Celebrity Crush

Chapter 23

Aven's POV:

I hear a soft knock at my bedroom door, rolling over to see 12:32am on the clock. I get up from my bed wondering what could be happening at this time of night, hoping whoever it is doesn't mind that I'm in my boxers.

I open the door to see Ezekiel fidgeting with his hands and eyes on the floor. I hate when he does that, I want to see his face.

I put my finger under his chin, so he looks at me, his eyes still avoiding my own.

"Sorry to wake you, but I just couldn't sleep," he says quietly.

"Z," I say, my whole face softening, "come here," I wrap my arms around him in a tight hug before picking him up. His soft giggles bringing a smile to my face.

I drop him onto the bed and climb in next to him, opening up my arms. He makes his way over and cuddles into me, finding comfort in the familiar warmth.

I pull him closer and give his head a soft kiss, "goodnight Z."

"Goodnight V," he says with a gentle kiss. I'm grateful for the dark room so he can't see the blush he caused with the smallest action.

Both of us drift off into sleep, enjoying each other's company again. I'm glad he missed sleeping in the same bed as much as I did.

I wake up to find Ezekiel still in my arms, his fingers softly brushing through my hair. Occasionally making small circles on the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"So soft," he whispers. I chuckle lightly which seems to startle him.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were awake," he mutters.

"It's alright Z, you don't have to stop, but just know you are the only person allowed to see my hair without being styled."

"Well I feel very privileged, I like it like this," he smiles. "I like it a lot," he adds, barely above a whisper.

"I'm glad you do I grew it myself."

We both laugh at my terrible joke but then I shush both of us, noticing it's only 7am.

"I liked spending the night with you again," I admit.

"I missed you," he whispers, "you're comfy."

We both laugh quietly, "you're not bad yourself."

"I should probably head back to my room you know what Bailey's like."

Bailey seems to think Ezekiel and I act like a couple and she won't let anyone convince her otherwise.

"yeah I suppose, but I don't mind you staying again if you want."

"I might," he smiles, getting out of bed, leaving a soft kiss on my forehead, both of us shutting our eyes for a moment and I miss the feeling as soon as it's gone.

With a small wave he leaves the room, leaving me alone with more confusing thoughts about why he affects me like he does.

Before I know it it's 9am and I'm rolling out of bed and throwing on some comfortable pants to make everyone breakfast.

They all start slowly joining me in the kitchen, sitting up at the counter to make conversation while I finish the pancakes, Ezekiel being the last one to walk in just as I finish the last one.

"Good morning sleeping beauty," Bailey jokes, "where did you sleep last night?"

"What do you mean?" He asks, his voice still sleepy.

"Well, my lovely darling, you were in the bed when I woke up this morning, but you got up at like midnight and didn't return until like 7 this morning," Bailey asks, her tone accusing.

"Well, my darling," he mocks her tone, "I couldn't sleep so I went and looked at the stars until I could get some sleep."

Slightly impressed by his lie but also concerned that he has trouble sleeping, I turn back to the stove to hide my facial expressions. Bailey is very perceptive and I don't want her to know that I know something.

I turn back around and smile at him when I'm sure no one else is looking.

"You could've cuddled with me, I know you have trouble sleeping, did you manage to sleep alright?" Bailey's voice  switches to a gentle tone almost instantly.

He looks down, acting shy or something, but I can see the light pink dusting across his cheeks, "yeah I slept really well actually."

Bailey pulls him into a tight hug and he puts his head on her shoulder, smiling up at me.

"Well, what do we have here?" He asks, changing subject and walking over to me.

"I made pancakes," I smile.

He gets closer to look at all of them, and I'm glad I can read him so easily, he has no interest in the pancakes.

But it's just like when we're back at work, we hate being too far away from each other for too long.

"Alright everyone, take your seats, I'll bring them over to you."

Ezekiel stays in the kitchen to help me get all of the toppings sorted, chopping up the strawberries while I get the maple syrup, cream and Nutella out.

I chuckle when I walk over to him and his tongue sticks out slightly in concentration. I stand behind him and place my hands over his to help him.

"You'll chop your fingers off if you keep doing it like that."

"I was fine."

"Well I'd prefer it if you keep all of your fingers."

I hold his hands in the correct position and I can feel the stares of everyone else but I block it out. It feels right when I'm close to him but I don't need to be questioned about it constantly.

"Thank you for looking after me last night, it really helped," he whispers.

"I'm glad I could help, it was probably the best sleep I've had since we left London," I admit.

"Really?"

"Why do you sound so shocked?"

"Well, because I feel the same," he says, the last part barely audible.

I can feel the heat that's spreading on his face without needing to see it.

"It's taking you two an awful long time to cut up some strawberries," Leanne yells from the table.

"Shut up," I say back, moving away from Ezekiel to take the topping to the table.

"Enjoy," I say, as Ezekiel and I sit down.

The table is quiet except for a few hums of enjoyment here and there.

"Thank you for making breakfast V" Ezekiel smiles.

A few "thank you"'s from everyone else follows and I sit with a smile on my face, "no problem."

A/N ummmm we have 1.5k reads??!! how and when did that happen? 

thank you so much for reading and voting! i hope you are enjoying it so far! <33