"What year is it?" I ask, jerking up. Shawn rolled to the other side, his back facing me. He groaned and sighed.
"You fell asleep during the movie," he yawned.
We were in the master bedroom. Large windows with white flowing curtains surrounded every wall. I heard the water crashing down on the sand every other moment.
"Wh- why am I here? You could've left me on the couch, or wake me up for that matter," I say, plopping back down, my chest facing the ceiling. Shawn rolled over again on this king sized bed, now facing me.
"You were cute sleeping. I didn't want to wake you. I put you in a guest room. But a few hours later, I heard screams. My first thought was there was a murderer, but I think you had a nightmare. So I brought you in here. You clung to me like Velcro," Shawn said. He was looking at my face, and mine on the ceiling.
"A nightmare? I don't remember anything," I say, truthfully. "Sorry for waking you. I usually don't have them anymore."
"It's no problem. Hey, don't feel bad. You seemed to really like me. You kept me warm," he smiled. "Anyway, have you had them before?"
"Had what?" I asked.
"Nightmares?"
"Uh, yeah. They were common a few years ago. Sometimes I was too afraid to even fall asleep."
"What were they about, may I ask?"
"It's fine. It was just, people would be doing things that I couldn't stop, but I should've," I say, trying to be vague.
"Oh. You kept screaming 'stop.' But I mean, we watched a horror film before bed," he chuckled a bit, but with no humor behind it. I continued to stare at the white ceiling in silence. Have I screamed before? Why hasn't nobody told me?
"It's not a big deal, Athena. But, have these been caused by a personal event?" His raspy voice almost made melt. Everything just came out of me like word spit. I held it back, but not well.
"I don't know. I hope you aren't looking for a valid answer because I really don't know," I said, lying plain as day.
"Okay," he said, taking my hand. He stroked my fingers, making them tingle. I loved his warmth, his presence, his movements. Everything about him made me feel safe. The cold air rushed in, making the curtains fly up. It was still morning in California, so it was still pretty cool. My body still faced the ceiling, Shawn's body facing me.
"You know, I should probably call my sister. I bet she thinks I'm dead," I say, walking away from his touch. My hands felt cold without him.
"Oh, yeah. Well, I'm gunna take a shower. There's another one downstairs that my sister uses. I'm sure there's soap there. Use it if you'd like," Shawn said, standing up as well.
I thank him and walk down the stairs. I found my phone, it still having 30% left. I called Victoria and she answered on the third ring.
"Athena? Where are you?" She gasped. "Did you and Shawn-"
"No! Don't say it. I feel asleep at his place. WITH my clothes still on. Well, his clothes, but I'm just calling to let you know I'm not dead."
"Sweet. Okay, so I'm leaving in 3 days. They uh, wanted me earlier. I'm inviting a few people for dinner tomorrow night. Ask Shawn if he'd want to come. A few of my friends are going so, I just figured-"
"You wanted me to show up with a hot, young singer, who also happens to be a rich guy, didn't you?"
"Well, that would be alright I guess. But, I'm not forcing anything," she said, sarcastically, like she didn't know what was talking about.
"Hey, don't think of him like that. He's a person. He's chill. And besides, he's probably busy on his own."
"I was joking. Anyway, he can join if he wants. I'd like to get to know my future husband *cough* in law."
"I'm hanging up now."
"HEY I CAN HEAR THAT EYE ROLL YOUNG LADY-"
With that, I hung up on her. I sighed and walked to the bathroom, and started to strip myself from my clothing. The warm water hit my skin, causing steam to rise. I wash my hair, eventually smelling like coconuts, and drying myself with a towel. I changed back into my clothes from yesterday, and putting my wet hair into a messy bun. I walk out, seeing Shawn waiting.
"Here, I'll drive you home," Shawn offered. His hair was wet, and dressed in basketball shorts and a t shirt. He was the one that drove me here, and I had to get back some how.
"Okay, thanks," I say, grabbing my bag. He opened the front door (and the car one), being the gentleman he is. We drove to the sound of the radio before I spoke up.
"So, tomorrow night my sister is inviting people to dinner to celebrate her leaving for a bit. Would you care to accompany me in such an excellent event?" I say.
"Wow, Athena is using her big girl words," Shawn laughed, his eyes still on the road.
"I have an immense conduct of exquisite vocabulary words," I smile at him, he returning the look.
"Shouldn't it be me asking YOU out on a date?" He replied.
"This outing is not one of those putrid, and quite cliche attraction attempts most males use to win a females cardiovascular organ," I smile.
"Wow, okay. Chill, I was going to say yes to the date," he said. "Vocabulary Athena is great, but make sure she stays at home."
"I don't like you," I huffed, slouching in the leather car seat. A smile played on my lips as he couldn't help a smile at me.
"And I highly dislike you as well."
