Left Behind (Completed) *editing*

Chapter Thirteen

A piercing scream woke me and I realized two things. One: I was the one who scream. Two? Shit, it was just a dream. I glanced over at the letter on the nightstand and the alarm clock. 4:22AM. Way too early to be awake but that dream was so realistic that I was completely awake now. I paced up the stairs and then charged up another flight and down the hall until I made it to Colin's room. I slowly opened the door and smiled faintly at the sight of him peacefully sleeping. He squinted, lifting his head with a groan.

"Val?" He said, his voice almost a whine.

"Yeah, it's just me. Sorry I woke you," I whispered, tiptoeing in and shutting the door.

"It's okay. I couldn't sleep," he admitted. He sat up and I climbed into bed with him.

"I had a nightmare that you had died. It felt so real," I told him. He laid far away from me on the bed and I shot him a glare.

"How'd I die?" He asked me.

"I don't know. I freaked out and woke up," I said, inching closer to him.

"What are you doing?" He whispered.

"Coming to sleep with you?" I stared at him, dumbfounded.

Why was he being so weird? We slept in bed together many times. He'd been sneaking into the basement a lot when he'd hear me yelling in my sleep or I'd come upstairs if I woke up in fear. His mom was a ridiculously sound sleeper. I think a car could crash into the house and she'd still be snoozing. I had regular nightmares about Liam but this was the first about Colin. He gave me comfort and I slept much better with him at my side.

"You can't stay here, Val," he said.

"Why not?" I demanded.

"Did you read the letter I wrote you?" He asked with a loud sigh.

"No," I admitted. I laughed anxiously and shifted onto my side to fully face him. "I was too tired. Why did you write me a letter?" His hand pursued mine and our fingers laced together. I smiled warmly at him. He clutched my hand tightly for a moment before his grasp on me lightened up.

"Are you pregnant?" He whispered.

I could see his lower lip quiver even in the dark room. He looked so terrified and pitiful. If the situation wasn't so serious, the expression on his face would be sort of adorable. His thumb caressed my hand as I begun to nod in silence. His brown eyes widened as I confirmed it.

"Why'd you lie?" He asked me.

"You were going out. I didn't want to ruin your fun tonight," I admitted.

"My night was already ruined from worrying about you. Is it mine?" He further questioned.

"Yours or Riley's," I admitted, closing my eyes. "I'm tired, Colin."

"I know you are, Val... One last question and I swear I'll stop pestering you. What do you want to do about it?"

His hand unlatched from mine and he slipped one arm under me, the other around me and drew me close to him. He tightened his arms around me. I shifted marginally to get more comfortable before snuggling my face against his warm chest. He kissed my forehead and I felt him shudder. A huge weight had been taken off of my chest after being honest with him but now another one was added. I wasn't sure how he felt.

"I don't know. I still need time, Colin," I informed him. His lips grazed my forehead sweetly again.

"Okay, Val," he breathed. "Go back to sleep." I drifted off to sleep but I knew he didn't.

Every once in a while I would stir and begin to wake. He'd shush me and tell me it was okay. He would kiss my cheek each time and continue to embrace me. I would relax and doze back off under his care. This continued into the morning. I had startled, my muscles begun to spasm as my eyes popped wide open. It was early enough to wake up but Colin still reassured me.