I wake up because of a nightmare this time.

My eyes fly open, desperately trying to rid my mind of those horrid flashbacks as they torment me. My heart beats rapidly within its cage, my chest, my lungs ache for untainted air, and cold sweat runs down my back and neck, making me shiver. I almost feel bad for struggling out of the bed and its suffocating silk sheets, because, whoever put me to bed, did it with care. I was undressed and carefully tucked in like a precious little kid. I crawled away from the tangled sheets and leaned against the cool glass of the window, letting the soothing cool temperature of it melt into my bare skin, calming my fiery nerves. Labored breaths escape my pale, blue tinted, lips as I hastily wipe away the nearly dried tears from my face. Unable to stop the shakes that make my body wriggle pathetically, I tangle my hands in my hair and tug in frustration. I hug myself tightly and bite my lip, urging myself to calm down when all I can see behind my closed eyelids is the blank eyes of my father as he lies on the floor, lifeless. Dead. A bullet hole resting right between his eyes as the scream of my mother shakes the house. I clamp my hands over my ears, but the sound doesn't let up or even lessen. Another scream rips through the air, and it takes a minute for me to realize that it's my own voice producing the glass-shattering shriek. Footsteps pound rapidly, growing closer, but I can't determine whether it's real or a flashback. I knew something like this would happen eventually, that I'd break down, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. I don't even realize that I had closed my eyes until a voice breaks through to me, shattering my illusions.

"CONRAD!"

I break the hold it has on me in a flash as that familiar voice calls out to me. My eyes snap open quickly, barely looking into a pair of chocolate ones before I'm rushing out of the room passed him and into the bathroom. I collapse in front of it in time to heave up the contents of my stomach into the white bowl. Spitting bitterly, I wrinkle my nose in disgust and quickly flush the foul smelling contents away before standing up on shaky legs. I lean over the sink, trying to support myself as I wash the horrid taste from my mouth, and then, I notice the worried boy behind me. Finishing up, I slowly turn to face him, not daring to look into his eyes after what just happened combined with what I did last night. Yes, I remember, but I dont exactly agree with the course of action I stupidly took. I'd rather our first kiss have been more special.

"Are you okay? Do you need to stay home?" He questions, feeling my forehead gently, treating me as if I'm made of glass.

I nod shakily, barely comprehending what he's saying. I feel my legs give out and I fall against the blonde, who expertly catches me. He cradles me to him, as if he's scared to let me go, in time for Danny to finally reach us.

"What happened?" He asks, his voice practically dripping with worry and exhaustion.

"I think he had a nightmare or something, and then, he threw up," Michael tells him softly. His hand strokes my hair, and I feel myself finally relax as the memories fade.

"Well," Danny starts sadly, "I have to work today, and my boss will have my ass if I don't show up. Can you stay home with him today?"

"Of course."

"Good. Hey, Conrad." he directs a greeting to me, and I weakly look up to him. "Get better soon," he gently orders, kissing my forehead with a small smile.

I raise the corners of my lips, attempting to smile.

Danny departs soon after that, leaving Michael and I alone. He picks me up gently and leaves the bathroom. "Can we go to the living room?" I ask weakly, my voice hoarse and quiet.

He nods without a sound and trots down the stairs obediently, setting me down gently on the couch. "Do you need anything?" He asks, worry etched into his beautiful face.

"Coffee?" I ask, looking up at him with my best puppy dog eyes.

He smiles softly and nods, leaving the room as I lay down on the smooth, plush leather. Eager to not fall asleep again, I turn on the News, watching them discuss political things I never bothered to care about. I manage to sit up as Michael returns with a thick blanket and steaming cup of coffee. He sets the mug down on the coffee table and wraps the blanket around my bare shoulders like a mother would her child. I know im only in my boxers, but I can't bring myself to care as Michael plops down next to me. It's tense and awkward, but what else would happen. I kissed him. My face flames as I remember what happened the night before, and I subconsciously curl into myself in embarrassment.

"Hey," I start, glancing up at him as he nonchalantly channel surfs. "Sorry about last night." I twiddle my thumbs together before grabbing my coffee and pulling it to my lap. I sip it nervously to stop any word vomit from spilling from my mouth.

"Don't worry about it," he tells me, a teasing smile gracing his lips, making me scowl.

"What?" I ask with a pout.

He laughs a little at me and shakes his head. "Cute," is all he says, making my face erupt in fiery confusion.

I feel nervous energy course through my veins. Did he just call me cute? "What?" I manage dumbly, placing my cup down quickly.

He looks at me, as if contemplating something, before he turns toward me fully. "You're cute," he says with a shrug.

I gape in confusion.

Why is he being so open all of a sudden? Why is he calling me cute!?

"I-I, uh..." I stare at him with wide eyes, making him smirk in amusement.

He shakes his head again before opening up his arms. "Come here," he tells me softly. I obey and move over to him, immediately swept up against him in a warm hug. I melt into him, my nightmare becoming a thing of the past.

I pull away and look at him. I want to thank him. I want to tell him how much he's come to mean to me. I want to promise him that I'll do my best to make him happy. I don't get to do anything like that, because I'm cut off by a gentle kiss. He places his lips over mine, shocking me. It's not hungry, and there's no movement or tongue. Even so, I can feel the emotion behind it. My feelings are definitely not one sided.

