Will he

chapter 15 - young lovers and they are not sleeping

note: this chapter contains both pov's so don't get confused midway, I will mark when each start, enjoy :)

Pov: Eliza 

We had spent the rest of the day just cuddling in bed and rewatching a few episodes of Euphoria together, we both agreed that miss Z bagged another Emmy with season 2. Her acting is sensational, god she is glorious. 

Rowan, Maia, and the boys came to check up on us in the evening, they were overjoyed that Carter and I were finally together. He hasn't formally asked me to be his girlfriend yet but our kisses and intimate moments said otherwise. 

Elliot was out the whole day on a date and isn't at home tonight, figures. 

It is currently 1:45 am and my body keeps twisting and turning in my empty bed, my duvet was tangled between my legs as I tried to fall asleep. No use, because I couldn't. Carter, that's who I couldn't stop thinking about. 

As much as I tried to sleep, my thoughts revolved around Carter as nervousness took over me making me question if he is even sleeping or having another nightmare. 

I wince as I try to cover my head with a pillow in an attempt to silence the voices in my head, but that's when I hear synchronized dribbling noises.

I get up from my bed and walk toward my curtain, my eyes squint from the lack of light present in my room.

My curtain opens a little, and I see Carter down at the basketball court in my backyard, why was he playing at 2 am? I went with my gut, I had a feeling I knew why he didn't want to sleep. 

After my parents left, I never used to sleep because I would get nightmares about my other loved ones leaving me. I got sick of the nightmares and ended up never getting enough sleep because I would listen to music or work out as a distraction. He was probably doing the same right now. 

This isn't going to help him, I knew I had to stop him. Maybe be his distraction? 

Once I made my way downstairs, the thundering of the dribbling got louder. 

"Carter?" I called out, wrapping my arms around my chest, as it was freezing and I was just in my pajamas. 

His eyes were focused on the basket as he whispered, "Why are you awake? Go to sleep, Eliza." Carter don't block me out, we had one good day together, don't push me away again.

"I could say the same to you, just tell me what's the problem." I plead. He doesn't take a step forward and neither do I. 

The second our eyes locked, I saw the fear in his eyes. Was he afraid of how our relationship was going to go? Was he afraid of the nightmares? Was he afraid to be in love? 

I was overthinking this whole thing. 

His hands dropped to his sides and the basketball fell to the ground, he swiftly turned and made his way to me. His eyes didn't dare to leave mine as he came close, "I can't- I don't want to sleep. I don't think I can handle another nightmare, so I'm here. Please go sleep, Ellie." He says and gently strokes my arm.

I don't know what came over me but I couldn't leave him alone like that, not at a time like this. His touch sent a shiver through me, fuck, I craved him. I wanted his hands all over me, I wanted him to make me his and keep me up all night. I needed him. 

I step forward, I look up at him through my lashes in a way that I knew drove him mad, by just by one look it felt like he ripped apart the last shreds of my insanity. 

I slip my hands through the thin material of his t-shirt, as expected his muscles tense up under the soft graze of my fingertips. I fingered his abs, not leaving a single spot untouched, I watched as his breathing quickens.