Save Me. (Matthew Espinosa)

Chapter 12 - Here For You

Matthew's POV

I can't seem to take my eyes off of Mahogany. She just looks so amazing. Her mouth forms a smile as she jokes with Aaron.

"Dude!" Gilinsky snaps me out of my daze.

"Hmm?" My eyebrows raise, eyes trailing over to him.

"Aren't you going to see if Lacey's okay?" My eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"What do you mean? Where'd she go?" I look around for her petite figure.

"Did you seriously just miss that whole thing?" He asks incredulously and I look back at him suspiciously. What the hell is he talking about? What did I miss? I look around once again but this time take note of Taylor sitting on the edge of a chair, head in his hands as though he's guilty. I piece together that he must've had something to do with her sudden departure. I immediately pull myself out of the pool and grab a towel, hurrying towards the hotel worriedly.

He probably upset her. After all, she is delicate. I can't help but feel guilty. I should've been keeping a closer eye on her instead of being so consumed with Mahogany.

Upon entering the hotel, I ponder over where exactly she could've went; she doesn't have a room key and I don't see her anywhere in the lobby. There's only one other place I can see her going to. I stride over to the elevator and click the up button more than once impatiently. After what seems like an eternity, the doors finally open. I step inside and press the button for the top floor. I try to dry my dripping body with the towel as I wait.

The doors glide open smoothly when I reach the right level. I pace down the hallway and see stairs to what I assume is the roof. I proceed up the stairs and push open the door, revealing Lacey a couple feet away, sitting with her back turned towards me, still only wearing shorts and a bikini top.

I take a seat next to her and wrap my slightly damp towel around her, concealing her bare skin so she doesn't feel embarrassed. My arms snake around her small body like they have done before, hands interlocking at her hip. She looks up at me, tears staining her beautiful face.

"Matt?" she croaks out. Her dainty hands move to rest on my arm, squeezing lightly.

"Hey," I smile gently, "I'm here for you." She doesn't look me straight in the eye and I know something is bothering her.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" She licks her lips and eyebrows crumple lightly.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," I reassure. "I just want to know so I can make things better," I explain to her.

She purses her lips. "No, no.. I want to tell you." She finally meets my gaze before she begins speaking. "Do you remember when we met in the hospital?"

"Of course." Our meeting seems so long ago but in reality it really hasn't been that long at all.

"And well, you saw my... my scars.." I feel a frown on my face at the thought of her hurting herself but nod nontheless. I become more concerned as she continues. "Well Taylor wanted me to swim, but I didn't want to take off my shorts because otherwise everybody would have seen them.. That is, if they didn't already see the ones on my wrists." She doesn't make eye contact as she explains, unnerved about the subject. "He kept pushing me to take them off and.. I got overwhelmed and I ran away from him." Guilt strikes me. I knew about the evidence of her self inflicted damage yet I encouraged her to come to the pool anyway. It wasn't on my mind at the time. I didn't think about it and that makes me upset.

I shake my head a little and stand up. She looks up at me, surprised, assuming that I'm leaving. I extend my arm and she looks at me for a moment then places her hand in mine, allowing me to pull her up. Once on her feet, I envelop her in a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry. I should've made sure you were comfortable. I can't believe I wasn't paying closer attention." I apologize, feeling culpable. "But you know what?" I ask, loosening my grip so I can look into her breathtaking, ocean colored eyes. She looks up at me for a response.

"I'm here for you now and I promise that will never happen again." I know that I will not be able to protect her forever. I cannot take care of her as if she is a small child. She'll have to learn to fend for herself eventually. For now though, I'll be here for her and I'll make sure she's safe and happy.

Before I can receive a response, I secure my arm around her and guide her back to the staircase. I lead her down the hallway and we walk down the stairs until we reach the floor our room is on. Walking down another hallway, we find our room and I unlock the door, holding it open for her. She walks inside and sits on the end of one of the beds.

I make my way to our bags and unzip mine. I find two shirts for each of us and a pair of athletic shorts so we can both change out of our swimming suits. I toss Lacey one of the shirts and she attempts to catch it in a frantic and ungraceful manner. I laugh and she blushes, smiling sheepishly. She stands up, and makes her way into the bathroom, and shuts the door behind her. My trunks are removed and I realize that I need underwear. I scurry back to the bags and grab some boxers from mine, and, being the courteous guy I am, reach into Lacey's and grab her some random underwear as well.

I quickly slide mine on and walk towards the bathroom, knocking on the door. She opens it, peeking out her head, and sees the garments in my hand. She reaches out and I place the them in her hand. She pulls them to her, looking down. She giggles and looks back up at me.

"Lace?" She laughs. I just shrug, trying to hide my embarrassment. Of course I happened to choose those ones. Her eyes gleem in amusement before she shuts the door again to change.