The Firefly

41°

I woke up in the same position as just before I fell asleep.

Jake was breathing regularly and had not moved an inch.

His half-open lips were just above my head, a few strands of hair fell over his closed eyes.

I made the mistake of moving my head to admire him better, and his small, thin eyes opened slightly.

I felt his hand on my hip touch me softly, as if to make sure I was still there, then he hinted a small, fleeting smile.

-Good morning.- I shuddered as I heard his newly awakened, wonderful voice again.

-I'm sorry I woke you up.- I tried not to get lost in his eyes again. He shook his head softly. -It's okay.- He smiled pulling away and loosening his embrace, stretching.

-My arm fell asleep.- He grimaced, trying to get his sensibility back. -It's my fault, I slept on it.-

-You fell asleep first last night and I didn't want to wake you up.- Clumsily he smiled softly.

Neither of us was used to all that confidence, but neither of us seemed to mind.

My gaze fell again on his wrists covered by the sleeves of his coral-colored pajamas.

I shuddered, immediately looking away. -You haven't had any more sleep paralysis tonight.- Noticed the boy bringing me back to reality. I shook my head.

I made a recap of the night that had just passed, and only then did I realize that our rooms were on different floors. -Jake...- I began to say taking him by the shoulders and looking at his face.

-Jake last night you climbed the stairs alone.- I pointed out to him. -And what's more, without the cane!- I added, casting a glance around us.

For a few moments he said nothing, furrowing his brow. -I know.- Letting out an amused grimace he chuckled. -Are you hurt?-

-Don't yell.- He laughed. -Answer me right away.-

-I didn't hurt myself.-

-You could have injured yourself.-

-But I didn't.- He said, hinting at a smile.

There was silence for a few moments. -About last night, Jake.- I began, his cloudy eyes twitching.

-I know.- He said dryly before I could add anything else, as if hearing it again caused him even more pain.

-I know that sleeping together means nothing to you.- His rosy lips tightened. -Don't think I just used you so I wouldn't be alone.-

-No, I never thought that. I've always trusted you, Brat, but the fact that you say that makes me think.- He paused, running a hesitant hand through his disheveled raven hair.

-Isn't it that you're trying to convince yourself that you haven't?- He observed in a cutting tone. My heart sank, what if he was right?

-You're wrong.- I said instead, getting up and absentmindedly combing through a few strands of hair.

-Not even you were in a condition to be alone after what you showed me.- I continued by alluding to the cuts on his wrists, I tried hard not to look in that direction.

I knew it would bother him.

-I asked you as a friend.- I added.

It seemed to hurt him more than it should, his indifferent expression faltered.

-I'm glad you consider me a friend.- He whispered and it hurt, it destroyed me inside to know I had hurt him again.

Yet it would have been even more difficult for me to pretend nothing had he known the truth.