The room fell dark. It is now late in the evening, so the sun has set. The only light illuminating from the television, as it quietly plays in the background.

I fiddle with my fingers, having to keep my hands occupied. Jay has been awfully quiet since Cassy walked in on us kissing.

After she walked back out of the door, he stopped laying on me and sat like a normal person. His arm didn't even snake around my waist.

Jay is not quiet, not around me. He is very daring and doesn't care who sees what he is doing to a girl. Hell, I've witnessed one of his not-so-lovely make out sessions with a random. It was during a party, and he kissed her in front of everyone.
And no, they had never dated.

The quiet atmosphere screamed at me, causing anxiety to crawl up my skin. As much as he annoys me, I dislike when Jay says nothing.

The urge to break this painful silence was so strong. But every time I opened my mouth, the words just crawled back into my throat.
I was incapable of saying something.

Finding a way to distract myself, I grab my phone off of the coffee table. It had been sitting idly, but I need some form of entertainment.

Tapping across the screen, I sent a text to Jackson. He was my scapegoat in this situation.

"Who are you texting?" Jay finally spoke up. I bit my lip, ignoring the question.

But to my dismay, the cellular device was quickly snatched out of my grip. I look to the side, silently questioning Jay's strange action.

He didn't look at the phone. Instead, he set it back on the table. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"I asked you a question," he stated.

"Yep, you did."

"It's rude to ignore people. You seem to do that a lot," I chuckle at his response.

"Stop telling me what is rude," I snap. "I only ignore you."

"Who were you talking to?" He asks again.

"Why are you so worried, Jay?" I question back.

"Because you are with me. You shouldn't be texting anyone else."

"Ugh, my god." I complain. "This is why we couldn't be in a relationship."

"Why?" He blurts in disbelief.

"You're annoying, so we always argue."

"If we were in a relationship, I wouldn't be as annoying. I would've already had the chasing part done, so the cute stuff would be left," He rambled. I'm not sure what he meant by cute stuff, but oh well.

"Whatever," I dismiss while waving him off.

Remember when I said that I didn't like when he was silent? I'm beginning to change my mind.

"No, don't be like that please."

"I'm tired," I answer.

And it was the truth. I did not have the energy to bicker with this boy.

"Then sleep," he answered.
But he doesn't understand.

"No, I can't." My fingers find their way to my hair, nervously running through the long locks.

"Why not?" He asks.
Jay curiously eyed me, waiting for an answer.

"I cannot tell you," I exasperate.
I do not want to find myself telling him anything about myself. That's when you know that you have grown close with someone.

"Yes you can," he assures while tenderly holding my hand. I think he noticed how anxious I was.

My eyes roll slightly, trying to send the signal that I did not want to talk about it.

"Just tell me," he pushes again. "What could go wrong?"

"Everything," I mumble. I thought that it was inaudible, but of course I was wrong.

"Like what?"

"You're not exactly a trustworthy person."

"What does that mean?" He questions. His long, slender fingers were rubbing my knuckles.

"Jay, you know what it means," I answer. "I just can't tell you anything personal."

"Is it really that bad? Do you have insomnia?"

"No, it's not that bad. But you will laugh at me, and then I'll get angry with you."

"I would never laugh at you," he answers, looking straight into my eyes. His gaze was so intense that it gave me goosebumps.

"Fine," I surrender.
Immediately, his face brightens.

"Okay, now tell it to me."

"I can't sleep in front of other people," I answer, hiding my face. It was my way of preparing for his laughter. But it never came.

I parted my fingers, peeking through them.
He was examining me. There wasn't even a grin plastered on his face-- it was completely serious.

"Go on," he urged.
So, I continued.

"If people see my sleeping face, I feel humiliated. So it keeps me awake if there are other people in the room." I explain. I was completely embarrassed, but Jay didn't make it worse like I thought he would have.

"That's it?" He asks, narrowing his eyes.

"What do you mean, 'that's it'?" I exclaim.
"It's completely ridiculous."

"No it isn't," He states.

"Serious?" I blurt, completely surprised by his reaction.

"Yes, of course," Jay says. "I don't know why you are embarrassed. But if you are tired, you really should sleep."

"I don't want to...." I trail.

"I will put you in the bed," he assures.
My eyebrows knit in confusion.

"Why?"

"That way, I can't see you." My jaw drops.
He was really finding a way so that I may sleep comfortably.

"But what about you?" I ask, concerned.

"Don't worry about it," he squeezes my hand tightly. "I'll be happy, as long as you are."

"O-okay," I whisper. A smile ghosted on Jay's features.

He scooped me into his arms, effortlessly carrying me bridal style. I gasp, smacking his chest.

"Why?" He asks with a chuckle, referring to my shock. "I have to carry the princess to her bed."

I shake my head, fighting back a giggle. He sure knows how to sweet talk.

Jay kicks my door open since it was slightly cracked, and walks inside. I then hear him inhale deeply.

"Why are you doing that?" I ask, giving him a skeptical look.

"Your room really smells nice," he answers, chuckling again. I think that there is something wrong with this boy.

He tenderly placed me onto the bed, but his arms remained wrapped around my body.

"Uh, Jay?" I speak, tapping his arms. "You can let go now."

"I don't want to," he whines, nuzzling his face into the base of my neck. I feel Jay's weight completely cover me as he shifts his body.
He is now laying on top of me.

