Guardian Angel \\ l.h.\\ Luke Hemmings

Chapter Four: Sleep

By the time we reached my neighborhood, the rain had thinned into a mere drizzle.

The shower had left a shadow of gloom that loomed over my neighborhood. Silence dictated the area and the only sound to be heard for miles around was coming from my boisterous boots and a once in a while statement from Luke which eventually created even more stillness between us.

My clothes were the upmost damp which didn't aid my dropping body temperature. My long hair was tangled and mascara rivers discolored my cheeks. The lack of my appearance was a paramount to Luke's, whose blonde quiff remained styled, whose clothes were unharmed, and whose smile was not affected by my poor attitude.

By all means, I wasn't trying to be rude to him. In fact, one of my major pet peeves is indecency.

Yet at the same time, due to  the tsunami of the horrific events, otherwise known as my life, this has lead to believe that in this very moment I was mentally unstable. That I was having a simple delusion and that all would be well once I went to into a rejuvenating slumber.

This boy was simply a figment of my disorderly imagination.

Out of nowhere, he chuckled, snapping me out of my overwhelmed thoughts, when I have made no effort to crack any joke much less say one word to him.

"Cayden I'm not a 'figment of your disorderly imagination' nor are you going insane, at least not yet." He laughed once again. If I wasn't entranced with shock, I would have thought that his laugh put Beethoven's symphony 5 to humiliation.

"You can read my mind?" I asked, flabbergasted and slightly embarrassed since my thoughts about him weren't the kindest.

"Of course, I can. Well only if I want to and since you refuse to make conversation with me, I might as well try to understand what you are thinking." He states as if it no big deal that he has access to the one place were I could keep all my hidden secrets and innermost thoughts.

"Thank you."I sarcastically said, slightly irritated at the invasion of privacy.

"Anytime sweetheart."  He whole heartedly smiles which makes envy grow in me. I used to smile like that and now I'm almost positive that I'll never be able to again, too much has changed for me.

When we finally reach my step mother's house the outside lights were unsurprisingly off.

As I padded up the steps I noticed Luke wasn't near me. I looked over my shoulder to see him standing in the drive way still.

"Aren't you coming in?" I hissed, since he was a fabrication of my mind it would only be logical that no one else would be able to see him but me.

He shook his head, "I'll be waiting in your room. And how many times do I have to tell you I'm real?" I rolled my eyes and not a second later, Luke had vanished from my sight.

I shook my head in dismay, maybe a sleeping pill or two would do justice tonight.

I quietly entered the house, thankful that a bare  living room greeted me. The only sign of life was the savory smell that traveled from kitchen, where my step mother was of course.

Although my conscious was warning me not to even adventure near, the greed of hunger controlled my actions. Before I knew it, I was inside the small white kitchen observing my step mother consuming the carbs and reading a magazine.

She looked up at me in a distasteful way, but joke was on her, I was use to it by now. Once again, my feet forced me near the pan full of flavor but what stopped me from devouring any was the instant rude comment, "You're really going to eat pasta? It will go to your thighs and God knows you don't need anymore of that."

My fork instantly dropped to the floor and I ran, leaving the bowl I had reached for to spin on the counter, as I raced out of the room.

I was so sick of her critic, of her.

Everything I did was never enough and she never hesitated to point out my mistakes or flaws. To her, I was just a punching bag that just stood there to absorb all her negativity. In truth I was, I never had the lion'a courage to stand up for myself, I just fled like the sheep all the time.

I slammed the door resulting in Luke to turn around. If I wasn't in my miserable state I would have scolded him from looking at my photos but right now I could care less.

"What happened?" Luke asked but I could tell he already knew the answer.

"Nothing." I wiped my eyes, I refused to cry especially in front of him again.

I shook my head to stop any tears and blindly walked past him to grab my pajamas for the night.

When I stood up from my bottom drawer, Luke was directly in front of me. Without words, he engulfed me in his arms which edged me to break the dam I weakly built.

"I'm so sick of this." I whispered loud enough for only him to hear.

"I know, I know you are. Let me help." He pleaded, running his hands up and down my back, sending me chills I've never felt before.

But my mind only focused in on his plea. I'm stubborn; I never wanted help and certainly this time wasn't different.

I shook my head and let go but he kept me near him.

"I don't need anything or anyone, I'm okay. I can do this on my own." I tell him pushing him away, his touch was threatening.

He tried to refute back, "But you-"

"I'm okay." I repeated and lamely added to try to lighten the mood, "Plus you're not real remember? You will be gone by morning."

He smiled at me, one that reminisced the pity ones I received at my father's funeral.

I walked past him to the bathroom near my room. Opening, the medicine cabinet I attempted  to find any sleeping drugs, they were surely to be useful tonight.

Before I could reach for the subscription I desired, Luke's hand shut the small door.

I turned around, giving him a questioning look. "What was are you doing. I needed those pills if I wanted any chance of falling asleep." I can't even remember the last time I was to fall into the blissful state of unconsciousness.

"I understand your lack of sleep. But those haven't been helping you at all. Trust me, just try for this night without them." I don't believe him, but his eyes hold every ounce of truth he believes in.

Even though I had the urge to fight him back, I wordlessly obliged to his suggestion.

I'm tired, I just want to go bed and stay there.

He guides me back to my room where I tucked myself into the thin linen sheets.

Surprisingly the bed shifted next to me as Luke himself settled onto the mattress.

For some reason, I thought he would disappear or maybe, possibly sleep on the floor.

He chuckled, "I already told you, I can't leave you even if I wanted to. And I refuse to sleep on the floor, do you know are uncomfortable or cold that would be?"

He turned and eventually I felt his arms wrap around my waist as his body nudged closer to mine. I didn't fight back, this somehow felt right.

"Night Cayden." He whispered.

"Good night Luke." I yawn.

And for the first time in ages, I was able to slip into a peaceful slumber.