Saved.

The Aftermath

Alright guys. First, sorry for this being sort of short. I'm in the process of writing the next chapter already. Also, sorry for the wait. Extremely long wait at that. But..
Here it is!
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After the fantastic tasting dinner, we move to the couch where he flips on a show that I am not familiar with. He plops down besides me and makes himself at home, and then there's me sitting rigid next to him, trying to do my best to act normal.

"So. I've been analyzing the current situation, and I was wondering if you'd like to stay the night here under my protection. I have an extra room if you want. But that's okay if not too, I'll take you home."

I pause for a couple seconds. Going home right now... Bad. Very bad. My mother had left my family, which would just be my dad and I, when I was about 6. My dad hasn't been the same since. He has periods of drinking and violence. Very, very long periods. Sometimes he will be a little more laid back than usual, but not very often. Above that, the past week has been a very bad one for him. I have no clue as to why that is, but I'd rather not walk in the door seeing how I was expected home hours ago. Honestly, never going home would totally be on my mind, had I not taken on the responsibility to keep my eye on him and keep him out of trouble. But.. I guess one night won't hurt.

Mike pokes my arm and brings me back to the land of the living.

"Oh uhhh. Yes, I'd love that actually, if that's okay with you. But please don't feel obligated."

"Really, it's no problem. It gets lonely around here anyways."

"Okay. Thank you so much Mike. You're a life saver. Literally"

He turns to look at me and smirks.

"No problem. And by the way, this isn't a five star restaurant, you don't need to sit so properly."

My cheeks flame red and I lean back into the couch and try to get a little more comfortable. Well.. As comfortable as I can be with my situation.

After about an hour of TV watching and giggling together at the characters puns, I lean my head back and without realizing it, I start to doze off. Mike doesn't notice for a couple minutes, but when he gets up he becomes aware of the sleeping girl beside him. As gentle as humanly possible, he picks me up just like he has twice already today, and carefully walks up the stairs to the guest room and lightly sets her in the bed and covers her up. I'm the process of this, he doesn't notice when my eyes slightly open in my drowsy state, and just as he starts walking away I catch his arm and hold it. He turns around and gives me a very soft look.

"... stay." I whisper.

He hears my soft plea and sighs. He walks soundlessly around the bed and slides in gently. He scoots closer to me carefully and puts his arm around my shoulders, and I roll slightly and set my head on his chest. At first I feel a slight discomfort in my collar, but it passes as I find the right position. I can hear the faint thump of his heart in his chest, and this puts me right to sleep. Then and there, I truly felt on top of the world.