Everything I Didn't Say

s i x t e e n

SIXTEEN

SOMEONE WAS SNORING. And it wasn't me.

My eyes snapped open in horror. Oh my god, someone was in my bedroom with me. At first, terror gripped hold of my stomach, making it coil with fear but then I remembered all that had happened last night.

Now that my bedroom wasn't dark and the sun was just peeking over the horizon, I was beginning to realize the error of my mistakes. What was I even thinking, bringing Jared into my room? Did I have a death wish from my family? Did I have a death wish from my boyfriend - who would lose his nuts if he found out what had happened?

But ... had anything really happened? It wasn't like we'd hooked up or something. We'd just slept ... just slept, nothing more, nothing less.

And that's when I turned over and found that Jared was sound asleep, snoring lightly beside me. He was asleep! I'd properly helped him get a good night's sleep for the first time in four weeks. I shouldn't feel as proud as I did but I allowed myself a small amount of happiness for him.

The moment was shredded as I heard footsteps padding across the landing, outside my bedroom door. I froze, holding my breath and watching the door handle cautiously.

There was a supressed yawn from outside my door and then there was a polite knock. "Isla! Wake up sweetie. School." It was Mom and thankfully she wasn't coming in.

I listened to her making her way into the bathroom and running herself a shower. As soon as the bathroom door clicked shut, I finally started breathing again.

I reached out a hand to wake Jared up and ask him as nicely as I could to get the hell out of my room before my Mom finished her wash. I paused upon seeing his sleeping face.

He looked so fragile and young while he slept. His left cheek was mushed against the carpet as he snored softly. Up close, I noticed now that he had a smattering of freckles across his eyelids. How strange.

Before I could grow even more distracted by his unnaturally sharp cheekbones and long lashes, by the shadows under his eyes and his full lips, I gently shook his shoulder.

"Jared. Jared, wake up" I whispered, careful to keep one eye on my door.

He mumbled something unconsciously, moving his body away from my shaking hand.

"Jared. I'm serious, you gotta get up" I continued, unrelenting. He really needed to leave before someone came in unannounced.

"Mom, go away" he grumbled, giving me a weak shove.

"I'm not your mom Jared" I stated.

He opened his eyes, coming to slowly and when he saw me crouching over him, he jumped in fright. "Jesus - what the - oh ..." he trailed off, obviously recalling the events from last night and scanning my room. "Oh."

"Sorry but you kind of need to leave. My Mom's gonna be in any minute" I told him.

He nodded frantically and scrambled to his feet, faster than I'd intended. He made his way over to my still open window and leaned over the sill. "Wow ... it's higher than it looks in the light, huh?" he joked easily.

As he strained to look down, I noticed his back muscles becoming taunt through his shirt. I gulped unknowingly and made my way to stand beside him.

"You gonna be okay jumping?" I asked.

He nodded easily, climbing onto my sill. "No problem. Thanks for letting me stay Isla. I really appreciate it" he said over his shoulder.

"Anytime" I said before I even thought.