delicate ~ L.W

Chapter 6: The Very First Night

I was driving carefully, going a few miles per hour under the speed limit, trying to minimise the movement in my car. Every now and then, I glance over at Leah. She's fast asleep in the passenger seat of my car, her head resting against the window.

I only just hear the satnav, having set the volume lower than I usually would as to not disturb her, announcing that I've reached Leah's house. I pull up on the curb trying to be careful but the car still jostles slightly. I turn the ignition off and look over at Leah, placing my hand on her shoulder and gently shaking her, "Leah," I speak softly, a contrast to my usually deep voice, but she still doesn't wake up so I shake her shoulder again, "Leah," I speak louder this time but she still doesn't wake up, she doesn't even flinch.

I decide it's best to get out of my car and go over to the passenger side. I carefully open the car door, knowing her head is resting against it. I carefully lean over her, undoing her seatbelt and picking her up once again with an arm under her legs and back. I carry her effortlessly, it seems my days at the gym have been paying off recently.

As I begin to approach her front door I realise I don't have a key to her house but luckily she moves slightly, she must be at least a little awake right? She rests her head against my chest and slowly and slightly opens her eyes, "Ellie?" She questions, "what's going on? I thought we were at Beth's?" She asks quietly with a slight rasp given that she's just woken up slightly and is still half asleep.

I whisper back softly to her, "you fell asleep blue eyes," my heart beats slightly faster as I realise I've just given her a nickname but she just smiles softly in response, leaning into my hold more, "where's your house key?" I ask, speaking quietly.

"In my jacket pocket," she whispers softly.

I'm about to check her pocket but I realise she's wearing a shirt, she doesn't have a jacket. I whisper back to her "your jacket isn't here blue eyes, do you have a spare key?"

There it goes again, that silly nickname slips out once again and I internally curse myself for it.

She whispers back, starting to fall asleep again "no my mum has it."

I think for a few moments before coming to the conclusion that I'll have to take her back to my B&B room.

"Are you okay if I take you to my B&B Leah? I can't get into your house" I question quietly with a soft laugh.

She shakes her head against my chest, so I guess that means she doesn't mind. Right? Well, it's not like I have a choice. I carefully carry her back over to my car, placing her in the passenger seat and doing up her seat belt and closing her door. I walk around to the driver's side and place my hand on the handle to open my car door but I hesitate for a moment, sighing softly. I know I'm gonna regret this in the morning but it's not like there's another option right?

I shake my head and get into the car, looking over at Leah sleeping soundly once again and a soft smile envelopes my face, my dimples making a special appearance. I realise I'm smiling and I quickly turn it upside down, adapting my emotionless mask once again. I put the key in the ignition, twisting it, and starting the car.

The drive between Leah's house and my B&B is fairly short and quiet, given the early hours of the morning. I quietly pull into the car park of my B&B, putting the key for the B&B and my room in my pocket. I turn off the engine and get out of the car, walking over to the passenger side once again. I carefully pick Leah up once again and carry her towards the door of the B&B, having to adjust her in my arms slightly and hold her with one arm as the other acts as a slight support as I unlock the door to the B&B.

I enter quietly, the creaking behind me softly and I look at the door and walk towards the old wooden staircase. I feel Leah nestle her head into my chest once again and a slight blush creeps onto my cheeks. I begin to climb the stairs, carrying Leah up effortlessly and unlocking my B&B room and stepping inside.

As I step inside the small room I realise that I forgot one thing, there is only one single bed in the room. I notice a chair in the corner of the room, which is considerably smaller than me, half my height to be exact, but I'm sure I can make it work. I sigh softly and place her down on my bed gently. I quickly remove her shoes and pull the duvet over her before moving away to my wardrobe and grabbing a pair of shorts and an oversized t-shirt from it, suddenly feeling glad I thought to pack old clothes to wear to bed.

I quietly begin to make my way towards the bathroom in my room but then I hear a soft mumble coming from my bed "Ellie?"

I walk over to my bed and crouch down to speak to her, "yes blue eyes?" I ask softly.

She looks up at me, her eyes shining even in the dark "where are going?"

I smile softly down at her and hesitantly reach a hand out, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, "I'm just getting changed, do you want to borrow anything before you fall asleep again?"

"Please" she mumbles back softly and I blindly grab a football shirt and jogging bottoms from my wardrobe. I walk over to the bed and pass them to her.

"There you go, Le. I'm gonna get changed as well, okay? Call me when I can come back in" I smile at her softly before turning around and walking into the bathroom.

I quickly change into the shorts and shirt I set aside for myself and knock on the inside of the bathroom door softly, calling out "Leah? Am I okay to come out?"

"Yeah" I hear her answer sleepily from my bedroom so I leave the bathroom, closing the door behind me. Then I look over at her and we make eye contact immediately.

I can't explain exactly but I freeze, getting lost in her eyes and I feel like I can't breathe. I gulp softly and I notice her eyes start to look me up and down so I figure it's alright for me to do the same.

As my eyes travel down I smirk softly as I realise the shirt I gave her to wear is my wales shirt with my name and number. I sit down in the small chair, trying to make myself comfortable and mumble into the comfortable silence "you look good in my jersey blue eyes."

She looks over at me and smiles softly, looking down before making eye contact with me again.

"Why are you in that chair Ellie? It's like half your size" she asks softly.

"Because there's only one bed and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable" I mumble softly.

I feel a soft touch on my forearm and I open my eyes to see Leah tracing one of the tattoos on my forearm softly and she whispers, "it's fine, Ellie. Come here."

I gulp softly as my heart beat increases slightly and goosebumps arise on my skin beneath her touch. I slowly get up and make my way to the other side of the bed. Leah moves aside slightly, trying to make space for both of us on the small bed. I carefully get into the bed as I look up at the ceiling, pulling the duvet over myself.

I take a moment before turning my head to the side and looking over at Leah. As if she can sense my awkwardness at the situation, she immediately eases it. She simply wraps an arm around my waist and rests her head on my chest. My heart beat increases slightly at the close proximity but I manage to control it, relaxing into her touch after a few moments.

I only had to wait a couple minutes before she slowly fell asleep and I didn't take long to do the same after her…

AN: My god it's been over a week since I updated this book! I knew it was a bad idea starting it during my A levels lmao. But here's the 6th chapter guys! I hope you enjoyed it, let me know if you wanna see anything in particular x