He pulls away after a few seconds and looks at me with a smile, making me bite my lip.

"Conrad Mulley," he says, "will you go on a date with me?" My brows raise in surprise, and my voice abandons me.

My mouth opens and closes rapidly, trying to get out the words of confirmation I so desperately want to give him. His face grows worried, making me panic. So, I do the only thing I can think of.

I kiss him again.

It's eager the way I kiss him, and he returns the kiss immediately. His hand cups the back of my head as I hungrily lick at his lips, wanting him to let me in. He refuses to open up, and I pull away with a pout. He laughs a little at my stuck out lip.

"I wanna take things slow. You mean a lot to me," he admits softly, taking hold of my hand.

I grin happily before turning it into a cheeky one. "You mean a lot to me, too. How about you let me prove it." I lean over him, pushing him back onto the couch. Where this newfound confidence came from, I don't know, but he is letting me do this, that I know. I'm not nearly close to my normal strength, so he could have easily resisted my advances.

I let my eyes trail down his body slowly, raking in the details of him. I know I should be focusing on the whole kidnapping thing, but I'm a guy. Can you blame me for ignoring it when someone as hot as Michael asks me out?

I place my lips against his once again, but this time, he's more excited than I am. He eagerly runs his tongue along my lip before sliding it into my mouth. It's warm and wet as he coaxes me in the right rhythm, making my body hot. I grip his shirt and tug it off of him, feeling the curves of his muscles as his body molds against mine.

He pulls away harshly and holds me away by my face. "I'm trying to take this slow," he reminds me, making me grin.

"What? Were you tempted to take me?" I tease huskily before batting my eyelashes at him innocently.

"You're horrible," he returns, striking me with a nearby throw pillow. I laugh at him and steal a quick kiss before grabbing my coffee once again.

*TIME SKIP TO THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY*

Today, despite the way it started, was bliss.

Michael and I spent all day together, watching movies and stealing kisses from each other. I learned that he loves math and his favorite color is red. He's a huge romantic and loves music to death.  As good as it feels to know these things, I desperately want to know the more serious things about him, but I knew he'd come to tell me with time. I decide to not push him and simply be there if he wants to talk.

"Michael!" I squeal loudly as his hands clamp down on my sides, tickling me whilst I try to make us some stir fry, our late lunch.

He laughs loudly at me as I wriggle around, laughing uncontrollably. I spin around a slap his chest playfully as my cheeks burn from the forced laughter. He chuckles and bear hugs me, making my eyes roll.

I peck his lips lovingly. "It's almost ready; be patient."

He groans like a child, placing his chin on my shoulder when I turn back around. He watches me finish it up eagerly. I can practically hear his mouth water as I shut the stove off.

He grabs some plates and holds them out to me. I laugh at his eager puppy-like actions and evenly distribute the food before telling him to go sit. He obeys, and I meet him in the living room. We munch happily on our food and pull up some movie that I forget the name of.

We're wrapped in a blanket snuggling, both of us shirtless, talking about nothing special when our four friends burst through the door.

"Honey, I'm home!" Austin calls out to the house, making Blake groan.

"We're over here," Michael calls out, laughing softly.

I lean against his chest tiredly as our friends file in, one by one.

"Yo, why'd you guys skip today?" Damien asks, plopping down on a loveseat with an eyebrow quirked.

"I got sick this morning," I admit with a shrug.

"You feelin' any better?" Austin asks, voicing his concern.

I nod and smile. "Yup." He nods, appeased.

"A lot better," Michael teases, making me flush.

"Oh, hush," I slap his chest playfully once again, making him grin goofily.

"What does he mean?" Blake asks, confusion written across his face.

I blush heavily and look to Michael. He grins down at me and pecks my lips, showing them what he meant.

"Hot damn!" Damien whistles in approval. "It's about time!"

I laugh and shake my head at him and our seemingly starstruck friends.

"Blake, did ya get anything off the files?" I ask, changing the subject before they can ask about our level of intimacy. I know them well enough to suspect that they would.

He sadly shakes his head. "Stayed up all night and didn't find a thing."

"Damn," I curse. Austin nods in agreement.

"I hope something bad doesn't happen," Alex mutters nervously.

"Gah, dont say that!" Austin proclaims with a shudder, clutching himself tightly.

I laugh a little before being cut off by a loud crash. Something flies through the nearby window, rolling across the floor when it lands. Everyone tenses, and when a threatening yellowish gas begins to spill from the can, everyone panics. We throw ourselves away from it, but not fast enough, because I feel myself grow nauseous extremely quickly. I cling to Michael in terror and confusion as I fight to keep my eyes open. I cough and sputter weakly as we fall to the floor together. I look at Michael with wide eyes, only to see his face mimic mine. He's just as scared as I am.

Those wide chocolate eyes are the last thing I see before my world turns to inky blackness.

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I have no idea where this is going in all honesty lol but if you can guess who I'm planning to make the antagonist you'll get a shout out. Anyway I hope y'all nuggets enjoyed this chapter! (despite the errors I know are there :3) See y'all nuggety readers in the next update! Don't forget to comment and all that shite! Bai!!! >:3

-IggyScones