As promised, Sam is waiting for me by the outdoor check-in counter, and he opens my door for me.
"Ready?" he asks through a giant spring break grin.
I yawn in response, even as I think to myself that he looks adorable - and freaking sexy - when he's all excited, too.
Sam chuckles. "Wake up, Pine. You can sleep when we get back."
My mother shakes Sam's hand and makes him promise to look out for me before driving off, and Sam tosses his duffle over his shoulder and reaches for my bag.
"I got it," I murmur through another insuppressible yawn. "It rolls."
"Why don't you just focus on walking straight, sleepyhead. I'll check the bags."
I'm too tired to argue, so I hand it over and follow him to get our boarding passes. Everyone else has gone ahead, so it's just Sam and me going through security. I remove my jacket and shoes in a daze as Sam sets our carry-ons on the belt.
A TSA agent pulls me aside for a random additional screening and I sigh.Great,I get to go through the machine that allows strangers to see through my clothing. A machine called "Rapiscan", as if there could possibly be a more poorly chosen, and perhaps aptly fitting name.
Sam follows me to the screening area and I'm confused when we pass by the machine.
"Hold out your hands, ma'am, and spread your legs," the female agent directs, demonstrating how she wants me to stand. I blink at her with wide eyes as my pulse takes off like a 747.She's going to touch me.
Now I'm awake.
"What about the- uh, scanner?"
"It's not in service," she murmurs disinterestedly. "Now please stand like this," she repeats, showing me again.
Oh shit.I don't know if I can handle this. A strangertouchingme. A stranger touching meeverywhere. My gaze darts around in panic and finds Sam's worried eyes. He knows. Without me having to say anything, he knows.
"Ma'am."
"I uh, is there anything else you can do? I can't... I..."Fuck. They're not going to let me get on a plane if I refuse a pat down. I don't know if I can handle a freaking pat down!
"Ma'am, are you alright?"
I concentrate on my breathing, I can't hyperventilate here. I don't even have my pills - they're in my bag, and the agent took it after bringing me over here.Oh, God.
Sam's fingers find mine and wrap tightly around my hand. I didn't even notice him make his way to my side. "Ror, it's okay. You're fine," he whispers.
"Excuse me, sir, you need to wait over there," the agent orders, a warning.
"Can I have a quick word?" he asks.
I don't hear the agent's response. I can't concentrate on anything other than controlling my breathing. Sam's fingers release mine and my breath catches and escapes me.
I'm vaguely aware that Sam is several feet away talking to the agent, but I can't focus. I close my eyes and count and count, my mouth going bone-dry as I break out into a cold sweat.
I blink a few times to help get my bearings.
A stranger touching me like that.Anyonetouching me like that!Oh, God.
My chest constricts painfully, choked by an invisible, unyielding steel band that continues to tighten incrementally, and the vaguely disembodied sound of my own gasping breaths taunt me.
"Ror, take these," Sam's voice is back, right in my ear. I close my palm around my pill bottle. He's gotten them for me. "Lidia here needs to pat you down. You're going to be okay, but if you need to take one, then take one, okay?" He waits for my shaky nod. "I explained to her that you don't like being touched, so she's going to make it as quick as possible. Right, Lidia?"
"It will take less than a minute," she assures us.
"I'm not allowed to hold your hand, but I'm going to be two feet away, see?" He waits for me to make eye contact and then takes two cautious steps back. "Keep looking at me, Ror."
