Visible Ghosts

20

Zane's arm tightens around my middle, letting me know he's awake. I let my fingers run through his unruly blonde hair. With a groan, he unwraps himself, pitching his elbow into the mattress so his cheek rests in his palm. Worry filled midnight blue orbs stare into my own green ones.

"Are you ready to talk now?" He says softly, the corner of his mouth turning down. "You didn't sleep." He states.

"No, I didn't." There's no point in hiding the truth from him. Before he can argue that I should have kept him awake, I raise a hand in a stopping motion. "No. You shouldn't have stayed awake to comfort me. You know I need time to think. You just being here last night was more than enough. I felt safe." I lower my voice. "You keep me safe."

"If I could keep the dreams away. I would." Zane says seriously, sitting up so he can pull me into his side. His warm arm coming to wrap around my shoulders. My head falls against his chest. If only he understood that he does keep the nightmares away. He's the light in the darkness.

"I love you." I whisper. Hopefully it reflects all the things I want to say to him but can never find the words for.

"I love you too, buttercup." He whispers back just as quietly but I hear the sincerity and warmth in every word. We sit in the morning sun just absorbing the comfort that we give each other. It's these moments that make me cherish Zane. All the dark places, all the bad situations, are worth it when I have Zane by my side. As the academy says, family is a choice and I'd choose Zane every single time to be my family. "As much as I hate to say this, we need start moving for class."

Lifting my head off his chest, I crane my neck so I can see his face. His normally loopy grin is turned down in a grimace. I can't help it but I let out a laugh. Zane is the last person who would want to go to school. It looks like it physically pained him to say that sentence. "Come on, Zane. I'll make breakfast." I coax him out of the haven of blankets, slipping out of bed and walking to my bathroom. "I'm going to shower and change and I expect you downstairs. Caffeinated."

As good as Zane has been this morning, I know my brother. The cranky switch can go off in an instant without his morning cup of joe. "Fine. Fine. I'm going." He rolls until he hits the edge of the bed, falling in style as he catches himself in a push-up. My eyes flick over his exposed back, noticing a few bruises that are a week into the healing process. Must be from his self defense class. The other bumps and scars tell a story that speaks of hardships and preservation. With another grunt, he pushes himself to a standing position and sends a wink my way before sauntering out of my room.

I shower quickly, letting the lukewarm water wake me up. It's going to be a long day without any sleep. I'll be lucky if I can get a nap in before going to Raven and Axel's hours tonight with Dad. Throwing on a pair of shorts and a baseball tee, I put my wet hair into a ponytail and grab a hat. Hopefully it'll hide the dark circles that are pronounced under my eyes.

Zane is already in the kitchen by the time I make it down there. He's staring off into the backyard, a hand wrapped around a steaming mug. Without taking his eyes off the window, he slides another mug my way. It's aroma brings a sense of comfort to me. I never have to go back to that basement, I never have to gaze at a red rose tattoo. That more than anything, shakes the remnants of the dream from me.

"Whathca want for breakfast, Z?" Rummaging through the fridge, I find a cream cheese spread and strawberries. When he doesn't answer, I make the decision for us. "Alright, bagels and fruit it is." Pushing a bagel and bowl of fruit towards Zane, he still doesn't look at me. Another frown marks his face and I don't like it. He's finished his coffee, we made peace with my dream, and I put food in front of him. "Zane, what's wrong?" Climbing onto the stool next to him, I direct my gaze outside as well.