The New Girl

Chapter 11

Taylor's POV

I groan to myself as I feel a movement beside me. I open my eyes and see Nikki tossing and turning. Her face looks troubled.

"Nikki," I whisper and gently tap her.

The moment my hand touches her she flinches and rolls the other way. She mumbles something. I pull her to where she's now facing me. She scrunches her face and hides in my chest. I feel her hands grip my shirt.

"Nikki. It's okay," I whisper and rub her back.

All of a sudden she sits straight up.

"Nikki?"

She jumps and her eyes go wide.

"Taylor," she whines and hugs me immediately.

I hold her tight. I can feel her breathing shake.

"Are you okay?" I ask and I feel her nod into my shirt.

"Bad dream?"

"Yeah," she says shakily.

"Want to tell me about it?"

She sits back for a minute but shakes her head no.

"Okay. Well just lay down. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

I pull her back down with me. She snuggles into my side. I stroke her back and her breathing calms down. After about 15 minutes I look down at her face. She immediately looks back up.

"Still bothering you?"

She nods. I sit up, her following.

"Follow me."

I crawl out of the tent and help her out. I intertwine our hands and lead her past the other tents. We walk in silence down the small path. We get to the small lake and I sit on a bench. She sleepily sits down on my lap and leans her face on my chest. I rub her back and she hums a bit. I look out over the lake. It's so quiet and peaceful.

"I had a dream about you," I say.

She leans up and looks at me.

"We were at my house and your brothers were there. They hated me."

She giggles a little bit.

"They won't hate you I promise."

"I hope not."

She leans back onto my chest.

"Well I'd still love you anyways," she mumbles.

I chuckle a bit and kiss the top of her head.

"I love you," I whisper.

"I love you too. I'm gonna sleep all day tomorrow."

I laugh and nod.

"How about since it's the middle of the night and they can't yell at us, we sleep in the bed in the RV?"

"Yes!"

She smiles and I laugh. I run my fingers through her hair and press my lips to hers. She smiles into the kiss causing me to smile as well. I break the kiss and lean my forehead onto hers.

"Your eyes are so pretty."

She giggles and blushes.

"Thank you."

She stands up and walks down to the lake. I questioningly watch her and then decide to follow her. She sits on the edge of the pier and dangles her feet in.

"It's cold."

"I could imagine."

She wiggles her feet and splashes a bit. I put my arms around her and hug her tight. She giggles hysterically as I pepper kisses all over her face.