Dream On

Late

Haley

I woke up early the next morning with the sun just barely poking through the curtains. I rolled over slowly and quietly to admire a sleeping Steven Tyler lying next to me. 

This was the first time I got to look at him up close. Those big lips. His cheekbones. That dark brown hair. He really was good looking.

I turned back over to try and go back to sleep, because I didn't want to wake him. Plus, I needed time to think.

He told me he loved me last night, and that was unexpected--but it felt so right.

I was just barely awake, floating somewhere between the real world and unconsciousness when I heard him call my name. That's when he said it. 

And what did I say back, you ask?

Nothing. I didn't say a damn thing. 

Why?

Well, because I didn't know what to say. I've been in enough relationships to know that you have to be careful, and I didn't know-- it was just so unexpected, it kind of took me by surprise. But I did love him. I was just afraid to say it.

So I pretended to be asleep, and he didn't say anything more. 

I flicked my eyes open and stared at the ceiling. I hadn't gotten a good look at Steven's room in the daylight, so I was taking the time now to take it all in. 

The whole room was covered by a red parachute, with Christmas lights strewn all around. He had clothes spread all over, and empty beer bottles here and there. The entire place smelled of orchids, cheap booze, and cigarettes. 

My eyes glazed over to the nightstand next to the bed and landed on the clock that set there. I read the time carefully. 6:58 AM. 

Wait. Did I read that right? I rubbed my eyes and looked again. Sure enough, 6:58 AM. 

"FUCK!" I cursed, bounding out of bed with lightning speed. I dove for the floor, collecting what clothes I had left there. This, obviously, woke Steven up.

"What the hell?" he questioned, squinting at me with sleepy eyes.

I slid my scrub bottoms that I wore to work yesterday back onto my body. Gross, yes, but it had to be done. 

"I'm late for my clinical rotation." I barked, sliding my scrub top over my body.

I watched Steven wipe his tired eyes as I threw my hair up into a messy pony tail. 

"I'd take you, but it would take me even longer to get ready and your already late." he blinked.

"Here, you can take the car. I'll come get it if I need it later." he tossed the keys to me.

I scrambled around the room trying to locate my shoes. When I finally did find them, I heading for the door. "I'll catch you later." I said to him.

"What? You mean I don't even get a little kiss?" he complained, causing me to smirk and roll my eyes, despite my exasperated state of mind.

I headed quickly to his bedside and bent down to connect his lips with mine. 

What should have been a quick peck turned into a lengthy french kiss, and I had to push Steven away. 

"Steven, as much as I'd love to stay here and spend my morning locking lips with you, I'm already late. I've gotta go." I said.

"If you don't want to go, then don't. I promise you won't regret it." he shot me a smile which made butterflies form in my stomach.