Angelic Eyes

Chapter 4 - In His Arms

Maisie was limp in Dexters arms. Her arm rested on his shoulders, tears still streaming down her rosy cheeks. He rubbed her backs slowly, comforting her. She sniffled and the tears slowed. She let go appearing from the long embrace. Behind her sky-blue eyes was pain and fear. Dropped at Dexters feet was a white carry bag. He picked it up and invited Maisie in, guiding her in. Her lips her blue from the cold. She sat down on the couch, warming herself next the fire.
"Maisie, what's happening?" requested Dexter. Maisie stared blankly at the fireplace, ignoring Dexter. The glow from the fire made her beautiful face glow. Dexter sighed frustratedly.
"Can I get changed into something else?" Maisie uttered.
"Of course," insinuated Dexter. Maisie got up and grabbed her bag, opening to see what contents her dad gave her. He gave her clothes, headphones, her notebook and a few photos. Maisie grabbed some clothes and made her way to the bathroom. Dexter sat there on the couch, wondering what is going on with Maisie. Maisie walked down the hall wearing an oversized, fawn hoodie, which covered her short white bike shorts. Her face was still red and puffy from crying, and she had a bruise across her cheek.
Dexter and Maisie sat in silence, listening to the fire crackle. The silence was comforting. Every now and then Dexter would steal a glance at Maisie, her large blue eyes lost in space. She bit her lip and fiddled with her thumbs.
"I want to tell you. I just can't bring myself to tell you," sighed Maisie. It was the first time the two of them had spoken for half an hour. Dexter looked at Maisie, she was still looking at the fire. Dexter ran his hand through his hair, before speaking.
"Hey, look at me," said Dexter softly, grabbing her chin, making her look at him. "You can tell me anything, I'm here for you." Maisie nodded slowly, looking at Dexter, deeply into his eyes.
"Mum has cancer. Dads waiting for her to practically die so he can get all the money from the will. My friends all ditched me, and my best friend moved away. Riley broke up with me and to top it all off dad kicked me out and did this," she confessed hopelessly, pointing at her bruise. A sole tear ran down her cheek. Dexter's ears perked up when she said her, and Riley broke up. Dexter didn't realise how crestfallen she was. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's going to be ok, because I'm here now and I can help you," he explained calmly. Maisie shook her head but slouched back into the couch. She inched closer to Dexter, glancing at the easel with a half-finished painting of a sunset placed upon it.
"I didn't know you were an artist!" she boasted, admiring the unfinished piece. Dexter shrugged unenthusiastically.
"I picked it up over the years. I'm not very good," he muttered, pushing his glasses up onto the bridge if his nose. Maisie chuckled at Dexter's comment. She thought he was good, and he deep down knew he was. Maisie thought it was going to be awkward being at Dexter's, but it was just like old times, before they broke up. Maisie glanced at Dexter before putting her head on his shoulder. She sighed and snuggled more into Dexter warm body.
Dexter insides warmed. Maisie had her head on his shoulder. He smiled warmly, hoping Maisie wouldn't notice. He breathed in her scent. She smelt like a meadow of daisies. He made sure he didn't move to much or breath to loud. He wanted her to be comfortable. Every blink become longer, until she closed her eyes fully. It wasn't long before she was sound asleep. Dexter tucked a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear. She had multiple ear piercings.
Dexter couldn't understand how a person as beautiful as Maisie could go through to so much. Maisie breathed softly onto Dexter's neck. The fire left a luminous glow through out the small living room, it continued to burn for another half an hour before starting to dim down. It wasn't long until Dexter fell asleep, with Maisie in his arms.