Hearts Intertwined

Chapter Four

It's been about three days since Mr Harrison set our partner project and today happened to be the day that worked out well for both of us.

I walk into Hayden's room, greeted by a cluttered yet cosy space. Posters of bands and ice hockey players adorn the walls, giving the room a youthful vibe. His desk is a chaotic mix of textbooks and papers, a clear reflection of his struggle to stay organised. 

''Are you ready?'' I inquire.

''Ready as I'll ever be for hours of homework,'' Hayden replies with a hint of humor.

''Where shall we go?'' I ask, curious about where we should study.

''We can go on my bed,'' he suggests

We decide I'm going to do the descriptions whilst the other does the causes, symptoms, and treatments as they are quite short. We also choose to do the essays on depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. 

As we delve into our essays, I watch as uncertainty creeps onto Hayden's face, ''You okay?''

''Yeah, I can't seem to find the causes of bipolar disorder?'' He replies, clicking on a few more bits on our school app. 

''I think the textbook has it in, I remember reading it.'' I answer, going to grab the textbook but as I do, our hands accidentally brush as he goes to grab the book too, and a brief moment of silence hangs in the air as we both look into each other's eyes, neither of us moving our hands. 

"Page 47" I say, trying to maintain the focus on the academic task at hand. 

Despite the distractions and the unexpected tension between us, I can see Hayden's determination to do well with this project.

After a while, we manage to finish about  two mental disorders, bipolar disorder and depression. 

''You need a break? You look tired,'' Hayden questions, looking over at me. 

"Hm?" I look up, not having heard him clearly. I find myself propped up against the headrest, using his pillow for support.

 It's a very comfy bed okay! 

 Hayden smiles, "You look tired. I'll finish up whilst you take a nap." 

"Hayden, this is a partner project. I'm okay, I can keep going," I defend, determined to complete this session. However, despite my assurance, exhaustion takes over, and before I know it, I've succumbed to sleep, my head now resting on his pillow. As I drift off into slumber, the softness of the pillow cradles my head, and the gentle rhythm of Hayden's studying lulls me into a peaceful nap. The room is filled with the quiet sounds of pages turning and the occasional scribble of a pen against paper. Hayden's focused energy contrasts with my relaxed state, creating a serene atmosphere in his room. The warmth of the room and the familiarity of Hayden's presence make it easy to surrender to sleep, even in the midst of our study time. The comfort of his bed becomes a sanctuary, offering a brief respite from the demands of everyday life. 

Hayden's POV:

I can't help but notice how Ophelia seems so tired. Her dedication to this project is unwavering, but her exhaustion is evident. I wonder what keeps her up at night, tirelessly assisting me despite her obvious fatigue. I focus on finishing up the last two essays so we don't have to worry about finishing it. By the end, the words on the screen blur together as I try to concentrate, but I finally get it done.

I look towards Ophelia and see her lying there, peaceful in her slumber. Ophelia, with her mahogany brown hair cascading over my pillow. My pillow. Her brown eyes closed in rest, and her olive skin glowing softly in the dim light of the room. She's sporting a different look today. She's rocking these leggings that hug her legs just right, accentuating her every move. The oversized hoodie she's wearing, in a color that complements her style, has a unique design on the back, a nod to Macklemore's summer days merch. Her vibe shines through even in this cosy ensemble. Her fashion sense always exudes confidence and individuality, and today is no exception. The way she effortlessly pulls off this casual yet trendy outfit only adds to her charm and allure. She looks like an angel, serene and ethereal in her beauty.  As I watch her sleep, a wave of tenderness washes over me. The gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way her lips curve ever so slightly in a contented smile, all these details etch themselves into my memory. Ophelia, with her delicate features and quiet grace, is a sight to behold. Her presence in the room fills me with a sense of calm and warmth. Despite the chaos of the world outside, here, in this moment, everything feels right. I find myself mesmerised by her beauty, by the way, she radiates a quiet strength even in her sleep. I realise that in Ophelia, I've found not just a study partner, but a kindred spirit. Someone whose mere presence brings me comfort and joy. As I continue to gaze at her, a sense of gratitude fills my heart for having her in my life. It makes me want to know more about what troubles her and why she's always so tired. This girl intrigues me and makes me want to get to know her more.

As I continue to watch her peaceful slumber, a shift occurs. Ophelia's face contorts, betraying a deep sense of sadness and despair. She starts to move restlessly as if trapped in a nightmare of immense struggle. The tranquility of her sleep is shattered by the turmoil within her subconscious mind, manifesting in her troubled movements. It's as though she's fighting an unseen battle, her features contorted in anguish, lost in a realm of haunting dreams. Suddenly, Ophelia's voice breaks the silence, pleading desperately, "Mom! Please stay with me, don't leave, please, I need you." 

Her words echo in the room, filled with a raw emotion that pierces the air. Tears stream down her face, her cries echoing the depths of her anguish as she weeps uncontrollably. It's a heart-wrenching sight, witnessing her vulnerability laid bare in the darkness of the night. As she begins to tremble uncontrollably, I move closer, wrapping my arms around her quivering body. I gently stroke her hair, whispering softly, "It's okay, butterfly. I'm here. You're safe." 

My words aim to provide comfort in the midst of her turmoil, offering solace in the darkness that surrounds us. At that moment, Oliver comes rushing into the room, his concern evident on his face. However, he pauses at the sight of me comforting Ophelia. As my embrace lingers, her shaking begins to subside, the nightmare slowly dissipating under the reassurance of my presence. I feel Ophelia leaning into my embrace so I wrap my arms around her more, holding her even closer. I could see and feel her gradually letting go of the tension, her body growing more at ease.

"Is she okay?" I ask Oliver

 He nods, "Yeah, it happens quite often; she'll be okay. Thank you for..." he gestures toward where I've embraced her to calm her shaking. "that," he responds.

"How come it happened?" I inquire, still concerned. 

 "She was in a car crash a few years ago. I'll let her tell you the rest when she's ready, but ever since, she's been getting these nightmares from that day. What were you doing before it started?" 

 "We were doing our group project and she started looking really tired, so I told her to take a nap while I was finishing up, and suddenly she just started... shaking and crying out about your mom leaving her?"

I meet Oliver's eyes and see him flinch at the mention of their mom, ''Thank you for comforting her, I'll take her back to her room.''

''Course'' I reply as Oliver comes and carries her bridal style back to her bedroom.