Ghost Girl

Chapter 5

The next thing I knew, I was being wrapped –although it felt more like being smothered to me—in a blanket and subsequently picked up. I immediately started fighting at the arms that held me, trying to free myself. The first thought that entered my mind was that it was Travis; he had attacked me and just starred in my dreams after all.

"Sky, stop. You're okay; it's me," came a voice close to my ear. My eyes flew open and big, bright blue ones stared back at me. Zak, I thought as I went limp in his arms. "Zak," I repeated, this time out loud. "Thank god," I sobbed, tears leaking out of my eyes.

Zak laid me down on the bed and sat beside me as he tucked me in, stroking my hair. "Sh, you're okay, sweetie. It's just me; I'm here now, it's okay." He enveloped me in his arms and I laid my head on his chest. "I didn't mean to scare you, sweetie. I'm sorry," he said, kissing my hair.

"It's okay," I gasped when I had finally calmed down. "I was dreaming about Travis and—" I started to say but Zak cut me off.

"Say no more, I get it. Now you're tired and so am I. We'll talk about all of this in the morning when we both are a little bit less foggy, okay?" Zak said and he gave my head one last kiss before he left my side.

I shivered as Zak stood up and took his warmth and comfort with him. I suddenly became panicky at the thought of being in the room alone. "Zak, wait. Will... will you stay with me tonight? In here? I just... I don't want to be alone right now." Tears fell from my eyes unexpectedly as all the emotions I had been pushing down came back to the surface.

Zak looked down at me, contemplating my plea. The expression on my face and the tears dripping down my face must have been enough to convince him because he said, "Okay, I won't leave you; not if you don't want me to. Just let me go change and get ready." He pressed another kiss onto my forehead and I melted into it. "I'll be back soon."

I sighed as he stood up and left the room but he was back before I could get too comfortable. I leaned further into the pillows and blushed as Zak blushed and took off his shirt. He crawled into the bed and opened his arms for me to snuggle into. I slid over slowly and he held me awkwardly. Eventually I laid my head on his chest and we found a comfortable position.

I laid there for a few minutes in silence, listening to his breathing as it evened out. Zak had to be exhausted; he'd just finished a lockdown this morning before flying out to me. I suddenly felt the urge to tell him how grateful I was for his being here.

"Zak?" I asked, leaning up on my elbow. "Are you still awake?"

"Mmm." He slowly opened his eyes. "What's wrong, Sky?" he asked, running his fingers through my hair.

"I just... I wanted to say thank you. For coming out here. Even though you didn't need to. I was okay; I just needed someone to talk to. But still, thank you for coming out here; it means so much to me. I feel better just having you here."

During my confession, Zak had rolled onto his side so we were lying face to face. Zak was silent for a moment before he grabbed my hand in his. "Sweetie, I'm always going to be here for you. You know that. You're my best friend. I'm not going to let you go through this alone, okay?"

I nodded and scooted closer to him. "God," I murmured, trailing my fingers down his cheek. "How did I get so lucky? How did I find someone like you?"

I saw Zak's eyes widen and he leaned into my palm as I cupped his cheek. My heart raced as his gaze landed on my mouth. At that point, I was sick of feeling scared and disgusting. I wanted to feel good; to feel someone whose hands felt right touching me. I realized then that I just wanted Zak.

I didn't think, I just acted, leaning into Zak and pressing my lips to his. Zak stilled, but as I tugged on his hair, he opened his mouth and deepened the kiss. He pulled me on top of him and sat up, settling his hands on my waist.

As I moaned into Zak's mouth, he lightened the kiss and it became sweet and soft. My hands slid down his chest and pinched his nipple. He groaned and his movements became frenzied; Zak slipped his hands under my shirt and pulled it off. I was left bared to him. Zak's eyes widened in appreciation as his head dipped toward my breasts. My hips bucked in response to his mouth. I couldn't hold myself up anymore; I dropped my head onto his shoulder and breathed in his scent, letting him hold me up.

Zak pulled away and rolled us so that I was looking up at him. "You're so beautiful, Sky," he whispered against my lips. I felt myself drowning and falling at his words but there was no way I wanted to surface or pick myself up. Zak made everything that had happened over the past 24 hours just... disappear.

What happened next was the natural next step for us to take. Our bodies moved and fit together like they were made for one another. There was no way to describe the pure bliss I experienced; no word for what we did except making love.

As I drifted off to sleep, trapped by his arms, I pressed a kiss onto his chest. There was no place I would have rather been, no one I would rather be sharing a bed with. This moment was perfect. "I love you, Zak," I mumbled as my last words before everything fell away.