Elements

40. settling in

The movie finishes and I stand from the couch with Jesse

"Goodnight" Cliff says resting his hand on the small of my back while standing up before leaving out around the couch

I can tell Malek saw as he jaw clenches, staring back at Cliff

"Maleks pissed" Jesse whispers clearly seeing what happened too. Cliff isn't intimidated by Malek at all and clearly has no problem stepping on his toes.

I move out around the couch with Jesse around the opposite side from Malek. I hear Holly talking to him and wishing him a good night and I roll my eyes. If she is like a sister why won't he tell me about how he knows her. They probably dated.

I start walking back with Jesse down the hall when I feel Malek behind me.

"Goodnight" Jesse says as she keeps walking

I reach for our door pushing it open before walking across the dark room towards the bed

I hear Malek close the door firmly behind me and the hairs on my skin lift.

I immediately crawl onto the bed and look back at him as he runs his hand through his hair, moving towards the bed.

I watch as he moves to the end of the bed slowly before leaning against the end with his fists, looking down at the blankets.

"My father.." he starts and my heart stops realizing he's actually telling me something and letting me in.

"My father, he.." he starts but can't get the words out

I immediately start crawling down the bed towards him but he presses off the bed backing away from me?

I watch as he walks backwards into the table along the wall still not looking at me before leaning up against it.

"She's would've been my step sister" he says after a moment

"Would've?" I say confused

"It never worked out.." he says trailing off

"I hate my father Ivy" Malek says finally looking up to me.

"Okay" I say softly nodding

"She was the only person I could get along with when I stayed with my him" he says. "She's like a sister Ivy"

"Okay" I say understanding while feeling guilty.

After a long moment of silence he presses off the table and walks across the room towards me.

"I haven't lived a good life" he says standing beside the bed infront of me. What does that mean?

I don't say anything but nod as he looks down at me.

"I don't want you to be scared of me" Malek says and I don't understand, why would I be scared of him?

"I'm not" I say confused But he doesn't say anything back.

A moment passes and of silence when he breaks away and moves around his side of the bed. I watch as he starts unbuttoning his pants before getting into the bed.

I guess that's that then.

I crawl down from the bed and pull open so drawers until I find some extra shirts and clothes, not a lot but some.

I slide out of my dress and turn as I catch Malek watching me. He doesn't look away after either he continues watching me as I slide an old t shirt over my breast and slide into new underwear