Can't Stop From Falling

7 ~ Wanted?

Reid's POV

In the few minutes since Parker left to get me some pillows, the storm has gotten worse. After she jumped on my lap on the couch when it thunders, I figured she might feel better if I was at least in the same room with her.

As I step into her room, the house loses power. "Fucking hell," she mumbles. Thankfully, lighting flashes through the window lighting her bedroom enough for me to see where she is. Her back is turned to me, and I can tell she is shaking. I gently reach out to grab her to not frighten her more but it backfires. "Leave me alone! Leave me alone! Leave me alone!" she shrieks while attacking me.

For a small girl, she hits like a pro. I'm going to have a black eye or something from her. "Parker, stop. Parker, please stop. It's me, Reid. Stop. Stop fucking hitting me," I growl as I finally get a hold of her two arms and restrain her.

Fearing that I may hurt her, I let go of her arms and hug her tightly into my chest instead. She's shivering and sobbing. "I'm sorry," she whispers.

"Shhh," I hush her. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I shouldn't have grabbed you. I should have announced that I was in the room."

"W-why did you come into my room?" she hiccups with tears still streaming down her face.

"You're afraid of thunderstorms and it was getting worse outside. I thought I would check on you."

She pulls away from me and looks up at me. Her eyes are red and tear streaks stain her face. "Thank you," she whispers.

"There's nothing to thank me for."

"Yes, there is. You've been so kind and helpful today. You haven't said anything about my house being so small, that I live in a horrible area, or even that I am afraid of thunderstorms like a small child."

"There's nothing wrong with any of that. Our house size and where we live don't mean anything about us as a person; everyone is afraid of something. Who knows, maybe one day I will tell you what I am afraid of," I say smiling at her.

She picks up the pillows that have now fallen to the ground and hands them to me, "Still, thank you. You don't owe me anything and didn't need to help me," she smiles.

"You're welcome. Plus, friendship isn't about owing each other anything. It's helping to just want to help," I say before taking my leave and walking back to the living room couch that will be my bed for the night. I'm out like a light. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long as a loud rumble of thunder awakens me from my sleep. Once again the storm seems to be intensifying and with each roar of the thunder the small house rattles.

This type of weather is usually great sleeping weather, but all I can think about is how scared Parker looked earlier when it thundered. I toss and turn for a bit, but every single time it thunders her face pops into my mind. It's like I am on auto drive with no control over myself as I get up from the couch and walk to Parker's bedroom door. Standing at her doorway, I can just barely hear her softly crying and it breaks me. I knew she was scared, but fuck I didn't know she was that scared.

I tap lightly on her door with my knuckles and she sniffles. "Come in," she says with a broken voice.

Thunder echoes through the house again and she shrinks further into her bed. "Are you okay, Parker?"

She peeks her head out from underneath her blanket, "Y-Yeah. I'm f-fine," she stutters.

No, she's not. I can tell by the waver in voice. The power is still out and something about seeing her so scared doesn't sit right with me. I cautiously make my way over to her bed and lay down beside her. I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my chest. Her entire body stiffens in my arm, and I can feel her heartbeat quicken. "R-Reid, what are you doing?" she gulps.