Beautiful Boy

ucla

amara haven

I jolted awake, breathing heavy.

"Are you alright?" Nic asked, he was sitting against the headboard.

"Just- another bad dream," I sighed.

He nodded slowly.

"What time is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Like five," he replied.

I groaned and he chuckled.

"We can get another few hours of sleep," he said.

"You can," I muttered in annoyance.

"Is there anything that might help you sleep?" He asked.

I sighed, "I don't know."

"Wanna talk about it?" He sat up further, leaning forward.

I shrugged.

"Come on, Mara, you've gotta work with me here," he said.

"I just keep having dreams about my Dad, and the thing with-" I hesitated, "With Rick."

"You have trauma, Am," he brought a hand to my shoulder.

"I know," I muttered.

"You should come to an AA meeting sometime," he urged.

I nodded.

Without saying anything, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled us down.

My heart raced and I prayed he wouldn't notice.

I felt myself drift off quite easily, having his arms around me calmed my anxieties.

~

The morning approached fast, my eyes fluttered open and I sat up, rubbing my eyes.

Nic walked into the room, wearing jeans and a shirt with a flannel.

"Morning, sleepy head," he grinned.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Close to ten," he replied.

I rolled my eyes, getting up, "And you didn't think to wake me up earlier?"

"You looked comfy, I didn't want to disturb you," he shrugged, "Anyways, everything is done, just get dressed and we can leave."

"It's kinda bizarre, isn't it?" I asked.

He nodded, "Insane. I'll meet you downstairs."

I nodded and he left, shutting the door.

I changed into joggers and a crewneck then slipped on my Converse and walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair.

I dropped the last few things I'd need into my bag and walked down the stairs, rubbing my eyes to clear my vision.

Kinsley noticed me enter the lounge and got up to wrap her arms around me.

"Call me, okay?" I whispered.

She nodded, "I will."

When I pulled away and leaned down, Valeria took her place.

After several hugs, goodbyes, and painfully long seconds, Nic and I opened the car doors and climbed in.

"Good?" He asked, starting the engine.

I nodded.

He pulled off of the driveway and everything became real.

~