Shy Eyes

16

Asher P.O.V.

For the umpteenth time, I hadn't been counting, I woke up drenched in sweat. The sheets were damp and strewn all over, the moonlight shining through the window illuminated the drops of sweat embellishing my skin. Shivers went down my spine as i found myself not hot, but incredibly cold. It had been 5 days since Paisley slept in bed with me. 5 days since she went to the hospital by herself to tell her brother the truth. She hadn't been communicating with me like she normally did. She was enclosed instead of open and emotional. She didn't look sad. She looked depressed, and also determined for who knows what. She didn't say much about her visit to the hospital other than the fact that John was doing "well". I didn't push it because I was just happy she was still with me.

I stared at the closed door of my bedroom knowing that she was right next door sleeping alone without me. Maybe space is what she needed. Of course I'd give her that. With caution that is. She could always be unpredictable and go off doing something wreckless.

But she wasn't what kept me awake this week.

I basically peeled myself off the bed and wandered into the bathroom oblivious of the time. The shower steamed around me as I washed away the sweat. Images of my sister flooded my mind. The look on her face when I saw her. The things she'd done. The betrayal. The worry. The deep emptiness inside me that I could not describe. Despite all she'd done, she was still family and was almost always on my mind. I wondered if she was actually going to come back for me as she had promised.

I heard a small knock on the bathroom door. I opened my eyes from their deep thoughts and turned my head to the door.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"Its me." Paisleys voice floated into mine, immediately calming me. I didn't even understand the love I felt for her but it was deep and ignited me.

I turned off the water and wrapped a towel around my waist. I opened the door to see her small frame, pale as always, but beautiful, dressed in pajamas, and her black hair cascaded down the sides of her shoulders. She scanned me only for a second before focusing on my eyes. She always looked into my eyes and at first it made me feel as if I was drowning but now it made me feel so deeply connected with her.

"Couldn't sleep?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Me either." I leaned against the door frame.

"I'm sorry I've been distant." She whispered.

"Don't be sorry, its okay to need space you know. Sometimes you need to put yourself before other people." I explained.

She then slipped her arms around my upper torso and pressed herself against me in a hug, despite the fact that I was still wet and mostly naked from the shower. I felt her sigh. I strung my fingers through her hair, enjoying the feeling.

Since the day I met her, I instantly knew that I'd do anything for her. It was not love at first sight. I just felt like I had to be her guardian, her friend. It wasn't until I saw who she truly was that I began to fall for her. The way she fit into my arms, the way she smelled, the way shed smile at cute things, her observatory skills, her personality. The way she evened me out. She was like a puzzle piece that fit almost perfectly to me, making me into this full image that made all the sense in the world. She was also much stronger than she thought she was. She never gave herself enough credit. She was so much stronger than I was when I lost my sister. Those were days I can't talk about, let alone think about. I don't understand why I even survived. But I had a purpose. And my purpose was to help Paisley through this, I just knew it. We were connected. She was difficult but I wouldnt let her go. She was worth it all.