Munchkin

•Sixty Three•

The next morning when I woke up, I didn't feel the warmth. I didn't feel the safety and security. And everything that I longed for and went to bed to.

My eyes shoot up and Jace is gone. Thoughts of them taking him and him being in danger and them hurting him and all of this being my fault all congest my mind and my heart beat picks up and I find it hard to breathe.

I sit up and hold my chest, trying to calm down and reassure myself. I look down at the side of my bed and find a note. I pick it up with furrowed brows and read it.

Sorry for leaving without telling you. You had finally fallen asleep and I didn't want to disturb you. I'll be back to pick you up for school. And good morning my baby ♡

I smile and leave the note on my dresser before getting out of bed, grabbing a towel and heading to the bathroom.

Mom had just walked out of her room all dressed because she's supposed to go with Jayla to the doctor today. She runs over to me and hugs me. "My baby. Is everything okay? You've been in your room all night." She releases me and holds me at arms length.

"I'm fine Mom." I reassure.

"You know baby? Everything doesn't always have to be okay. Okay is a word lots of people use to cover up their true emotions. But it doesn't mean you always have to be. If you need me or someone to talked to, I'm here baby." She pecks my forehead. It's funny how my Mom and I are the same height. That was a random fact, I know. She smiles. "Oh, and Jace said to make sure that you eat breakfast. He literally bought a whole box of Cornflakes." She chuckles.

I smile. "Thanks Mom. And I will." She heads down the stairs and I jump in the shower.

I changed into the little dress I bought yesterday and some brown strappy sandals, settling on leaving my hair in it's natural curly state. I grab my bag and head down the stairs, finding Jace just fixing two bowls of cereal.

He had on a black shirt, jeans and sneakers. Literally all he wears. His hair glistened so I could tell he had washed it.

I'm not sure whether or not he had seen me but I walk over to him and hug him. Just. Hug. Him.

His body vibrates as he chuckled and sets down the cereal, hugging me back. "Hi my baby," he smiles down at me, hodling my cheeks.

"Hi," I say through smushed cheeks. I lift my body on my tip toes and kiss him. He smiles as he kissed back. I hug him once more and the words slip out from my mouth. "I love you."

Though I barely was even able to hear myself because I said it so low, I could tell he did as he froze, his grip loosening. My heart started beating faster and I was scared that maybe it was too early in our relationship to say things like that and maybe he didn't feel the same way and I ruined our chances of being together.

He squeezed me harder and whispers. "I love you too, Munchkin."

* * * * *
My phone vibrates so much that it's about to fall off the table. I just sit and enjoy my pizza. "Um, Kayla? Are you gonna answer that?" Finn asks.

I shake my head, eating my pizza. "It's probably not important." I already knew who it was. I just wasn't in the mood for bullshit right now.

"Then I'll answer it for you." He stretched his hand across the table and I quickly grab it.

"It's okay. I'll do it." I unlock it and read the message.

Unknown: you've been ignoring me for too long, Kayla

Unknown: you probably don't wanna make me angry

Kayla: and why should I give two fucks?