𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑇𝑟𝑒𝑒

Chapter 13 ~ Warmth

Maddox

What did I do wrong? I made sure that I had enough gas to get to the next gas station, and I made sure that my battery was full.

I messed up.

I slam the car hood soaking wet and march to my side of the car. I also slam that door and put my head down on the wheel in frustration.

We could have been half way to Aunties by now if I didn't double check the gas. And there is no cell service so I can't text her and tell her that I need help. Even if I did, she wouldn't be able to come because of the heavy rain.

All of a sudden, it's quiet. All I can hear are the raindrops hitting my car and the road beneath me. My thoughts have vanished which is why it's so quiet. My breathing slows down but when I notice that there is still heavy breathing in the background, I check myself.

Once I know that I'm okay, my thoughts come back, but not to the car, or the rain.

Willow.

I whip my head to her and see she is staring straight ahead and her breathing has increased as she tightens her grip on her inhaler.

Shoot.

"Willow?" I try for my voice to come out soft and quiet. I don't get a response as I look at her not moving. It scares me for a minute because I think that she has gone into shock, but when she turns her head to me, I know she is okay, just shaken up.

"I'm sorry." I mutter. We stare at each other for a good amount of time before she turns back to the road and keeps her attention there.

The rain is growing more and more heavy which is just making our chances of seeking help tonight impossible.

"Are we going to have to sleep here tonight?" Her voice comes out as a whisper and I can barely hear her as if she is talking to herself. "I think so." I drag out. I see her nodding from the corner of my eye.

Next thing I know, she is adjusting her seat to lay all the way down and is putting her pillow in place as she wraps her blanket around her. She lays down facing the window and doesn't say anything to me.

I realize the car is still on, that's why it's warmer. I hate to have to turn it off because it just means that we are going to be cold all night.

I sigh as I turn off the car and do the same that Willow has, except I wasn't smart and I didn't bring a pillow or blanket.

🌿

I don't know what time it is, but I can't sleep because I'm uncomfortable, and the rain is too heavy for me to fall asleep to. I look over to Willow who is asleep and is facing towards me now. I look at her face and see that she is not relaxed at all.

Her eyes are more shut, her mouth is closed all the way, and her nose is scrunched up. I came to the conclusion that she is not even asleep.

I don't want to call out to her just in case I scare her with my sudden voice. But it seems as though she can hear my unsteady breathing because she opens her eyes slightly to see me.

"You're not asleep?" I shake my head. "Where is your blanket, and pillow?" She sits up. "I didn't think I needed it because I was driving the whole time."

She shakes her head and rubs her eyes. She is not her normal Willow that would be yelling at me for being so stupid. Instead, she is fragile Willow, the Willow that will take care of you before she checks herself.

That's why she gestures for me to climb over the console and jump to her side. "No, I can't."

"Why?"

"Because there is not enough space."

"We can make it work, gosh just get over here." Her stern voice comes out and she looks pissed. I really don't want her yelling at me in the morning.

"Fine." She gives up and rolls up her blanket and puts her pillow where my head is. I can't protest at the moment because Willow is at work. She pushes me to lay down and puts the blanket over me.

"Will-" She covers my mouth with her hand. She slowly pulls away and goes back to her seat and lays down facing the window again. Now, I'm the one with the pillow and blanket, not her.

I lay my head down trying to think of a different solution. Her smell that is tinted on the pillow engulfs me and relaxes me.

I thought for a little bit before I decided to man the hell up. I remove the pillow from my head and lift up Willows to place it under hers. "Wh-" I cut her off by scooting her over and getting in next to her and plopping the blanket on top of us.

I don't say anything else and turn over to go back to sleep.

"We're both stubborn huh?' I hear her voice which makes me grin. I close my eyes and sleep takes over me immediately as I'm now relaxed and not worried about how tomorrow is going to go.

She can yell at me, she can hit me, she can tell me she hates me, but she will never hear those words from me. And she will have to deal with my clingy mess.