No Filter

Chapter LXIV (64)

I groan a little, hearing someone panting. They were moving around on the bed. I turn to my side and open my eyes barely. The room was dark except for the stream of light that escaped through the windows.

I rub my eyes, taking a clear look at who was crying out. It was Ally, sitting with her knees close to her chest. My eyes adjust to the darkness and saw her eyes open. Fear was painted on her face. She looked around, shielding herself with the sheets.

I prop my hands off the couch and rush to her side. I hold her arm, and she flinches, shrieking. She swats my hand off of her and cries in her sheets.

"Ally, what's wrong?" I ask her, but she didn't seem to hear me.

I dart my eyes to the light switch on the wall and run over and flip it on. I walk over to her and rest my hand on her back. I rub circles and softly spoke, "Hey."

She pauses and shifts her eyes on me. Tears stream down her cheeks. I touch her cheeks and wipe each tear with my thumbs. "What's the matter?" I ask.

She brings one of her hand and holds one of my wrist. She looks at me and smiles. "Nothing," she says. "You're here now."

"Yeah," I reply. "Now, how about we get some rest? You're checking out tomorrow, and you need rest. I'll turn off the lights.

She shakes her and holds onto my arms. "No, no," she says. "Don't."

I crease my brows, wondering what was wrong. I look at the lights and then back on her and realized it. "It's the dark, isn't it?" She didn't reply. Her cheeks redden. Embarrassment now replaced her fear. I came close and wrap my arms around her. "It's alright. I won't turn off the lights."

"Thank you," she said. "I'm sorry, but I just woke up, and I saw nothing but the dark. That brought me back to when I was locked in the bunker." She breathes heavily as her voice cracks, "I was cold. I was hungry. I heard bugs and mice crawling everywhere. I just..." she trails off sobbing into my chest. My eyes puff, and I sniff the air.

"I understand," I respond. "Do you just want to talk for a while."

She nods her head and pushes herself off of me. I sit back in my seat. She lays back down and covers herself with the sheets. I can finally address her about the thing that's been on my mind. "So, before you passed out, you told me that you loved me." Her cheeks redden more as she blushed a little. "Is it true?"

She nods her head. "Yes, it's true. I don't regret telling you that. You made me happier than I thought I could be when I met you again, and I can't thank you enough for coming to my rescue. I love you. Did you mean it back?"

"I meant it since the day that you left me. When I told you 'I love you' all those years ago, I really did mean it more than just a friend. I realized that I was never going to find nobody else like you. You are special. You became such a short-tempered guy because your life flipped upside down. You stayed strong, though. For you son. And I love you even more for that." I wet my lips and smile.

I sigh and hold her hand firmly. "Okay, it's been a while since I properly ask someone, but Allyson Brooke Hernandez, will you go on a date with me? You know, after you're out and ready."

She clenches her jaw as she nods her head. "Yes, I would be more than happy to go out with you."

My smile turns into a grin. I lean forward and kiss her lips. She cups my cheeks lightly, and I grab her arms. I tasted her lips and found myself melting in them. She lets out a pleasurable moan, and I chuckle. She holds my cheeks for a moment before we pull apart for air. Our lips connect shortly into small pecks.

She seals her lips and smiles. "I think we should get a good rest now."

"You sure?" I ask.

"Now that I have you, I'm fine, and just dimmed the lights," she says.

I nod my head. I stand up and walk to the light switch. I flip some of the lights off and sit back beside the bed. I lean back against the wall and hold her hand and tell her, "Good night."

She replies, "Sweet dreams."

I close my eyes and let my mind drift off.
—
The next day, Ally packed up from hospital. I stood beside the bathroom door, reading a text message from Zayn.

We'll be there in five.

I reply, okay.

I turn off my phone and slip it in my pocket. I turn around and see Ally sitting on the bed, looking upset. I walk to her and ask, "Are you okay?"

She shifts her eyes on me and blinks, snapping out of her trance. She bats her eyes and puts on a smile. "Yeah. I am totally fine. It's just..." she begins to fidget with her fingers. "...I'm scared when Jade might finds out... We're friends, and I can't love the person she likes."

I sigh heavily and take a seat beside her. I hold the back of her hand and intertwine our fingers. "You can. You're just scared that Jade might hate you. And if she does, that is her problem. Not yours."

She sarcastically rebuttals, "Oh, great."

I chuckle and explain, "Listen, it took us a while for us to get to here. We can't let anything intervene anymore." She nods her head, hesitantly. "Are you having second thoughts?"

She shakes her head immediately, reassuring me. I let out a small breath of relief. "No," she says. "I guess you're right. I shouldn't worry about her. If she is my friend, she'll understand."

"Right," I said. "Now, we have to get going. Zayn will be here shortly."

I hold onto her bag and let out my elbow. She wraps her arm around it, and we stood up. We walk out, ride down the elevator, and walk through the lobby. A car parks in front, and I see Zayn through the window. I lead Ally to the car. I help her settle down in the back and set the bag down by her feet. I join her and close the door behind me. We seatbelt, and Zayn drives off.

Less than twenty minutes, we arrive to the house. I hold onto the bag and hold my free hand out for Ally. She takes it and steps out of the car. She removes a lock of hair out of her face as the wind blows. She shivers a little, and I give her a sympathetic look.

I offer my elbow, but this time, Ally refuses. "No, I think I can walk myself now," she says.

I nod my head and let her do her. The three of us walk up the stairs to the front porch. We stood in front of the door, and Zayn knocks. A couple seconds of silence passes by before Normani opens the door, greeting us, "Hi, welcome."

"Hi, Mani," Ally greets.

Normani steps aside. Zayn enters, then Ally, and finally me. Normani shuts the door behind us. I look around and see the living room and the dining room cleaner than usual.

"Sorry if you don't mind, but we did a little bit of cleaning," Normani explains.

"It's alright," I said. "I appreciate it."

Suddenly, I hear footsteps from upstairs tapping one after another. I look up and see my boy, Bear, running down the stairs. He had a big smile on. He runs all the way to Ally and wraps his hands around her waist, given his height. His impact pushes Ally back a little, and she chuckles, running her fingers through his hair. "Hello, there," she says.

"You're finally home, Ms. Hernandez," he says. "I've got a surprise for you." He grabs her arm and drags her up the stairs. Ally looks at me, giving me a playful terrified look. I chuckle a little and give her an 'okay' sign.

I follow them shortly, and Bear leads us to his room. He made Ally sit on his bed while he goes to his drawer and opens it. He digs through his treasures, and finds a box of candy, but not just any: dark chocolate truffles, Ally's favorite. I remember when we were younger, Ally had an obsession of it during our middle school years.

"For you," he says, handing her the box.

Ally coos and accepts the candy bar. "Thank you so much." She opens up her arms, and Bear hugs her back. She hugs him back.

I watch the most important people in my life right now, and I couldn't help but feel like I am in paradise.