c h r i s

     I jolted up at the sound of screams. I looked over to Aria, she was screaming, yet her eyes were closed. She screamed out in agonizing pain, tears streaming from her eyes.

"Aria?" I called for her, shaking her body. Her screams became louder. "Aria!" I yelled louder, to wake her. Her eyes shot open as she jumped up and grabbed onto me.

Her red, puffy eyes looked into mine. Tears continued to stream from her eyes. I cupped her face, "Are you Okay? What- what happened? What's wrong?"

Aria's breathing didn't subside, still heavy. I looked down at her, "Hey. Look at me. I'm right here. You're here with me. You're safe, it was just a nightmare."

"But-" She began to ramble as she grabbed onto my arm. I searched her eyes, "Shh. You're okay. You're okay."

I pulled her into my arms, she placed her head into my chest. I tightened my arms around her comfortingly, I ran my hands through her hair, "You're okay. I promise nothing will happen to you. I would never let anything to happen to you. I will always protect you. Because that's what we do. We look out for each other."

She began to calm down. Aria pulled away from my chest and looked up at me, "I'm sorry for waking you up." I laughed a little, "Babe, you don't have to apologize for something that wasn't your fault. Okay?"

A small smile formed on her face and she shrugged, "I know how much you hate being woken up.." I chuckled and shook my head at her, "I don't care. You know why?" I asked. Aria shrugged once more. I tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, "Because I get to wake up to you."

Aria playfully rolled her eyes at me. I leaned down and pressed my lips against hers softly. Aria wrapped her arms around my neck. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me as I kissed her harder.

I pulled her onto my lap and she wrapped her legs around my torso as she ran her hand through her hair, her other arm wrapped around my neck still.

Aria pulled away for a split second, her lips brushing against mine as she spoke, "What time is it?"

I pecked her lips as I flipped us over so I was above her, "Why?" Aria laughed against my lips, "I have to get that couples photos printed." She kissed me between words.

"Fuck that." I cursed as I pushed the alarm clock off the table, turning it off. Aria chuckled a little bit as she continued to kiss me.

I felt her tug on the bottom of my shirt, I pulled my shirt over my head quickly and reattached our lips. Aria's hands roamed to my back.

"Feeling better?" I cockily asked. Aria pulled away and playfully rolled her eyes at me, "Don't be such a narcissist."

I shrugged, "Sorry, but I'm with you. How could I not let it get to my head?" I rhetorically asked as I softly pressed my lips against hers.

"You're lucky you're so charming, Schistad."