Held Tight by Someone I Know

Chapter 6: Somewhat better than home

I sat up straight at my saviour and looked him in the eye before smiling and engulfing him with a giant bear hug.

"Christian!" I said shocked into his shoulder.

"Hey, Whatsername." He said softly as he hugged back, stroking my hair.
I smiled warmly and pulled back to see his enlightened face. His sparkling, smiling, brown eyes faded to a dull shade as quickly as it came.

"What's wrong, Chris?" I asked, kind of afraid of why he was so saddened.

"What are you doing here, whatsername?"

"W-what do you mean? I mean, you brought me here. Shouldn't I be asking you this question?" I made a sad attempt at a chuckle, which turned out to be single laugh in between my sentence.

"No, I mean. What are you doing in Jingletown?"

"Why does that matter? I used to always come here. Every night for a week without fail."

"Yeah, but. You've never came crying and in a panicked state." He said concerned. "Mind telling me what's going on?"

"It doesn't matter." I said sullenly.

"Ah, don't give me that! If it didn't matter, you wouldn't be in my shed recovering from a panic attack!"

I sighed and thought it was fair I told him. But, then I remembered...he didn't know who my dad even was yet. I never told him and the most prominent piece of information and now that I have brought it up with myself, it was eating at my brain. Picking at it like crows on carrion. I knew I had to tell him sooner or later...part of me really wanted to go with later but, he needed to know.

"I-" I was interrupted by my phone ringing.

'Daddy-boo' It showed up as on my bright IPhone screen with a picture of Billie and myself making silly faces. I nearly cried just by the sight of it.

I didn't want to talk to him. Hell, I couldn't even face him after what I told him! I'm the worst excuse of a daughter ever. I can't go home after what I had done. I closed my eyes tight then opened them before tapping the, 'Decline' button.

"Who was that?" Christian interrupted my thoughts.

"Um..." Think fast, Neo! "My friend."

He nodded in a approval and stood up.

"Well, it's too late to go back home tonight. You're better off staying here."
I was shocked to hear his words as they rolled off his tongue.

"Y-you're taking me in?"

"What? Of course! I'm not turning you loose out there at this time of night."
What time was it anyway? I looked at the glowing digits on my phone and my mouth went agape.

'10:32'

"How is it ten thirty-two?! When I left It was like eight!"

"Time goes fast when you're panicking." He smirked at his own little joke.

"Not funny." I said with a blank expression. He placed his hands up in the air, stepping back with that smirk still plastered on his face.
I mentally scolded him, I really wanted to tell him to stop being such a smartass but how could I? I mean, he was there when I felt as though no one else was. I could've just texted Jimmy that night I ran off, but a text wasn't going to help me. I needed someone there physically and in the flesh. That's where Christian came in. It was as if someone up there read my thoughts and miraculously came up with a guardian.
Now, don't get me wrong. I honestly doubt there's anyone one up there. Whether if it's a God, or a heaven or a Jesus or even a Bethlehem for that matter. It was all just a load of absolute, complete and undeniably ridiculous bullshit.

There is no God. There is no saviour. And there sure as hell no Heaven.
We were alone on this god forsaken planet. (No pun intended).

I stood up and looked around. Without a doubt, it was a total dump. It wasn't even a house. I shit you not, it was a tin shed.

"Nice place." I said plainly, sarcasm dripping off my voice.

"I try." Christian laughed. I viewed every inch of the retired abode.
There was a metal frame in the corner of the shed, withholding a thin mattress along with a single layer of brown bed sheets while in the centre of the room sat an old beat up plaid couch. The color drained from its once brightened state and the cushions that had to be thrown onto it, seemed to have been stabbed repetitively.
My eyes roamed to the other side of the room to where an old rusted stove sat, next to a mini old fashioned fridge.

I looked up to see a single lightbulb, functioned with a brittle silver chain. I slowly reached my hand up and yanked on it, the dim light eliminating the shed.

"You sleep on the bed. I'll take the couch."

"No. No, don't do that. It's your...house? Anyway, you take the bed. I'm fine with the couch."

"No. I insist and I won't take no for an answer." I sighed and nodded, deciding not to argue with this one.

I didn't bring any clothes with me, obviously. I mean, it's not like I planned my runaway. So I just slipped off my shoes, socks and skinny jeans, meaning I was only in my boy cut underwear and my black cut off.

Christian shrugged off his leather jacket and t shirt, exposing his muscle-toned back that made me just want to trace my fingers over it. He covered himself with a black hoodie splaying 'East Bay' across the front. He slipped off his jeans and pulled on a pair of baggy sweatpants that tightened around the ankles.
He turned around as he finished getting clothed and stared me up and down. 
There was a moment of silence as we just stared at each other's bodies, admiring each outline on our arms and legs.

I couldn't help but feel how wrong it was to do this. It was so wrong, yet so very, very right.
I had a boyfriend. One I loved with everything I had.

I will say, I didn't love Christian. I mean, I did as a friend but I can assure you not in an infatuation way like with Jimmy. But, he wasn't bad too look at.
What was about a minute of staring, turned into five and it was getting awkward. I tried to look anywhere but at him, although he just kept staring.

"Well, G'night." I piped up, trying to find a way out of this presumably staring contest.

Christian blinked a few times as if he was sleeping the entire time.

"Oh. Yeah. G'night, Whatsername." He said rubbing his neck before falling onto the couch and sighing. I looked down and slid into the sad excuse for a bed, covering myself with the paper thin sheets.

This was, I guess you could say, better than home...somewhat.