Him & I

- CHAPTER 15 -

- S H O P P I N G -
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Olivia
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- Sunday, 2am -

I sat up in bed, tears streaming down my cheeks, heavy sobs shaking my whole body. Noodle leapt up, pawing at my arm and whining. I gently picked her up, cradling her close to my body and burying my nose in her soft ears. I wanted so desperately to go to Hamish's room but Talulah was here; the reason why I had the nightmare in the first place. She convinced Hamish not to put me to bed again. Ugh.

I'd calmed down thankfully, all thanks to Noodle, but there was no way I could have gone back to bed. I went to my cupboard, Noodle following right on my heel, and picked out one of my hoodies.

I crept down the stairs, the only sound coming from Noodle, who was licking my cheek as I carried her.

I went to open the door and turned the key, slipping out of the house unnoticed. I took a seat just outside, where the steps leading up to the door were, and placed Noodle next to me. She curled up next to me and I just sat and stared at the ground.

I don't know for how long I was there but I heard the latch click behind me and I whipped round to see a very confused and worried older brother. Noodle bounded over to him and he scooped her up in his arms before sitting down next to me. He slid an arm around my waist and lifted me into his lap, Noodle then climbed into mine.

"Sweetpea, what's wrong?" He murmured, his grip on me slightly tightening.

"I had a nightmare." I whispered out into the night.

I heard him sigh deeply before resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Why didn't you come and get me, Ollie?" His voice was heavy with both sleep and emotion.

"I didn't want to wake you up." I stated, standing up and heading for the door.

I tried to get away but Hamish reached out, grabbing my hand.

"The real reason, Olivia - you know I don't mind." He was staring at me with intense eyes.

"I didn't want Talulah to know about my nightmares." I muttered, looking at my feet.

I mean, that was partly true.

Sympathy flooded over his face and a look of determination replaced it shortly after. Collecting me under one arm and Noodle under the other, he went back inside, closing the door with his foot and walking directly up the stairs.

I thought he was going to take me into his room but he instead turned left at the top of the staircase and went to my room.

He placed Noodle down on her little dog bed at the foot of my bed, before clambering in, pulling me with him.

"I don't ever want you to feel that you can't come to me. Do you understand, Olivia? It's very important that you do. I'll always be here for you, Sweetpea." He told me, his voice strong and assertive.

"I understand - love you, Ham." I softly replied, snuggling into his warm chest.

"Good, I love you too. Night night."

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I woke up the next morning, realising that Hamish must have already gotten up as I could smell bacon cooking downstairs.

Quickly getting dressed, I rushed downstairs to let Noodle into the garden to do her business before I moved across to the island, sliding onto my special stool, which, luckily, Talulah wasn't sitting on.