SMILE

Startled

A knock came to her door. "Riley. I'm coming in." Eli knocked on her door. You eyes were barely closing. You sat up. "Did you have a nice rest?" He asked, smiling softly. Yeah. Rest. I don't even know what that is anymore. You debated whether to lie. If he knows me then he will know if I lie. And I suck at lying. "Not really." He frowned. He looked around the room. "Is it the lightening in the room?" He glanced at the window. He walked over to the window. "No. It's just I'm not used to sleeping on other beds."

He looked over at you. "I'm glad." You titled your head. Huh? You thought about it. Yeah, no shit. I don't sleep around. Even if I did, it would be any of his business. "I'm sure by the end of the week, you'll love it here. Even more than your own bed." He sat down on the edge of your bed. You fought the urge to move away. It seems like the more I try to move out of his reach, the more he insists. "Yeah." Let's see what other surprises you have for me.

He reached over and placed his hand on yours. "We're going to have so much fun. Think of it this way. You're not going to be lonely anymore. You get to experience the love you read about." You stared down at his hand. Great. He found my books. You looked up at him. He was blushing. His eyes were practically piercing into your soul. "What books? I mean, what did do I read?" You asked, you need to know what books he found. And how did he find them. My tablet. Did he take it? He chuckled. She looks like a grumpy cat. So cute. And she wants to converse with me. She's not screaming like the rest. She's actually interested in me.

"Wait, you're not angry with me, right? I only took your tablet to learn about you. I was curious and wanted to know more about my love." He rushed out, his eyes going wide. What if this is a test? What if I fail to meet her standards? No. He shook his head. Eli, stop it. You're going to scare her. He squeezed your hand to gain composure. She's here. She's not going to reject me. His chest rose up and down. Trust. I need to trust her. He nodded to himself.

You were startled. It's almost as if he's trying to convince himself that this is normal. Snatching someone at 3am. And for what? To make some fairytale come true. And who does he keep comparing me to? He moved closer to you. "Are you disappointed in me?" He mumbled, looking away. He couldn't handle your gaze. Uhh, think. What do I say? "No. I'm just tired." His head snapped towards you. "Tired of me!" He exclaimed. You furrowed your eyebrows. "What? No. No. Tired as in sleepy." His grip on your hand tighten. Ouch.

He licked his lips. "The books I read were the once's in your tablet." You nodded. Figured. "I still got some to read." He smiled, rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand. "You enjoyed them." He sheepishly smiled. "I do." You didn't know what to say. That's fiction. And was meant to stay there. In my imagination. His grip soften. You cleared your throat. "Don't worry. I won't rush you. As long as you follow my rules. Everything is going to be okay." He said in an attempt to comfort you. The rules. Of course. Those stupid fucking rules. "I understand." You said, looking up at him. Perfect. "L-let's go." He stood up from the bed. He was flustered. She cares. She wouldn't be doing this if she didn't want to stay with me. Cute.

You followed him since he was still holding your hand. He thinks everything is fine. It's far from fine. I'm his prisoner. Not his lover.