Falling Together

Chapter 16 (Adrian)

On my way home, I see a car parked outside my neighbor's driveway. I look to see who it is but it has tinted windows. Once I open the door to my new apartment, I see Lily asleep on the couch and of course there is a new movie playing. By now, I don't doubt she has seen every movie out there. She breathes loudly when she sleeps which always soothes me. She honestly is the most beautiful person I have ever seen. Just looking at her sleep makes me smile. I try to pick her up off the couch to take her to my bed but when I'm about to lift her up, she mumbles something.

Lily: "Stop. Just Stop."

I don't know if she is talking to me or if she's having a dream.

Lily: "Don't touch me. Leave me alone Cole. I said STOP."

She's not having a dream; she's having a nightmare. I grab her shoulders to wake her but she doesn't wake up. So I wrap my arms around her and brush my hands against her hair. She starts to shake and I'm starting to get scared.

Adrian: "Lily, Lily wake up! Lily listen to me. You have to wake up"

Her eyes flutter open and by the tears in her eyes, she is as scared as I am.

Adrian: "Shhhh, it's okay. You're safe."

And with that she answers as if completely out of breath.

Lily: "No Adrian, I'm not."

I can't help but feel a tight pressure on my chest. She is so hurt and I just want to fix all of her problems. But I know that she needs time. I can't push her right now. So I lightly kiss her forehead as she begins to speak but I start to cut her off.

Adrian: "Sh, sh, shh we can talk about this tomorrow. I just want you to rest. "

I can tell by the way her breathing starts to relax, she's grateful. As she looks me in the eye she silently says "thank you."

I slowly gather her in my arms and carry her up the stairs to my bedroom and she instinctively places her head against my chest and wraps her arms around my neck. All I ever want for her is for her to feel safe, especially with me. I want to be her safe haven. I want to be the one she goes to with her problems, the one who will never judge her or ever make her feel anything but wanted. She is mine and I won't ever let anything or anyone hurt her.

I place her on my bed and pull the blanket over her body. To not wake her up I lay down next to her, over the blankets, and wait until she falls asleep. Five minutes later I get a call from my new friend Bret. I met him right after Lily got into her limo, at the airport.

Adrian: "Hey Bret, what's up?"

I try to whisper so I don't wake her up.

Bret: "Nothing man I was just checking up on you."

Adrian: "I'm good man, just a little tired."

Bret: "Sorry, am I interrupting anything?"

Yea kind of.

Adrian: "No its fine."

Bret: "Well, I wanted to know if you would like to come to a charity I am hosting."

Adrian: "Yea sure when is it?"

Bret: "It's in two days. I'm sorry for the short notice but you can bring a guest."

Adrian: "Can I let you know tomorrow?"

Bret: "Yea that's fine, but it would mean a lot to me if you came. Lily would have fun too."

Adrian: "Okay man, I'll call you tomorrow."

Bret: "Okay, thanks."

As I'm hanging up, I can't help but think if a day offlike that would be good or bad for me. Brushing it off my mind I lay back downon the bed, getting under the blanket and pulling Lily close to my chest. I would keep her like this forever if I could.