Let Go

Chapter 7

Chapter 7~

I peel my eyes open. Dim sunlight filters through the blinds. Asher's arms around me is the first thing I notice. It surprises me at first, but the events of last night flood my memory. Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away immediately.

I don't need to cry over Luke anymore.

I hear a soft snore escape from Asher, indicating he's still asleep. In some ways I'm grateful for that. I like the comforting position we're in, and I'm almost positive he didn't get any sleep last night.

He shifts in his sleep, pulling me tighter to him and nuzzling his face in the crook of my neck. His breath whispers across my neck. A small smile dances across my lips and butterflies stir in my stomach.

For a moment I forget about everything. I forget about all the drama in my life and just enjoy this moment of peace. I enjoy the simplicity and happiness of it all. I wish I could wake up like this every morning, with the birds chirping cheerfully in my ears. I wish I could wake up everyday to arms encircling me. I wish I could wake up everyday feeling wanted.

My eyes spot the rough bandages wrapped around Asher's hands. Faint spots of red mark where his knuckles are. I skim my fingers over the bandage.

He did that for me.. I think to myself. Nobody's ever put themselves out there for me like that. I've always been that shy girl. I've always been that girl who's comfortable with having only a few friends. I've never told any guy that I've had a crush on them. I've never even dated a guy, really. I've never had a drama filled life.

This was a whole new experience, all of it. It seems like my first attempt at a relationship didn't go so well, but I can always learn from my mistakes, right? I can find something better after this.

I try to keep my optimism up, it's one thing I'm holding on too. I'm not going to be sad about this. I just wanna move on.

If I don't mean anything to Luke Obenham, then he's not gonna mean anything to me.

"Good morning." Asher's voice greets me. He still sounds a bit groggy.

"Good morning." I reply, trying to sound cheerful.

"How long have you been up? He asks.

"Not that long."

"You could've woken me up." He says with a chuckle.

"I thought you could use the sleep. You seemed to be up all night with me." I tell him.

"I've actually been up for a while," He admits- a tinge of pink tints my cheeks, "I just didn't want to ruin a moment of peace for you."

A smile grows on my face and I turn over to look at him. He's smiling back at me. The room grows silent, the only sound is our quiet breathing.

"I wish we could stay like this all day." I admit, glancing up to see him already looking at me with his bright blue eyes.

"Me too." He smiles. I snuggle closer to him and he strokes my hair.

"You can go back to sleep if you want. I know you're probably tired." I say, a pang of guilt flashes in me knowing he stayed up practically all night to help me.

"I'm okay, but you should try to sleep a little more. You could use it." He tells me.

"I can't, I'm not tired anymore." I lie. In reality I did want to go back to sleep. I was exhausted, but I wasn't running the risk of having another nightmare. Silence fills my ears as we lay there in peace.

"What are you thinking about?" He asks after several minutes.

"What do you mean?"

"You're awfully quiet, obviously you're thinking about something." He says, playing with my fingers.