"Jay," I pout.
He lifts his head, pecking my lip that was jutted out. I quickly stop, and gawk at him.

"Don't whine, or I'll just keep kissing you. My heart can't handle your pouts," he answers, placing his head to my chest.

I chose to ignore what he said.
"Jay," I plead again. I'm not sure why, but I always find myself saying his name.

"Yes, princess?" He asks, placing a kiss on my chest. Tch he's getting comfortable, I see.

"I'm cold," I answer.

"I'll warm you up," he says while holding me tighter.

"No," I choke out. "I want the covers."

"Ah, fine." He gets off of me, pulling the blankets over my body.
Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to my forehead.
"Sleep well, sweetheart. If you need me, I'll be in the living room."

"Thank you, mom." I joke.

"No, babe" He answers, the smirk apparent in his voice. "I'm your daddy."

My jaw drops, and I quickly pull the covers over my blushing face. I hear Jay laughing to himself as he shuts my door.

Letting out a sigh of relief, I finally shut my eyes.

_______

"Cassy, how are you?" I spoke through the phone for the thousandth time. It was getting late, and I'm starting to worry about her. "When you get this voicemail, please call me back." I end the call with a sigh.

"Is she alright?" Jay asks, peeking his head into my room. I shrug my shoulders, not knowing how to answer.

"I'm sure everything will be fine." He says again, patting my shoulder. It seems like he's had to comfort me all night.

"I have a bad feeling..." I trail off.

But then, there was a sound that terrified me. It was a female shriek, so chilling that I felt in ache in every none of my body. Fear flooded through my veins, sending a wave of nausea as well.

I'd know that voice anywhere.
Even if it was just a shriek.

"Raina," his soothing voice spoke. But it only echoed through my head. Everything was black, and it felt as though time had stopped.

"Raina," he kept saying. "Wake up."

Oh, how I wish I could wake up.

"Wake up!" He yelled right in my ear.

I shoot up, gasping for air. A bead of sweat trickled down my face, as I sat in bed.

My gaze shifts to the side, finding Jay. He was watching me intently, a look of concern plastered on his face.

"It was just a dream," he said quietly while wiping the sweat off of my face. I let out a shaky breath, nodding my head.

"How did you know?" I whisper, avoiding eye contact.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"How did you know to come and wake me up?"

"I heard whimpers coming from your room, so I came to see how you are doing," He was still watching my every move.

His fingers touched me so tenderly; it seemed that he thought the slightest touch would shatter me.

"I'm sorry you have to see me like this," I mumble while pinching the bridge of my nose. I really didn't want him to see me in such a vulnerable state.

"Don't be sorry, I want to help you."
His answer was packed with sincerity, sending the slightest butterflies through my stomach.

"Where's Cassy?" I ask, finally looking into his eyes. Sadness flashed through them, but he quickly regained his posture.

"She..." he trailed off, chewing on his full lips.
"Well, she isn't home yet."

"What time is it?" I ask, pulling the covers off of my body completely.

"It's four in the morning," He answered, still not prying his gaze off of me.

"And she hasn't returned?"

"No, she is still gone." My face dropped immediately.
What if my dream comes true?
What if she is actually hurt?

"Your nightmare was about her, wasn't it?" Jay said. It should have been a question, but it came out as more of an observation. I knew that it was rhetorical, so I did not reply.

Silence hung thick in the air once again, but this time I had a different reason to be nervous. And that reason is whether or not my best friend is okay.

"You should try to sleep more. She could have found a place to stay," he suggests while pushing my shoulders back. It's his way of telling me to lay down.

"No, I have to stay awake," I press. "What if she calls while I am asleep?"

"Then you wake up and answer the phone call." He says matter-of-factly.

I guess he is right. It is not good to stay up and worry, when she is probably somewhere safe. I know Cassy, and I doubt that she would run off with a person that isn't trustworthy. I hope she wouldn't, anyway.

"You're right," I admit. I made sure to look him in the eyes while saying it. They widened, giving me an odd look.

"Really?" He asks, his voice going an octave higher.

"Really," I repeat. He nods victoriously, forcing me to lean back again.

My body slides down, reconnecting with the mattress. It was relieving in a sense.

But honestly-- I was still worried. All of the terrifying possibilities zip through my mind, causing my stomach to do flips. Feeling uneasy, I began biting my nails. It's the only thing I can do in order to not lose my mind.

"Well, I will let you sleep then" He breathes, hesitantly stepping back from the bed.

"Okay," I whisper.

Him, kissing my forehead once again.
But this time, his lips lingered longer.

I didn't feel like he was being suggestive. I got the vibe that he was sending waves of comfort through his soft, plush lips. They felt warm against my skin.

Moments later, he pulls away. "Goodnight," a gentle whisper is said to me.

But as he turns to leave, I reach out and grab his wrist. Surprised by my actions, he whips around to face me.

His brown eyes were widened, and those thick lips were parted. Even I was shocked at how bold it was.

"Stay with me," I whisper again, scanning his face. The room was rather dark, but I could still make out each of his features.

"Are you sure?" He asks, not knowing if he should do it or not.

"I'm more than sure."

With little hesitation, he slowly crawls into bed. His strong arms wrap around me, giving protection. Our bodies mold together, exchanging warmth.

And for the first time in months, I fell asleep with the feeling of content.