I Can't Hear You

Chapter 6

"There are many who don't wish to sleep for fear of nightmares. Sadly, there are many who don't wish to wake for the same fear." 

Spencer's POV

When I woke up the next morning, Layla was snuggled up against my chest. I smiled as I reached up to brush a blonde strand of hair out of her face. I don't know how long I laid there like that, with her in my arms, but I enjoyed every second of it. She was so calm. Her entire body relaxed for once.

As if just to ruin the peaceful moment, her face suddenly contorted in a grimace and she started whimpering softly. Her breathing became rapid and I knew she was having a nightmare. I shook her lightly, trying to wake her up, but it didn't work.

"Layla, wake up." I said, still shaking her.

She's deaf, dumb ass. Reed commented sarcastically.

"Fuck."

Her arms started flailing as she rolled away from me, onto her back. She was panting and whimpering. I shook her once more, becoming very worried. 

Without warning, she shot straight up, looking around frantically, as if looking for the monster from her dreams. I sat up next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.She jumped, snapping her head towards me.

The tears in her eyes broke my heart as I said quietly, "You're okay. Nothing is going to hurt you," enunciating each word so she could read my lips. Her eyes were focused on my lips, and as I finished my sentence she sighed slightly in relief. What she did next, though, surprised me. She flung her arms around my neck, burying her face in my shoulder. I rubbed her back slowly and felt her body slowly becoming less and less tense.

Once I had calmed Layla down, I decided that today I would take her clothes shopping. I would have to bring Aleksis along, seeing as I still couldn't communicate very well with Layla on my own. 

Layla was taking a shower, so I took the opportunity to get dressed. I pulled on a pair of blue dark wash jeans and a simple black v-neck.

Reed was unusually quiet today, which was weird. Normally he asks to go on a run first thing in the morning. If I didn't have anything important planned, I usually obliged.

I heard the shower turn off and a few minutes later, Layla walked out in one of Aleksis' shirts and a pair of her skinny jeans. It freaked me out that I thought my mate looked absolutely stunning in my sister's clothes. I didn't realize I was staring until Layla waved her hand in front of my face. She had a light blush covering her cheeks and she was looking at her feet.

I shook my head, bringing myself out of my daze. I saw her slightly flinch at my sudden movement. I cringed and I felt Reed's disapproval of my actions, noting that that was the first appearance today. Layla glance at me through her lashes and I caught a glimpse of fear in her eyes. It broke my heart and pissed me off all at the same time that she was afraid of me. I hated what her parents did to her. Aleksis hadn't told me everything, only that she was abused. Honestly, I felt as though I didn't want to hear everything that had happened because I didn't know how I would react. 

I walked to my small bedside table to grab a piece of paper and a pen. I wrote down that I would take her shopping today and handed the paper to her. I saw excitement blossom over her beautiful features but it quickly disappeared. I frowned, wondering what made her react like that. I gave her a curious look and she motioned for something to write with.

"I don't want to go shopping." The paper said. I gave her another curious look and she continued to write. "I don't feel comfortable trying on clothes." Now I was even more confused.