Bad Dreams //mgc

18.

*Michael's POV*

"It's happened before."

Three simple words that will haunt me forever. She has been through so much, and there's more to tell?

Suddenly she started sobbing. "I can't! I can't do it. I'm sorry Mikey, I really wanted to tell you, but I just... I can't! It's too hard!"

"Shhh shhh shhh it's okay Cara. Its okay angel. You don't have to." I have her in a tight hug and she squeezes me even tighter. Good thing she's so tiny, otherwise I wouldn't be able to breathe right now. I put my hand under her jacket and rub her back through her hoodie. "Shh shhh shhh. Everything will be okay. You're safe now. I've got you. I won't ever let anyone hurt you again. I can promise you that angel." I hate to see anyone hurting. Especially Cara. Especially her. I don't know how its possible in just a weeks time, but I can't deny it any longer. I've fallen for her. I might even love her. But there's no way in hell I can tell her that right now. She'll think its pity or something like that. She's going through so much already. I won't add to her troubles.

She mumbles into my chest, "sometimes I wish that I could wake up with amnesia and forget about all these stupid things".

She starts shivering after that and I stand up, pulling her with up with me.

"I think you've had enough to deal with tonight. Let's get you home," I tell her and she nods her head in agreement. Once we exit out of the woods and onto the street, her teeth start chattering, so I pull her in front of me, unzip my coat and wrap my arms and jacket around us both. If Luke were here, he'd probably say that we look like a penguin with the way we're waddling through the neighborhood so slowly, but her teeth have stopped chattering. We'll get there eventually. At least she's warm. We walk in relative silence the rest of the way. The only sounds are her giggles when we pass under a street light. Our shadow looks pretty crazy and I can't help but laugh along.

Once we reach the house and go inside, I start to head into the living room to the fold-out sofa bed that Calum's already asleep on. Her parents made it very clear that Calum and I were to sleep downstairs while Regan and Cara would share Cara's bedroom upstairs. Cara grabbed my hand and whispered, "Can I sleep with you tonight? I just... I just think I need it." My heart is the one doing flips this time. I just smile and nod. I think I love this broken girl.

****
"CARA RENEE!" I wake up quickly to the sound of her father's bellows. I groan momentarily and her dad asks, "Drinking last night?" while scowling at me.

"No sir. Head rush. I've never woken up that quickly before." I tell him honestly. As I look at him, I see him trying to hold back a laugh and he looks at our grossly entangled bodies. I have Cara coccooned under my neck with my arms tightly around her waist while Calum has one leg on my waist. My waist. How is that possible? We're both 6'3" and his leg is all the way up here! He starts to move and an arm whacks me in the head. Cara's dad chuckles and says, "we'll find a different bed for you tonight Michael." Then he looks at Cara, who's awake but hasn't moved from my arms. "You, young lady! I told you that you were not to sleep with these boys."

"I know Dad, but I just... I needed to. I needed to sleep cuddled up. It was a rough night." He raised his eyebrow questioningly, glancing at me quickly before returning his gaze to his daughter.

"Uh," she started, "Yeah. Um, TJ was there. With his pregnant girlfriend."

"Damn" he muttered under his breath. "Just... Get yourselves straightened out before James gets up. I don't need my 6 year old to see his big sister in the same bed as two guys."

What he did next I will be forever greatful for. He got a mischievous grin on his face as he walked around to Calum's side, wet his finger in his mouth, and stuck it in Calum's ear. "WET WILLY!" he yelled and Calum shot straight up (at least he kept his pants on or things may have turned out differently) and the rest of us burst out laughing. The tension is now gone, thankfully.

Cara went up to change and wake up Regan while Calum and I put the living room back together. We all met up in the kitchen from the smell of some French toast.

"Good morning," Pam greeted us.

"Um, mom?" Cara asks, "I hope you have a lot. I forgot to mention that they could eat an entire loaf each, literally!" Everyone laughed and Pam told her not to worry. "Two 19 year old boys in the house? I knew what to expect. I have two older brothers ya know!"

"True"

"So what are you kids up to today?" she asked, but was interrupted by the excited squeal of a young child.

"IT'S SNOWING! CARA! RAY RAY! LETS MAKE A SNOWMAN!" James yelled out.

"Looks like we're building a snowman!" Cara laughingly told her mom.

After finishing breakfast, we all went outside and helped James make not just one snowman, but a whole snow family! It really makes me wish I had siblings! We spent the entire day out in the snow. After the snowball fight (I think I have a bruise now even through all the layers, thank you Calum), we went sledding in a neighbors yard. Apparently everyone in the neighborhood sled on their hill. They even turn spotlights on at night for everyone! Our sledding turned into dog fights. It was hilarious to watch grown teenagers try to knock each other off their sleds! I'm both surprised and proud to say that Cara kicked our asses! She even ran Calum into a tree! This was the most fun I've had in years, and I could tell Cara felt the same! Her eyes were lit up a bright light gray all day.

I've figured out now that her eyes are a light bluish gray. The lighter they are, the happier she is. Its only when she's very emotional that they appear a deep blue. I plan to keep them as light as possible!