The Protective Heart ✔️

9. Protecting her from being afraid

Crystal's POV

It was Sunday and I was at work, trying to concentrate the best I could. However, Declan's voice kept creeping back into my head and it was making it more and more difficult to focus on my job. He hadn't contacted me at all since last night. Bridget told me that he was going to wait for me...what did that mean? Wait for me to do what?

"Crystal, go home. You're making a mess more than you're helping." Cindy's voice brought me out of my thoughts. She was being too nice today and I figured it was because she couldn't afford for anyone else to quit. I shook my head at her.

"No, I'm ok. I promise." I told her but then I turned around and walked straight into a wall.

Oh, Shit for skittles!

I turned around slowly to see Cindy glaring at me with her hand on her hip. I stared at her for a moment before hanging my head in embarrassment.

"Yeah, ok. I'll see you tomorrow." I responded, walking carefully towards the door as to not embarrass myself again. I walked out of the restaurant and got into my vehicle. I sat their slumped over in exhaustion. I didn't get one wink of sleep last night. All I could do was lay there and think about Declan. I finally decided I couldn't take it anymore, I had to see him. I couldn't keep going on like this. So I drove to his house and parked in his driveway. My hands were shaking and my stomach was turning. I slowly got out of my car and walked up to his front door. I brought my hand up to the doorbell and rested my finger on it, trying to find the courage to ring it. Finally, I closed my eyes tightly and pushed it hard before letting my hand drop and my eyes open to watch the door open. Declan's eyes had dark circles around them and his hair looked disheveled. He was wearing a black t shirt with his name and a pair of boxing gloves on it and a pair of grey sweatpants. His eyes widened in shock for a moment before moving to the side, letting me in. I walked in and faced him as he closed the door. He slowly turned around and looked at me, his mismatched eyes trapped mine in a swirl of emotions.

"Why can't I get you out of my head?" I asked desperately.

"Same reason I can't get you out of mine." He responded. I let out a sigh and closed my eyes.

"Declan...you're really frustrating." I told him. He took a step towards me, leaving only a small gap between us. I could feel the electricity in the air.

"So are you." He said. I looked up into his eyes again to see a deep sadness in them.

"Why can't you just leave me alone?" I asked.

"Because ever since I've met you, you've become my oxygen. I feel like I can't breathe without you." His words made my heart ache.

"I can't be with you, Declan. I'm too broken." I told him as I fought back the tears. He looked deep into my eyes as if he was examining my soul.

"Why do you say you're broken?" He asked.

"Because I am. My dad broke me." I said, feeling a brick fall down from my wall. If I didn't get out of here, I was going to break. I needed to go. I broke his gaze and walked towards his front door. I felt his hand grab mine, making me turn back to him.

"I'm sorry. I won't force you to tell me anything...just please, give me one chance. I promise to do everything in my power to make you happy." His voice was so hopeful and his eyes were pleading with me. I closed my eyes tightly and shook my head.