Annalise Starke had known her mother was going to die eventually; she just hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
At fifteen she had moved with her mother back to her home country of Australia with half a heart (metaphorically, of course) and her mo...
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There was movement beside me. Warm skin on mine.
It's too early for this shit.
I did my best to relax again, waiting for sleep to overtake me. But right before I drifted back into oblivion, I felt it. That slight, almost ginger movement.
Wait—
Warm skin on mine.
I opened my eyes. It took a moment for them to adjust to the muted sunlight filtering into the room from the uncovered windows that were too high for any of us to reach safely.
The first thing I saw was the TV, it was soundless, though static blinked intently on the screen. I forced my eyes away, the sight giving me the beginnings of a headache. Across the room,
The first thing I saw was Ryan, asleep and bundled up in the recliner closest to the corner, and then Breck, who was sprawled out on the pallet on the floor. The TV was soundless, though static blinked intently on the screen. I forced my eyes away, the sight giving me the beginnings of a headache. My line of sight drifted down to Sylvie, who was using the arm of the couch as a pillow, and...
Annalise was using me as a pillow.
Though I wasn't innocent in this, either. My arms were wrapped tightly around her, cocooning her to my chest. I remembered her falling asleep during Willow, but most of the movie was blurry for me, too.
The weight of her on my chest was comforting, like a blanket, and I found myself leaning into it. After a deep breath and some consideration, I let my eyes fall shut again. Surely I got could get in just a bit more sleep before—
I felt another movement.
I didn't have time to react before soft hands traced my features. The tips barely grazing my jaw, then my cheekbones, my nose...her touch was oddly comforting, and I nearly found myself leaning into it.
"Having fun, teacup?" She froze.
I opened my eyes to see Annalise's cheeks flushed and beet red. Those ocean eyes so wide, and awake, despite the early hour.
She was this close to hiding her face in her hands.
Thankfully, my stomach chose that moment to make its appearance. It grumbled audibly as the uncomfortable feeling hit me. We hadn't had much of a dinner last night, just snacks really, and I could feel my stomach eating itself.
Annalise cracked a smile. "You hungry?" She asked, filling the silence, and changing the subject.
I cocked a brow. "Not at all—that was just my new ringtone." The words just slipped out. I hadn't realized I'd made a joke until she chuckled. "Yes," I supplied quickly. "I'm starving."
