Chapter 17 Changing

• "I heard you scream and I thought something might've happened. Are you alright?" Lionel asked, voice low as he held me against his chest.
• My heart fluttered against my ribs, my pulse racing. I couldn't think of anything to say as a response, not when he was so close and warm against me. I opened and closed my mouth, and then I tried to push myself up off of him.
• "Please, be careful." Lionel tightened his hold on me. "Let me help you so you don't fall getting up."