"I'm going to miss Ramos," Sidra pouts. "She was fun." 
                          
Sidra
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Sam and I disappear to my room without running into someone. Now that my mother's back in town and busy with her work, and David's staying at the cabin, no one will bother us. I started unpacking my bags Burkhardt and I brought in earlier when Sam collapsed on the bed. 
                          
"You're still tired?" I ask him. He nods, hugging the pillow the best he can with his sling. "I'll be quiet." He nods again but slower this time and I watch his body relax and sink into my bed. I frown, I didn't know he was still so exhausted. I cross the room to him and place a kiss on his forehead. He smiles. I steal one more glance of my sleeping Sam then return to my bag. I cannot explain how relieved and lighthearted I am at how better he seems. It broke my heart to see him like that last night. But he's here now, sleeping peacefully with a small grin on his handsome face. I know what he said before about him being alright as long as I am is true because it's the same case for me. I can suffer a lifetime of hell but the moment I see he's fine then I am too. I love him. I love him so much and the way he loves me only makes me love him more. 
                          
I finish packing all my bags then-Ring...I jump at the sudden noise...Ring
                          
I snatch my ringing phone off the armchair. I answer the car without seeing who's calling because I don't want the ringing to wake Sam. "Hello?" I whisper, rushing out into the hallway. 
                          
"Oh, Sidra, I'm so glad you picked up!"
                          
It takes me a moment to recognize the voice. "Gisella. Hey, hon, how you doing?"
                          
Words begin to pour out of her like a waterfall. "I'm fine-well, kinda. Are you busy tonight? Because I called Paul and he said you were out of town but you come back today and I didn't want to bother you but I'm desperate! Do you think you and Sam can watch Jamal for me tonight?" 
                          
"Um, what time and for how long?"
                          
"You would have to be here by seven-thirty and it's only for...two hours! Maybe three. I'm not sure." I can hear the pout in her voice. "Will that be a problem?"
                          
"Of course not. Send me your address and we'll be there."
                          
"Thank you so much! I'll do it right now. I'm not sure how I'll ever-"
                          
"Please, don't," I softly interrupt. "It's no issue."
                          
"Oh, okay. Well, I'll see you later then."
                          
"Later," I promise then hang up. I debate on waking Sam and telling him we're babysitting tonight or going to my mother to tell her I'm babysitting tonight. But Sam's asleep and I don't want to wake him, not yet, and I don't want to bother my mother alone. So I go find Burkhardt instead. I go to his room but there was no answer when I knocked. I checked the gym, the kitchen, the living room, the dens, the library, the classroom, the offices-even the movie theater, but nothing. I can't find him and no one has seen him either. I roam around aimlessly until I found myself in front of the door leading to the bar downstairs. I haven't checked the bar yet...
                          
I open the door to a poorly lit flight of stairs. There's no light above the steps because someone thought the lights in the bar were bright enough to cover everything. They are not. I carefully descend the steps, my hand on the wall as if it's going to save me from falling. I reach the bottom of the steps and turn. I find Burkhardt sitting at the bar. He downs a shot then pours another. 
                          
"Burkhardt?" I cross the room to him. 
                          
"Yeah," he says flatly. 
                          
"What are you doing here? Did something happen?" He doesn't answer. He takes another shot then starts drinking from the bottle. "Burkhardt!" I bark, snatching the bottle of Hennessy from him. "What are you doing?!" 
                          
"I'm tired," he mutters. He won't turn to face me so I'm stuck staring at the side of his face. With the dim lighting and the shadows casting over him, I can easily mistake him for someone else. I was able to recognize him at the end of the steps but not when I'm a foot away from him-who the hell designed this place? 
                          
"Jacob, come on, you should lie down." I tug at his arm but he won't budge. He finally turns to face me. I probably have a second to take him in before he quickly places his hand on my cheek and leans in. His lips barely touch mine before I pull away. I gasp. What. The. Fuck. Just. Happen?
                          
He looks at me utterly shocked as if I just tried to kiss him. "No, Sidra, I'm so sorry-"
                          
"I should go!" I rush out as I turn away and move towards the steps. 
                          
"No, Sidra!" Burkhardt grabs and yanks me by my arm, forcing me to face him again. Pain shots up my arm and I swallow a wince. But I do shudder, a lump building in my throat. "Please, I'm drunk, Sidra-it meant nothing. You can't tell Roback! He'll kill me!" He exclaims loudly in my face, pure fear in his eyes. I'm not sure how long he's been in here but he reeks of alcohol and his eyes are bloodshot. He must've started drinking the moment we got home...that was almost an hour ago. 
                          
"Let me go!"
                          
"HE'LL KILL ME!" He yells, grabbing my other arm. 
                          
"I won't! Let me go!" I feel his grip loosen on me and I shove him off. I take off running up the steps and down the hall. My body is suddenly heavy and I begin to stumble over my own feet. I slowed down to a halt. With trembling hands, I hold my hands. What the hell is going on? What the hell just happen? Why would Burkhardt do that? Why would he kiss me especially now, knowing the truth of my relationship with Sam? Then I suddenly remember the conversation we had at Seinfeld's bachelor party. 
                          
You really think everyone drools over you, huh? You think you're some goddess that no one can resist? His words replay in my head. 
                          
Nope, I had answered. I hooked a finger in his belt loop and tugged him closer. I was only messing with him. Our faces were less than an inch apart. But have you ever 'drooled' over me before?
                          
His eyes fallen to my lips. I remember questioning if he wanted to kiss me. But he groaned and stepped back. Clearly, I've had way too much to drink, he muttered. 
                          
I shudder. He wanted to kiss me. He really wanted to fucking kiss me. I had completely forgotten everything because of Sam. He had nearly choked Burkhardt seconds after what happened. And I always thought Burkhardt was drunk so really it didn't matter. But he's dunk now and I can't help but think is it the alcohol making him do stupid and reckless things or is it bringing his true feelings to the surface? 
                          
I push what just happened and my questions aside and head to my mother's main office.