Save Me From Myself

Your Truth

  He jumps slightly at his name. Bringing him out of his head. Slowly he looks up at me from over his shoulder. For the first time, a small delicate smile took the place of a smirk. It was honest and open.

  "Yeah, sure. What do you wanna talk about? There's no reservation in his voice. No attitude. Just acceptance and possibly some curiosity?

  "Well during my story, you didn't really say much. I was wondering why?" I ask shyly, looking down at my feet.

  I can hear him shuffling, stepping closer. Then his hand softly touches my cheek. I look up at him through my lashes. He wasnt looking at me but through me. Down to my core it felt like. But his gaze was so gentle, for once I wasn't uncomfortable with the closeness of another person.

  The pad of his thumb softly brushes over the top of my cheek. Instinctively I lean into his touch and close me eyes. I open them again when he begins to speak.

  "I was so wrong about you." He says it as if the words were a secret, a whisper only meant for the air.

  "It's been a week since I met you. But already I feel a strong urge to protect you." He laughs a little at himself. Confused by his own feelings.

  "Of all the girls that have come in and out of this room, you are becoming the most special." He still wasn't looking at my eyes instead his gaze was on his hand, the one that now sat against the side of my neck.

  When he brushed some hair away from the back of my neck, it felt like electricity had shot down my spine. Causing me to jump a little. Causing him to pull away.

  Sighing he says "I didn't say much because I was surprised. I didn't expect to have you around longer than a few days. Let alone for all my assumptions to be dead wrong. And even more for me to actually want to keep you by my side. To keep you safe." The last part a whisper.

  He wasn't walking away or stepping out of my space. He just wasn't touching me. Now he turns his gaze to my eyes and the look in his meant business. But they aren't aggressive, more like determined.

  "Dani. If you'd let me, I'd like to show you that you can trust people again.-" those words sting "-I know Finn cares for you too. I also know he's the only one you've fully let in." He wasn't wrong.

  "But if you'd let me. I'd like that too. To show you that people can truly care about you-" and then in a vulnerable voice "-will you let me be your friend?"

  He may be a player with the ladies and an insufferable jerk at times. But under all that I was beginning to realize, was a kind, protective, caring person. With a huge heart.

  I move for the first time since the conversation began and its to wrap my arms around him. Stunning him. I hugged him so tightly and cried for what felt like the billionth time that night. These were different tears though. These were foreign to me. These were tears of joy.

  After the initial shock wore off, he wrapped his arms around me, putting his face into the crook of my neck and shoulder. I could have sworn I felt a dampness there.

  We stayed hugging for a little while longer. Then he said it was probably best to get some sleep since it was so late. Walking away towards his bed.

  Sleep. Nightmares. I was exhausted but I didn't want to sleep right now. I didn't want to be thrown back into a world out of my control. I was terrified.

  My body began to tremble at the idea of seeing Dylans face again. Even in my dreams I couldn't escape him. Anxiety was taking over. My breathing became labored and my heart rate spiking.

  Taylor was pulling up the blankets on his bed, when he noticed I still hadn't moved.

  "Dani? Hey are you alright?" Voice dripping with concern.

  He notices my body shaking and my uneven breathing. In one smooth movement I was being held. I was shocked out of my thoughts by being lifted off the ground. When I looked up at him, Taylor smiled.

  "What are you doing?" I questioned

  "You were starting to have an anxiety attack at the thought of going to sleep. I assumed you were afraid of having more nightmares. So I decided to have you sleep next to me." Then he was setting me on top of his mattress and shutting off his light.

  "This bed is so small, you'll be uncomfortable if you share with me." I object while trying to get up. Two hands on my shoulders stop me.

  "Dani-" voice stern "-let me help you. Right now this is all I can do for you." His eyes pleading with me.

  I was to tired to fight and he seemed to genuinely want to help. So I nodded my head, scooted over and shimmied down into his covers. They smelt like him. It was washing a wave of calmness over my senses.

  He climbed into the bed. But I noticed he was still wearing a shirt. He always slept without one.

  "Why are you wearing your shirt?" asking the question like it was perfectly normal.

  His eyes widened "oh um. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable." He looked shy saying this. It was cute.

  The sentiment made my heart ache. Could I really put my trust in him. In them. Then he spoke again..

  "If you want to cuddle I'm fine with it. If you don't, that's also perfectly ok. Regardless if you have another nightmare, I'll be right here. You don't have to worry." His smile soft and sleepy.

  My heart decided for me; I'd trust in him.

  "Um could we cuddle? I think it will help me feel more secure." I asked bashfully.

  He just nodded. Layed on his back and then pulled me onto his chest. Resting his arm delicately around my back. I snuggled my head into the space between his jaw and shoulder. The rise and fall of his chest lulling me to sleep.

  The last thing I felt before exhaustion consumed me was a gentle kiss to the top of my head.