meet me at midnight.

14.

My eyes opened slowly and I smiled when I felt someone rubbing my hair. I leaned back into the touch, eyes flicking down to realize I was still naked. I yelped and grabbed the comforter, bringing it up. I tilted my head back and looked at Josh.

"It might be a bit late for that, little mouse." He murmured.

"S-sorry, not used to w-waking up like..." I said, softly.

"Naked," Josh said. "Anyone would think we fucked."

"S-stop it." I giggled, reaching behind me to attempt to tickle him.

He grabbed my wrist, laughing. I turned myself over to face him, smiling. He looked so handsome and I wanted to say something, but my tongue felt like it had swelled. It took me a moment to realize I was initiating eye contact with him, staring into those fathomless blue eyes.

"We have prolonged eye contact," Josh smirked. "And all it took was me fuckin' you senseless."

"Q-quit it," I said, laughing again. I never wanted to stop looking at him. "C-closer."

He shifted closer, eyes still staring deeply into mine. I would never get enough of him being this close to me. It confirmed everything I saw when I first saw him. Eyes, that strange mix of blue and silver, but not cold enough to be gray. Soft, black hair and his lips still had that cute cupid's bow. My eyes caught on his lower lip, fuller and softer. He was a beautiful man, almost angelic in appearance.

"This is the longest you've eyefucked me," He smiled. "Progress, I guess."

"N-no, s-shut up," I said, voice catching. "Y-you're just really handsome. Sometimes I watch you sleep and can't believe you'd want to be with me."

"Of course I want to be with you, little mouse," He murmured. "Life would be shit without you."

I lifted my hand and touched his cheek. The skin was soft and my fingers skimmed upwards, tracing under his eye. I wanted to draw him again, but I didn't know if I could do justice to how stunning he was. His hand touched mine, cradling my hand and pressing a kiss to the inside of my wrist.

"Zara showed me pictures of you in high school." I said.

"Yeah, she likes embarrassing me." He said.

"What were you like in high school?" I asked, and he smiled, tracing his hand through my hair.

"A pretentious, little shit that thought I was smarter than everyone else." He said.

"No, I bet you were nice." I said.

"Think you're mixing us up, little mouse," Josh said. "You were probably nice in high school. Let me guess, debate team, class valedictorian, voted most likely not to fuck up."

"N-not debate team," I said, giggling. "Math club, not outgoing enough to be valedictorian, and invisible."

"Invisible, someone as pretty as you." He said, gently.

"Y-yeah, especially when dad got sick," I replied. "No one knew how to talk to me so they didn't, just left me alone."

High school was a lonely time for me. Saoirse had ignored me towards the end. What did you say to the girl whose dad was dying? The teachers looked on pityingly and my classmates ignored me. I looked at Josh. His gaze was gentle, loving and I felt my lower lip tremble. How long had it been since I had spoken about dad?

"I'm so sorry, Daisy." Josh said, and I swallowed my tears, pushing the emotion down.

"H-he got so sick and he was gone so quickly," I replied. "Mom was a wreck. I-i had to be strong for her, had to look after her."