Oblivion {James Rodriguez} {Book ONE}

i saw it

"Mia hurry up the movie's starting in, like, ten seconds!" I hear Lola holler from the living room. Lucky for me, the microwave beeped, indicating that the popcorn's ready. I carefully pull it out and empty the bag's contents into a bowl.

"Coming!" I respond as I carry the bowl and power-walk to the living room. I place the bowl on the coffee table next to the drinks and plop down on the couch just as the first scene starts playing.

"Now be quiet. Forever." She mumbles, eyes glued to the screen like a seven-year-old. I chuckle to myself and reach over, ignoring all the tempting bottles of coke and grabbing a juice box instead. As much as I enjoy a nice, cold glass of soda once in a while, I also value juice just as much.

The movie that we are watching is apparently called Killers and was dictated to me by Lola. Her massive crush on Ashton Kutcher really didn't help my weak situation either. She just stormed in, with the DVD in her hands and a very serious face on. There was really no room for discussion.

Twenty-five minutes into the movie and this is the sixth time I get slapped for sneakily dozing off. I would start off pretending to watch the movie, before my eyelids would slowly get heavier and heavier, until they finally shut down completely. I feel my entire body relax at the liberation for a few seconds, before a rude hand taps my cheek, forcing me out of my much-needed solace.

Somehow, I manage to make it through the entire movie with not too many scars. The credits roll up the screen as Lola takes a giant gulp from her soda.

"So, how was it?" She asks excitingly, eyes gleaming.

I pull myself up with the help of my elbows.

"Huh? The movie? It was good, yeah, it was-" I cut myself off by yawning obnoxiously.

Her glowing face turns into a frown. "You suck." She remarks.

"So did the movie." I stick my tongue out at her. She gasps and smacks my arm.

"You did not just... Mia!" She protests. I roll my eyes at her sensitivity.

"Relax," I tell her, getting up from the couch and trudging to my room.

"Whatever. I don't like you. I'm going to go." She announces, walking out of my room to collect her stuff. I smile slightly to myself as I land headfirst into my welcoming bed.

"Don't forget, you owe me a lifetime supply of coffee for that God-awful hour and fifteen minutes!" I call out.

"Yeah, I wouldn't be too sure about that if I were you!" I hear her laugh before the familiar click of the door.

***

I can literally feel the sun rays excessively penetrating my eyelids. I groan, with my eyes still closed and no intention of waking up so early.

My body is comfortingly warm, unlike my chilly surroundings. The duvet creates a nest of cosines. I sigh happily, remembering the fact that it is a Sunday morning and I have nothing to lose. Still, it is an inappropriately sunny day for my mood.

"So much for sleeping in," I mutter grumpily as I summon all my little willpower left to fling the covers off my body and expose myself to the avoided environment.

I let my morning dizziness wear off slowly, before heading to the bathroom to shower and preform normal duties.

At times like these, with the early morning sun rays shining through the windows and the occasional chirping of the birds, I wish I lived with someone.

I wish I could wake up to them every morning, peacefully asleep by my side with their arms securely fastened around me.

I wish I could wake up first and turn over, just to simply watch how angelic and innocent they look when they're soundly asleep.

But I also wish they could wake up before me, too. Maybe, if they're feeling extra generous, they can make me a simple breakfast to show me that they still cared. And it won't even matter if the food wasn't good. They care.

Carter Adams did all of the things I just mentioned. I would sleepily flutter my eyelids in the morning and try to escape from his grasp, but he realizes it and pulls me even closer. I gave in.

At times, when the stress of the day ahead gets the best of me and I can't even sleep a wink even if my life depended on it, I would lay there. I would lay there, facing him, and watch his chest rise and fall to the rhythm of his soft breathing. His features gentle, his consciousness clear.

Those were the times that it hit me: He was just a boy. Deep down inside, he was terrified of the world around him. Terrified of what he does. Terrified of what it does to me. He was a scared, helpless little person inside. What killed me the most is that he denied his true nature too hard to let it peep out. But I saw it.

I saw it in his eyes every time he came home from work. I would give him a sympathetic look and he would just nod and sigh, avoiding my eyes.

I saw it every time we kissed, or hugged. Right before I lean in, his face completely changes. From the tough, masculine, responsible man, he becomes a young, vulnerable, confused boy, holding on to the feeling of love so tight; afraid of the free fall.

I saw it every time. And he didn't know I did.

___________________________

A/N: Drop a vote on this chapter for Carter's POV :)