❝ It's hard to dream when you can't sleep and reality is a nightmare. ❞
Kaylee Thompson lost the ability to sleep the moment her twin sister died in a car crash. As their mother spirals deeper into grief and Kaylee's own grip on reality begins to sh...
"You're insane if you think I'm going with you," I scoffed, getting up to my feet. The look on his face faltered. "We just met and besides, where would we go? This town is as small as it could get."
Rowan crossed his arms over his chest and leveled my incredulous stare with one of his own. His voice was quiet. "Don't lie, Kaylee. We both know how much you want to leave this place."
My breath caught in my throat. "I can't go with you. My parents have no idea I left and they would be worried."
Of Kaitlyn, my mind reminded me. Not you. They don't care.
His eyes softened as if he heard my thoughts. "It'll only be for a short while and it's entirely your choice if you want to come. But it might help... with whatever you're going through."
I shifted from one foot to another and my cheeks felt hot despite the cool weather. "Fine, but I leave at sunrise."
"That's more than enough." His lips curved into a broad smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. With the light hitting his face, the dimple I didn't realize he had was visible on his right cheek.
And I stood there, wishing he knew what a difference he just made.
* * *
A comfortable silence descended between us as he walked a few steps ahead of me and led the way.
The pebbles crunched under his boots as he strode across the streets. His movements were swift and powerful, matching the strong aroma of coffee that wafted toward us from a nearby café.
It was astounding how people could keep their facades on and act like they were alright...
But I supposed I should know that better than anyone.
"We're here." Rowan's voice broke my train of thought. He suddenly stopped walking and I almost hit his back, only he didn't seem to notice.
I blew out a breath and looked around at where he had brought me. Old, shabby buildings surrounded us, the air still and quiet if it wasn't for a tall woman who was talking away on her phone.
She briskly walked past us, her gaze glazing over my figure before she disappeared around the corner. Her voice faded away, leaving the leaves ruffling in the breeze.
"Come on." Rowan's eager voice echoed into the night. I trudged on and followed his shadow, tugging the sleeves of my sweatshirt further on my wrist. I set my foot on the first step of stairs and paused.
"Where are we going again?"
"The rooftop," he answered, waiting for me to catch up. I raised an eyebrow at him and forced my legs to climb faster until I was on the same floor as him.
My thighs burned, but the sensation only made me grin. I had been slacking all summer break and it felt good to be back.
"Race you to the top," I told Rowan in one breath before pushing myself harder, taking two steps at the same time. Adrenaline surged through my veins, the thumping of my heart drowning his laughter that boomed throughout the dim stairway.
His swift footsteps pounded behind me, getting louder and louder with every second.
He's good, I'll give him that.
I tugged the short strands of hair that flew to my face but didn't look back. And before I knew it, I was pushing the thick metal doors open and stumbling into the large flat space of the rooftop.
The cool breeze slammed into my face as I crouched down to my knees. I tilted my head upwards, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves. My legs felt like they would give out any moment, but it didn't stop me from smiling in triumph.
I looked over my shoulder just as Rowan emerged from the door, and his throaty chuckle reached my ears.
"You're fast."
I grinned at his disheveled appearance, knowing I looked the same. "Or maybe you're just slow," I replied.
Rowan snickered as he walked over to me, his eyes leaving my face to look far beyond. He sat down on the edge of the concrete floor and gestured for me to do the same.
I didn't object and took a seat beside him, crossing my bare legs and stretching down the rest of my sweatshirt. A gust of wind blew into our direction and tossed the thin strands of my hair into my face, but I let it be.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" His tone was soft but the wonder in his voice spoke volumes.
I could only nod in agreement as I stared ahead, where the golden rays of the early sun peeked over the horizon and brought light to the darkness that once wrapped around us. I let my eyes wander to every aspect of the sky: To all shades of black that reflected the sorrow in my heart, and the yellows that made my chest tighten.
A tear rolled down my cheek before I could control it, and I quickly swiped it away with my finger.
"You okay?" I felt Rowan shift beside me.
"Y-Yeah," I sniffled and looked away, hugging my legs closer to my chest.
He fell silent, and I took the chance to speak. "I-It's just that all of this-" I made a sweeping gesture around the both of us like it could easily define what I was talking about. "-is too good to be true. And the view... It's really making me emotional."
The faint laugh that left his lips already told me how much he knew about it. "Meeting you, is what," he muttered.
I looked at him and crossed my legs together. "Huh?"
He hummed a tune I didn't recognize. "It's too good to be true, being here with you and all."
My lips tugged upwards. "Yeah?"
"Don't make me say it again." His faint laugh echoed in the morning breeze just as something stirred in my stomach, and I knew better than to mistake it as hunger.
Subconsciously tapping my fingers on my leg, I stole a glance at Rowan and studied the calm look on his face as he stared off into the wonders of the sky. And at that moment, I wished I knew what was going on in that mind of his.
Because there was a hurricane in mine, and it wouldn't be long before it was set free.
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