GROWING PAINS

SIX

I feel like I'm being shaken. I almost jump as I see Brandon's concerned face.

I feel my shirt is damp and my tears have stained my face. I curl into a ball.
Brandon switches on the light and I hear his footsteps come to a hault.

I feel his eyes on me.

He walks over slowly and he scoops me into his arms. "I'm here. Shhhh. You're going to be okay."

I allow my fragile frame to sink into his own. I'm breathing heavily as I start crying. Once I've stopped crying and my breathing steadies Brandon places me on my bed.

I sigh and run my hands across my face. "I'm sorry." I croak. He shakes his head, "No, gosh please don't be."

I smile weakly, "Were you sleeping?" He nods, "Yeah, I just dozed off and then I heard some sort of hyperventilation. Then some muffled words but I could definatly hear the crying."

I sigh, feeling tremendously embarrassed. I place my head in my hands.

He says slolwy, "Are you okay?" I look up, "Yeah. I'm fine." He nods, "Is it-do you always have these dreams?"

I sigh and nod, "Some nights are better than others." He shakes his head, "That's insane. I'm really sorry."

I smile and nod. I try my best to bite back a yawn, but fail.

Brandon says slowly, "You're tired. Do you maybe want to come lay inside with me? That way I can comfort you if you're scared. Then you'd be able to sleep."

I stare at him. I then ask quietly, "Are you sure that you're up for that? I mean I don't want to scare you." He laughs, "Nonsense. You can never scare me."

I smile, I'm about to stand up but he stops me. "Wait here." I furrow my eyebrows.

He comes back with a glass of water. I smile at him. "Thank you. Do you mind giving me a minute? I want to change out of this." He nods.

I walk out my bedroom and see that Brandon has moved all the blankets and pillows to the floor. He then switches on the lamp and turns off the room light.

He smiles, "So that there's more space for us." I smile and nod. I jump underneath the covers and I turn to face Brandon.

His smiling at me, "You know, your so beautiful. It's taken me how many years to tell you that."

I blush as I know he really meant that. "Thank you." He nods, "Anyway, it's 04:30. You've got about two to three hours to sleep."

I nod and I shut my eyes and not to long sleep consumes me.

-Next Morning-

I wake up in Brandon's arms and I watch as the sunrays pour into the room.

My neck is nestled into the crook of his chest and his arms are around my waist.

I slowly shift to get a better look at him. He stirrs a bit in his sleep but he proceeds to sleep.

I take in how peaceful and caring he looks. I cannot brush the thought of how adorable and handsome he looks either.

His lips are parted as light snores escape his lips. His hair is a beautiful mess and his body is relaxed.

He stirres again but this time his eyes flutter open. He smiles as soon as he sees me.

"Morning. I'm assuming you slept well?"

That morning voice. It's husky and heavy. My heart literally stopped.

I nod, "Thank you." He smiles, "Anytime. You should let me know when you have those dreams."

I smile as he hands me his phone and I type in my number. He texts me and I save his number.

I look at the time.

9am.

"Brandon. We're both extremely late." He shrugs passively, "I took off today to help you unpack." A smile forms on my face, "You're joking right?"

He shakes his head, "Nope." I laugh, "Wow, thank you. Guess I'm staying too." He smirked, "You have no choice."

I quickly freshen up and he does too after me. We do the last bit of packing and I help move boxes down into his car.

He drops those boxes and then he comes back for me. We then stop at Starbucks and he insists on paying so I had go give in and let him.

We are now currently in the car and his smiling. "You ready to see your new house?"

I smile, "Yes, I am." He smiles, "Make this house your own." I smile.

As soon as we arrive I gasp. This isn't an apartment it's a house. It has a huge front and back lawn. It has a cobblestone pathway with huge square grey blocks.

Which leads to the huge brown door. As soon as I open the door I see all my boxes on the floor.

Brandon walks in smiling, "You like?" I nod and hug him. Both surprised at the sudden urge of contact.

I pull away quickly as he fixes himself before smiling. "I'll get the other boxes, feel free to look around."