Elijah
"Ellie."
"Hmmmm."
"Ellie."
"Hmmmmmmm."
"Ell-"
"What? Yes? What is it? What's wrong?" My eye lids fluttered open and I sleepily made eye contact with Noah who was sitting on the edge of the bed. His bed. I was still at his house.
What time is it? How long have I been here?
The corners of his lips turned up as his eyes ran over the franticness of my face. "It's two o'clock."
"Two o'clock?!" I felt the panic rising. My eyes darted around his lifeless room as I began to unravel myself from the bed sheets. "Two in the afternoon?! As in it's not even Monday anymore?! I have to go. I have to get Kayson. Oh gosh... How could I have been so careless?! Theodora's probably cursing my name--"
"Ellie."
"The day is practically over. I've missed a whole day of school--"
"Ellie."
"How did I sleep for so long? Why did you let me sleep for so long? I'm usually not this careless. I need to be more responsible--"
I came to a complete stop as I felt Noah's fingers gently grasp my wrist. In one swift movement I was standing between his legs staring into his forest green irises. "Breathe."
Somehow that's all it took, I inhaled then exhaled deeply, allowing the panic in me to slowly dissolve.
"I took Kayson to school this morning. I told Theodora you weren't feeling good. I emailed most of your teachers and got your work. And your dad will be out of your hair, at least for the next few weeks, we'll figure out something more permanent in the meantime. So relax."
"Noah.." I mumbled in disbelief. I didn't know what to say. I'm not use to someone helping me like this, especially someone like Noah. I would have never guessed Noah of all people would be willing to help me in such a away. Maybe my period is to blame but I broke, gentle tears sliding hopelessly down my cheeks. "Thank you." I muttered wholeheartedly into his chest as he stood up and pulled me into his warm body.
"Anytime baby, don't cry."
"I'm sorry I just..I really appreciate you doing that for me because you didn't have to and I haven't had help like this in I don't know how long and it really means a lot to me, I honestly can't thank you enough--."
"Ellie." His deep voice filled my messy head causing a cease of havoc. "Breathe baby. I got you."
~~~
"Do you trust him?" Kayson's adorably brown eyes stared at me through the rearview mirror. It amazes me how protective he's grown to be.
I picked him up from school and I already had my work uniform on, so we could just go somewhere and eat before I took him to the YMCA and went to work.
I tell Kayson everything for the most part. That's the way our relationship works. Honesty ensures a bond of trust and since I'm all he has, I have to make sure he trusts me. Therefore, I had to explain why I abandoned him at the Anderson's yesterday. I had to explain who the strange man who took him to school this morning was. And more importantly I had to apologize for not being there for him as I promise I always would.
"I do. He helped me out a lot today but I don't expect you to get to know him until you're ready."
He paused in thought for a moment, looking out the window. "He's looks...mean."
