3:26 am

t w e n t y - o n e

t w e n t y - o n e

I woke up with a pain in my lower back, and as I came to reality, it was obvious why. I was on the floor with only a few blankets under me. I started to push myself up, but something restricted me from doing so. I looked down to see a hand on my waist and my eyes widened as I looked over my shoulder: I saw Holden.

I jumped in surprise and Holden's eyes immediately opened. As his eyes focused on me and he realized what had happened, he pushed himself up as well.

"Sorry," I said, apologizing for waking him up so suddenly. He brought his hands up to his eyes and rubbed them gently before feeling around for his glasses. I did the same and put my glasses on as soon as I could after having grabbed them. I squinted my eyes as I tried looking through them, and began to laugh to myself as I noticed the glasses Holden was wearing. "These are yours," I told Holden, taking the glasses off of my face slowly. He chuckled softly and he handed me my glasses while I handed him his.

"Uh, hey," Holden said, laughing as he scratched the back of his neck. "I don't remember falling asleep."

"I don't either," I told him while shaking my head. I bit my lip and glanced to the other side of the living room. "Uh, do you want something to eat? I could make pancakes or something."

"Yeah, but you don't have to make anything yet," Holden said, keeping me where I was. "Wow, the tree looks great," As he spoke, I looked in front of me to see the tree we had decorated the night before sparkling in the dimly lit room. I began to laugh quietly as I remembered some events from last night and I looked over at Holden.

"Yeah... it looks really good," I agreed as I slowly nodded my head. "Thank you, Holden."

"Of course, sweet pea," A series of flutters rushed through my stomach and I looked down after he spoke, unable to keep a smile off of my face. "How about we make those pancakes?"

"Yeah," I said, nodding. Holden got up before I could and proceeded to help me up. As I stood, I looked up at him and he smiled down at me.

It was almost as if everything he did was intended to fuck me over.

I slowly came back to reality and started to walk past him and to the kitchen, knowing he would follow.

"Are you still bad at cooking?" I furrowed my eyebrows before turning around, placing my hands on my hips as I looked at Holden.

"What do you mean? You loved my cooking," I reminded him and he brought his hand up to the back of his neck before looking away, beginning to whistle innocently. "Holden!" I turned around and smacked his back gently which caused him to start laughing. "You're the worst!"

"Um, I'm pretty sure a lying boyfriend who eats anything undercooked for his lovely girlfriend is the best," Holden shrugged nonchalantly and I started to come at him, but he held his hands up and defending himself by catching my arms.

"I'm a good fuckin' cook," I bragged as I looked at him, my arms still being held by him. "You're an asshole."

"You're a mediocre cook," Holden told me and I gasped before pushing him backward. "I'm just being honest."

"I knew seeing you would just make me remember how much I hate you," I took my hands away from him and crossed my arms firmly across my chest. I stuck up my chin and Holden gasped.

"You're gonna pay for that one, Quincy May," Holden threatened, and I just smirked at him.

"Am I, really?" I asked him, scoffing as I looked away from him. Before I knew it Holden had lifted me up and was carrying me on his shoulder. "Holden, stop!" I exclaimed, and wished I could stop laughing so that he would think I was being serious.