He Comes at Night

A Tingle

"You know, I have a license and a car, I could drive myself," Nina stated as her fathers freshly waxed Mercedes pulled along the curb of the school.

Gavin insisted on driving her after her episode Friday night. He had been keeping a close eye on her all weekend, as well as staying in close contact with her doctors.

The medication she was on significantly reduced her sleepiness during the day and helped produce the chemicals in her brain to activate her natural sleep cycle. And it worked, but it also produced the most terrifying nightmare she had in more than a year.

Her father ignored her annoyed tone and turned to her, "You call me if you need me."

She nodded in compliance, not bothering to argue or complain about being treated like a child when her mind floated back to the way he held her without judgement that night.

She loved him, though his tactics were sometimes overbearing.

As she began to exit the car, Gavin grabbed her arm gently, "I'll be in the city late tonight and Abbey has an art show she's hosting so neither one of us can come get you. But I want you to come right home after school. No lattes, no parties, just home," he raised his eyebrows in warning.

"I have practice dad," she reminded him with a small hush.

Gavin sighed and dropped his head, clearly forgetting that today was the start of cheer practice and would go until the off season.

"Fine," he breathed, "But If I don't see that tacky Range Rover on my cameras, in my driveway at 7 sharp, you're not going to leave the house again for a very, very long time. Understood?"

Laughing at his dig at Trish's prized possession, Nina moved to his cheek and kissed it.

"Goodbye father," she said with a drip of sarcasm, before finally getting out of the car.

Cheerleading was something that she loved most about school. She'd been doing it most of her life and got her inspiration from her mom, who even cheered through college. If it wasn't for Nina popping up, she could of went pro, maybe cheering for the NBA or NFL.

So, since Nina was able to walk, she'd been in uniform. Trish was also on the team, but mostly did it for all access to the football players.

All except Carter of course.

Carter.

There he was, sitting on the concrete wall talking to his other jock friends. His windswept hair sat perfectly on top of his head. Nina watched as his strong jaw settled after a few laughs.

He was all hers.

The most wanted guy in school and Chelsea Johnson never let her forget it. Extraordinary football player and superb boyfriend. Their relationship, she admitted, was a bit cliché.

Her being a cheerleader and him being a football player of course.

A wide receiver for the team who had brought the school to state, twice. His picture had been framed near the gymnasium showcase with two massive gold plated trophies to show off for his talents. 

He lived for the sport, just as she did and it bonded them.

As she stared at his beauty, mesmerized by all that was him, her bootie got caught on one of the stairs and she flew forward. Gray concrete steps  inched towards her fragile face in a moment that flashed so quick she knew her skin would take some damage.

Suddenly, she was hurdled up, stopped from the hitting the ground. 

"Careful, we wouldn't want you hurting yourself now would we?" Jax's voice was low, almost as if he wanted only Nina to hear him as his fingers once again gripped her arms.