It was late on Thursday night when my buzzing phone woke me up. As a picked it up I flinched at the bright light and checked the time. 12:47. Who the hell is texting me at midnight. When I opened my messages Emma's name popped up. Why would she text me? She said she didn't want to date. 'I know it's late and I'm sorry about that but I'm outside and I need you.' The text read. What is she doing at my house? I pulled a hoodie over my head and snuck past Jude. I went down the stairs and opened my front door while I yawned and rubbed my eyes. Emma was shaking from the cold in her pyjama shorts and thin sweater. I was about to ask her what she was doing here when I noticed that she was crying.
"Emma? What's wrong?" I asked quitely.
"I'm sorry. I know this is weird but I just.." She whispered in response before bursting into tears again.
"Hey, it's okay. It's fine really." I told her before pulling her in for a hug. Her body fit perfectly against mine with her head tucked under my chin and her small frame being pushed against me by my large arms. After a moment I pulled away and lead her inside. We went to the kitchen and had a seat at the island bench. I poured two glasses of water and sat next to her.
"So what's going on Emma?" I asked her. We still had to be quiet because everyone was asleep and I didn't want to wake Moms up. Emma turned her head to look at me and smiled weakly as her eyes dropped back down to the bench.
"Oh my god this is going to sound ridiculous." She began. I waited for her to continue. "The moment at the school, in the office." She paused and shifted her eyes back to mine. "When Nick came in and pulled the gun on me." She paused again and flicked her head back to look at the ceiling. "That was the moment in my life that I felt the most unsafe. The worst thing I've ever felt was the fear of being killed. In that second I seriously thought I was going to die." She flicked her eyes around the room as she spoke. Now she was looking at me.
"I know it was scary but-" I started but she cut me off.
"Just let me finish Jesus. Even though that was the worst moment of my entire life, the safest moment came right after. It was the moment that you stepped in front of me and in that second everything stopped, except for you." She was trying not to cry again and she was still looking at me. "I couldn't see or hear or move or breathe properly, but I could feel you. I felt you give your life for mine." She paused. "And that feeling. That amazing and beautiful feeling that someone was willing to do anything for me is the feeling I want to hold on to for the rest of my life." She stopped and looked at me.
"I would do anything for you. I would never hesitate to give my life for yours." This time I paused. I looked at the bench and then back at her. "I love you." I heard her tiny gasp. If the house wasn't silent I doubt I would've heard anything at all.
"I love you too." She said before pressing her lips against mine. I wrapped my arms around her as she dropped her head to my shoulder. I could feel her breath against my neck before she whispered
"This scent. I remember it." She whispered. I was really confused but let her finish what she was saying. "I remember it from the office when you protected me. It's the only thing I remember clearly. The old wood and rich chocolate smell."
"I think that might just be me." I said and felt her giggle against my chest.
"It's safe." She told me. "It's what safety smells like." That was all she said as she dozed off in my arms. Within minutes she was asleep. I picked her up carefully as she snuggled her face harder against my shoulder and gripped my hood with her hand. I carried her to the living room couch and placed her down gently. I grabbed a blanket from the other side of the room and pulled it up over her. I went to move back upstairs but she reached her arm out and grabbed my wrist.
"Please stay." She murmured softly. I smiled at her before laying down next to her. I held her tightly as she fell asleep again and soon enough I was asleep too.
