𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐭𝐡 - 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓

Jared Keller:

Hiraeth wanted to meet with me tonight in the great hall to study for our potions test coming up.

I walk into the great hall, spotting her sitting at a long table all alone. Quill in her hand, textbook open, papers filled with writing, her head resting atop all of them. She always overworks herself. She's been like that since I met her. I smile, because she looks adorable when she's asleep.

I stand at the doors for a couple minutes, watching her to see if she'll wake up. I don't want to wake her up myself, I'd feel awful. I'd much rather her wake up on her own.

But she doesn't. She stays in the position she's in. The only thing that's moving is the quill she's holding, as it slowly falls closer and closer flat against the table.

When I accept the fact that she's not waking up, I decide to approach her. She's definitely deep asleep. Oh Hiraeth, please get some rest.

I gather her papers and shut them inside a page of her textbook. I carefully grab the quill from her hand, and she doesn't even move.

"I'll be right back." I whisper, just in case she's listening.

I bring her things up to her dorm, setting them down on her desk. I admire the rest of her notes already sitting there. I also notice a stack of little papers. I recognize those. They're from me. Those are notes I write her, and I had no idea she kept them until now. I don't know how I didn't notice them on her desk, I'm in here almost every day. I decide to read a couple.

I helped myself to another book. I would say I hope you don't mind, but i've done it so much that I think it's past the point where I can.

Do you know the answer to number seven, smarty pants?

I flip the paper over.

It's B, idiot.

I laugh, before realizing I told her i'd be right back. Here I am taking my sweet time. Maybe I really am an idiot.

I hurry back to her, going as fast as I can. When I return, she's still sound asleep, in the same positon from when I left her.

I gently get my hands beneath her, and bring her up into my arms. I let her head rest against my shoulder.

Still asleep. Wow, I'm great at this.

I carry her through the hallways as I walk and cherish how beautiful she looks. She has always been so pretty. An angel fallen from heaven, sent to the world to bless everyone that got to look at her.

I could carry her all day if it meant I could look at her like this. I do this for her because I love her, she's my best friend. I know that if she saw me sleeping like that, and was able to to carry me, she would.

I know what's best for her. What she needs is some sleep, because she's way too hard on herself all the time.

When we arrive at her dorm, I lay her down in her bed, pulling the covers over her. I grab a blank sheet of paper from her desk, and tear off the corner. I grab a quill and get to writing.

I leave her a little note that she'll notice in the morning. I grab a new book from her shelf to read.

I turn out the light, letting darkness fill the room.

"Goodnight Raebie. Don't worry, I think you'll do great on that test."

I head out, making sure the door is locked behind me. On my way back to my dorm, I feel myself get lonely. That sounds absolutely pathetic, but on a serious note, she completes me. I don't need an immense amount of friends when I have her. Her alone is enough to satisfy me.

If she is planning on going for Preston, he better treat her right, because she deserves everything from a bouquet of flowers to the stars in the sky.

There's also another factor that brings her close to my heart. I struggle with anxiety. I find myself getting so nervous about things that shouldn't even make a person worry. But when I get anxious, she's there for me, just like I'm there for her.

I haven't had a panic attack in a long time. It might sound far fetched, but I think it might be because of her.

I need to meet her parents, just so I can thank them for bringing her into this world. They gave me someone who can save me from my own mind.