Love and War

12: Anastasia

Anastasia's POV:
"Ahh!" She shrieked before he covered her mouth with his hand and shushed her.

"Fuck Elise."

I covered my ears and turned away.

How much longer?

They've been going at it for a while now. I'm trying to sleep next door but the walls are paper thin here. Then a groan came and their bed started slamming against the wall continuously. It wasn't too loud but I could still hear.

Ugh, that's it!

I stood and put on my slippers. I slipped out and left. I contemplated going to my grandmother's but she has no space in her home and even though she sleeps alone she has back problems, so it's not good for her to sleep with others.

I found myself at Jonah and Landon's front door.

I knocked on the door and nothing.

I knocked a little louder and the door swung open. A furious-looking Jonah stood there. He was shirtless and just wore pants. His black hair was messy and his eyes were sleepy. I looked him up and down, he was ripped. He had toned abs and biceps and I found myself getting hot all over.

Ugh. Not now and definitely not him.

I forced myself to meet his eyes and I smiled. "Hey. Room for one more?"

"No." He said closing the door but I stopped it with my hand. He ran a hand down his face and stepped back letting me inside. He groaned annoyed. "But weren't you staying with Elise? Go over there and let me sleep."

I rolled my eyes. "Look I was there but something happened and now I have to sleep here."

He walked to his bedroom door but froze when he saw I was following. He turned and towered over me with an angry expression. "Just sleep on the sofa! Nobody said you're joining me!"

I laughed. "Ha! You think I'm joining you... hell no! I'm just sleeping there. I'll freeze on the couch!"

He sighed. "God you're lucky I'm too tired to fight right now." He turned and I walked inside behind him.

He's the lucky one.

I suddenly felt really anxious. I was very aware of everything he did and where he was at all times.

He laid down and so did I. I pulled the covers up to my chin and sighed. The bed was small though so our backs slightly touched before we both pulled away. "Stay on your side and we'll be fine." He said.

"Please I don't even want to be within 5 inches of you, alright? This is because I didn't have anything else."

"It sure doesn't seem like it." He mumbled.

I turned around and swatted his back. He turned around, grabbed my wrist in a tight grip but not tight enough to hurt me, and glared at me. "If you came to sleep then do that." He said closing his eyes. I did too and soon sleep consumed me whole.

***
I woke up and stretched but felt constricted. I look down and saw a muscular arm around my waist. I follow the arm and see Jonah sleeping behind me. His head on the pillow right behind mine and my back to his chest.

I looked forward since there wasn't much to do with the hold he had on me and I saw a small paper on his nightstand. I grabbed it and opened it.

Wow.

Never have I seen such art. It's beautiful and lively. He drew... me. I looked different somehow.

It all looked sadder than it really was. The party was through the eyes of an outsider, through Jonah's eyes. Well assuming he drew this. I doubt he's this talented.

Somehow I felt that the person looking at the festival felt excluded but not by the people by himself. Like he felt strange being there but that he wished he belonged. He wished to belong to these people...

I glanced at Jonah and felt a pang of sadness and pity for him because I too wish I belonged somewhere. Due to the circumstances I might never belong anywhere.

I turned to face him and his arm tightened around me. I stifled my laughter as to not wake him and poked his cheek. "Wake up." I said.

He just furrowed his brows and I rolled my eyes. I lifted his hand off me and shook him but he just turned away from me.

I did what I had to.

With all my force I grabbed his back and pushed. He rolled and rolled... and with a loud thunk and a groan he fell onto the hard floor.

His head lifted up seconds after, his hair a black mess and his blue eyes burning holes through my head.

I smiled and said with unusual cheer. "Morning!" I tucked the drawing into my nightgown's pocket.

He groaned and stood. He walked around the bed and grabbed my arm. I hurriedly put on my slippers and tried to catch up with his long strides as he kicked me out. He shoved me out and slammed the door.

I lock eyes with Landon who just looked at me confused. "Hey?"

"Hi I crashed here last night... and as for Jonah absolutely nothing happened."

Landon smirked as he brought the cup to his lips. "I don't remember if I asked Anastasia." He said.

I wanted to slap myself. He will probably think that something happened now.

"Right. Anyways I'm going back to Elise's. I'll see you later Landon." He waved at me and I left embarrassed and still tired.

And as for Jonah perhaps now I'm starting to understand him a little more.

Only a little.

***