Lovers of Yesterday

Chapter 32 • Nightmare

When we disappeared back to our rooms a couple hours later, I couldn't fall asleep. I leaned against the wall, curled up and blankly staring at the opposite wall. I was still too shaken up to even consider falling asleep. Lynch's words earlier helped some but I was still worked up.

Finally, I decided to get up and grab my suitcase. I hadn't unpacked it yet and it'd give me something to do until I was tired enough to fall asleep. I laid it out on the carpet and unzipped it to pull out the contents.

My weighted blanket came out first. I moved it next to the bed so I could arrange it later. I set my small stack of books off to the side so I could pull out my clothes and move them to the dresser. As I was moving them, I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in." I moved back to my suitcase just as Lynch opened the door and stepped in.

"I thought you'd be asleep by now."

I shook my head as I picked up my books and set them on the nightstand. "I'm still worked up so I'm hoping doing something will tire me out."

I moved back to my empty suitcase and closed it, pushing it back up against the wall. When I stood up, Lynch was in front of me. Awkwardly, I moved away from him and grabbed my blanket, setting it on the bed.

"Ryder, go change and then come and lie down."

I turned and looked up at him. "Why?"

"The only way you're gonna fall asleep is if you actually relax. I know you want to work out all that pent up energy but that's not gonna work." He crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

Hesitantly, I nodded and grabbed my sleep clothes before moving past him and out to the bathroom. I changed quickly and walked back into my room. Lynch was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down at his phone. He looked up as I dropped my dirty clothes on top of my suitcase.

"Come lie down."

I did as he said and laid down, curling up under the comforter. He grabbed the weighted blanket and stretched it out over me before sitting next to me again.

"Take slow breaths for me. Inhale for five seconds. Exhale for five seconds," he instructed.

I closed my eyes and did as he said. That all went down the drain when I cracked my eyes open and began to giggle hysterically. I heard him sigh but I couldn't stop myself.

"What's so funny?" It sounded like he was trying to be angry and failing.

That came to fruition when I looked up at him again. The corner of his lips twitched like he wanted to smile but wasn't. I went I to another fit of giggles before I could stop. My stomach hurt from how hard I was laughing and I was struggling to suck in air but there was nothing I could do.

"Lord save us all," I heard him mumble and I laughed harder.

"I can't-" I gasped but couldn't finish the thought.

He shook his head as he gave in and smiled. "You're tired, aren't you?"

I nodded to which he said, "Come on, sweetheart. You need to go to sleep."

I took deep breaths to calm down after my laughing fit. "I'm ok, Lynch. I think that wore me out. I'll fall asleep."

He gave me a look and nodded before getting up and leaving. He turned the light off for me and shut the door behind him. Now that he was gone and it was dark, I shut my eyes and sleep overcame me easily.

• • •

I don't know why I was running; I just knew I was running. That, and I was scared. Everything was black but I just kept running. It felt like something was behind me but I couldn't turn around to see what it was. It began shouting my name and I ran faster but it caught me. It grabbed my arm and I spun around, lashing out at it.

"Ryder!" It yelled my name again and my eyes flew open.

Lynch was braced on his arm above me. His cheek was turning red and I realized I slapped him. Upon further inspection, I noticed his hair was mussed like he had been sleeping hard and he didn't have a shirt on. I gingerly reached up and brushed my fingers over his cheek.

"I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" He stopped me with a shake of his head.

"No, don't say sorry. You were having a nightmare. You were in a different reality when you hit me. Don't blame yourself." His voice was also rough with sleep. "Do you remember what happened?"

I looked away and tried to bring back the nightmare. "All I remember is that I was scared and I was running."

He nodded and stood up, moving toward the door. My heart jumped when I thought he was going to leave but calmed down when he only turned the light off. Why was I apprehensive about him leaving? It has to just be the nightmare. I'm scared to be left alone after it. Yup, that's it. It has to be.

He pulled the blankets back and laid down next to me. Once he settled, I felt his arm band around my waist and pulled against his side. I froze in surprise but relaxed a second later. If I just act like everything's ok, everything will be ok.

I don't know when I drifted back to sleep but it remained uneventful. I had no more nightmares nor did I have any dreams.

• • •

I was woken up to my phone buzzing with my alarm on the nightstand. Groggily, I reached over Lynch and grabbed it, swiping the x to turn the alarm off. I blinked and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes before I realized I was leaning over Lynch. I yelped in surprise the same time my hand slipped and I collapsed on his chest. He made an 'oomph' sound when I landed on him.

"Well hi," he said on a laugh.

"Hi, sorry. I kinda forgot you were here," I replied sheepishly.

His arm landed on my back. "I can see that. What time is it?"

I moved off of his chest and sat up, stretching, "Time to get ready for work. It's seven."

He nodded and sat up, stretching as well. While he stood up and walked out of the room, I began freaking out. How the hell did I forget he was here? It's kind of hard to miss him. Groaning, I raked my fingers over my hair and climbed out of bed to get ready.

I walked out and over to the bathroom only to realize I never washed my uniform. Well fuck. I leaned against the wall while I stared at the ball of clothes in the sink. Sighing, I pushed myself up and walked out to grab my phone out of the guest room. I found Bridget's name in my contacts and clicked the call button. It rang three times before she picked up.

"Hi, Ryder. What's up?" Her usual happy tone reached my ear.

"Hey, I was wondering if it's ok if I show up not in uniform. I spilled my drink on mine and forgot to wash it last night. I'll get it washed today, I just need one of the spare ones in the supply closet."

"That's fine. Oh, and I wanted to talk to you about your work hours." I stiffened and waited to hear what she had to say. "You've been leaving earlier a few days and I just wanted to know what's up. I want to make sure your schedule works fine."

I held back a sigh. "Yes, ma'am, it does. I've just been having some personal issues and I've been leaving early for them. I'm sorry, I'll make sure it won't happen again."

"Alright, sweetie. Well, I'll see you in a little bit."

"Yes ma'am. Bye." I pulled the phone away from my ear and hung up.

Then I set about changing into jeans and a t-shirt to get ready to head to work.