Scales (A *Tail* starring One Direction, like no other)

Chapter 6 ~ The Cuts

Chapter 6 

"Ahh..." I mumble, slowly resurfacing from my slumber. My sleep was peaceful, blissful even. There were no nightmares, nothing.

Where am I again?

I blink a few times and realise I'm in the lounge, vaguely remembering falling asleep on the sofa in the early hours of the morning.

With my senses all back, I feel something wrapped around my stomach, upon looking down I see Liam's arm.

I completely forgot he was sleeping next to me! This is what happens when I go to bed at such unnatural hours, I get temporary 'How did I end up here' memory loss.

So I gingerly turn around, trying not to disturb him. I don't really know if I want to walk him up. Wait, I don't even know if I want him to be completely aware that I slept on the couch with him last night, what if that totally overstepped the mark?!

I pause and glance up at his face—is it just me or do people look ten years younger when they are asleep?—suddenly seeing the young boy who used to win sand castle contests with me in primary school. Times were simpler back then, fast forward to last night, and they were as hectic as ever. It's comforting to know that as the world has changed around us, Liam and I have remained close, a worn rock that won't break despite the ever changing tides.

As I reminisce I continue to stare at him, it really does feel like only last week we were ten and the only thing on our mind was our new toy, buying lollies at the corner store, or learning to surf.

I cautiously reach out and trace my finger lightly over the palm of his hand, it feels rough from spending days out in the ocean, just like mine. It's comforting though, so I get drowsy again and begin to trace patterns thoughtlessly on his arm. A short while later I feel like I'm being watched.

My eyes flicker upward and I catch Liam with his eyes open.

"Sorry! I thought you were asleep." I mumble.

"Well I was, until I thought a bug was crawling up my arm." He chuckles softly.

"How was your sleep?" I ask, stretching out a bit. "You didn't really make it into the spare bedroom..."

"Well neither did you." He replies. "And my sleep was fine. But why did you end up sleeping on the sofa?"

I scramble for a believable reply.

"Cause I couldn't be bothered making my bed this morning, plus I was too tired to walk anywhere."

"Of course." He replies sarcastically.

I look away from him, feeling my cheeks flush.

"Uh, would you like some breakfast?" I ask, breaking the silence.

"Sure, whatever you're having."

I pull myself up off the sofa and shield my eyes from the sun blazing through the window.

"Uggh." I groan as I stumble into the kitchen, willing my eyes to adjust properly to the morning light. I stretch my arms out and rub my neck to try and get out the kinks from sleeping in such a weird place last night.

Then I flick the jug on and make two instant coffee's and search through the cupboards to try and find something edible.

Eventually I decide on toast and grab out some bread and different spreads. After all Liam did for me last night, I think he deserves having his breakfast made for him.

"Breakfast is served!" I announce as I carry the food into the lounge on a tray and place it down on the coffee table.

Liam grabs a slice of toast and smiles, "Thanks, looks good."