The Monster Under My Bed

Somehow, I manage to squeeze in two full nights of uninterrupted sleep.

I almost think that maybe they've noticed how much fight Noah has to put up and have backed off, but I don't dare jinx myself.

"Elise?" Mom calls as she stomps down the stairs and into the kitchen. "Please tell me you've got coffee brewing!" She slumps against the island counter and rubs her eyes.

I pass her a mug of freshly brewed coffee and grin at her. "Are you working today, mom?"

She nods and groans. It's mid week and I have a shift at the coffee shop.

"Would you mind if Noah came over this afternoon?" I ask, more so we don't have to stay in my room and mind-talk constantly.

Mom shrugs, "I don't see a problem with it. I'll be working until twelve, then I've got to do some food shopping." Mom sips her coffee and moans. "Good brew," she commends, smiling tiredly. "Will Noah be staying for dinner, then?"

"Yes." Noah answers in my head.

I sigh internally and nod, "if that's okay with you?"

Mom grins, "I like that boy a lot, Elise. There's something about him..." Her brows furrow as she stands up straight and rakes her fingers through her hair, "it's like some aura thing. He's all protective of you, even when we're just drinking coffee." Mom says with a shrug, "it's like although he looks away, he never really takes his eyes off of you."

It sends shivers over my skin and a blush across my entire body. "Mom..." I groan, hiding my face in my hands.

She giggles cheekily, "you really like him, don't you?" She says, seemingly surprised by the fact.

I pick up the tea towel and throw it at her, "shut up!" I say, laughing nervously.

"Okay, okay, okay!" She turns and carries her coffee out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

It's then that I notice Noah standing in the archway to the living room, staring right at me with the most peculiar expression. But then he poofs out of sight.

Gulping as a knot of embarrassment and nerves works its way into my stomach, I put my face in my palms and expel a breath.

~~~~

After the incident with my mom in the kitchen, I don't see Noah for a few hours...

I'm brewing coffee at work for an exceptionally large load of tourists fresh of a tour bus when someone says my name. I look over the top of the coffee machine to see Adam Briers.

"Adam?" I say shocked. "I thought you were with your dad?" He wasn't even supposed to be in town.

"I flew back in on the jet this morning. I needed to see you..." He says the last part quietly, so quiet that I almost can't hear him over the machine heating the milk.

I gulp. What could you possibly want now?

"Oh? Me...?" I say, internally hoping it's not me. "Why?"

He pushes through a few people in line and leans over the counter a little. "I miss you, Elise... So much." He says, and I can see the tears brimming in his eyes.

I almost groan. "Adam, I'm working... I can't do this now." I say with a sigh. "Can I call you after my shift?"

He shuffles uncomfortably, "can't you slip out for just a few moments?" He begs.