing in this stupid town!" she said as she chucked her pen across the room. Letting her chair scrape against the linoleum floor she stood up and stretched her muscles. She let out a sigh of frustration as she picked up the paper and went to her room. After days of living with Kevin she had finally gotten the room set up the way she wanted it. The bed was centered in the room with a night stand on both sides. Her lavender curtains draped from the large window. All her clothes were hung up in the walk in closet, and she managed to buy new stuff for her bathroom. Sarah opened a drawer on her dresser and pulled out some shorts and a top to sleep in then took them with her to the bathroom. She ran warm water over a wash cloth and washed her face then towel dried it after she was finished. Taking a look at herself in the mirror she could see there were dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. The bruise on her cheek was a light shade of brown, barely visible to the eye. Sarah sighed as she remembered that night. She shook the memory out of her head as she began to brush her teeth. When she was finished she shut of the bathroom light and returned to her room. Snatching her favorite teddy bear from her bed she sat down on the bay window and looked up at the stars from her window. The room was dark and silent. Nothing was stirring but the flickering lights of the lit candles in her room. The shadows bounced off the walls, like ghosts at play. Sarah was dreaming away when she heard a light tap on her door. She looked up and there stood Kevin.

"Mind if I come in?"

"No, not at all," Sarah said in almost a whisper.

Kevin sat across from her. "What are you doing sitting here in the dark?"

"Just thinking," she said, fiddling with her teddy bear's ear.

"Anything you want to talk about?" Kevin asked as he scooted closer to her.

Sarah shook her head. "No, I'm okay," she said as she shifted her shoulders. "God my neck and shoulders are killing me from looking at that damn paper all day."

"Come here, you look tense." Sarah moved closer to him and he began to massage her neck and shoulders.

"Mmm that feels good," she murmured.

"You're so tight. You need to relax," Kevin said as he continued rubbing her shoulders. He heard her sniffle. "You sure you're all right?" he asked gently, running his hands down her arms. Sarah let out a soft sob. Kevin wrapped his arms around her for comfort. "You don't have to say anything. . .I know it's rough."

Sarah turned around and looked up at Kevin. "I'm sorry, I know I must annoy you when I do that."

Kevin's green eyes softened as he wiped a tear from her cheek. "No, it doesn't annoy me at all. I understand you're going through a difficult time."

"I've never met anyone as understanding as you. I don't know what I'd do without you," Sarah said as she placed her hand on his cheek. Their eyes locked with intense as Sarah slowly moved forward. They're lips were almost touching when they were interrupted by the phone.

Kevin jumped and cleared his throat. "I'll go get that," he said then swiftly left the room.

Sarah sat there in bewilderment trying to soak in what had happened. Gripping her teddy bear she stood by her door and listened to Kevin.

"Hello? Oh hey mom! Yeah I know I've been busy." There was silent then he spoke again. "A girl?" He chuckled. "Oh that must have been Sarah. She's staying here with me. It's a long story I'll explain later. Do I like her?" Sarah moved closer to the doorway. "Oh mom you gotta meet her. . .she's. . .she's wonderful. No, she's not my girlfriend. . .though I kind if wish she was." She heard Kevin move down the hallway so she ducked away. Hearing the door to his room close she smiled at what just heard.