Beyond Midnight

|16|

Soleil

      Despite my overpowering desire to be with Fray and Elodie, I feel the deep need to return back to the place I despise most. Not because I enjoy living there. Not at all, but my Mom is still stuck there.

      I toss and turn thinking about it, and thinking about Fray. I don't want to leave him. I only just got a translation chip, and there's still so much I want to learn about him.

      I've spent my whole life trapped like a caged animal, put in a bubble and not learning anything about the world, and now I have the chance to learn of a whole other world that's far, far away from here.

     After hours of trying to fall asleep, I realize that I can't. I pull the covers back, running a hand over my face and wishing I didn't have to think about the Group anymore, and that I didn't have to go back to the school. I hate the thought of it. I never want to go back.

     Part of me knows that I need to eventually. I have to face the music, I have to tell them about Fray and his people, and I need to get my Momma back.

     The idea of it puts a rotten pit of anxiety in my stomach. It's tearing me up inside. I've somehow convinced myself that if I end up in those walls again, I'll be forced to marry someone in minutes.

      But the only person I want is down the hall.

      Fray assured me before I went to bed that he was only one door away, and that I could come to him if I needed anything. The only thing I need is him.

       I put my fingertips on my lips, remembering the way his felt against mine. That kiss, it was my first kiss, and I can't imagine that it could get any better than that.

      Even if I haven't known him for long, I feel like we should be together. The bed is so lonely with just me. It's cold and empty and I know that it would be so much cozier if I was in a different bed with a companion.

     Biting my still warm lips, I stand and rush to the door on my bare feet. I stare at the electronic door with confusion, touching the light up pad on the side of the wall. It has a keypad of buttons. I press one, and nothing happens, and then another and it still stays put. I sigh. I decide to try each one until it finally slides open.

     I force myself into the cold hallway once I'm free, and I find myself stopped in front of Fray's door in a moment's time.

     In my head I come up with several reasons why I should not be here. I shiver, and I run my hands up and down my arms to create some friction.

     I don't know if he wants me here or not. Oh well, it's too late to turn back now. I probably wouldn't be able to figure out how to get back in my room.

     Raising my hand, I timidly knock on the metal material door. I wait, becoming more unsure as the seconds tick by.

      I don't have too much time to overthink, because the door opens to reveal an alert looking alien man. I stumble back at Fray's massive height. I'm not afraid of him, I could never be scared around him, but his extreme size is something I need to get used to.

     And his naked chest is another thing. That's new.

     "What is it, Soleil? Are you injured? What happened?" He reaches for my shoulders, his big hands gripping me as he scours my body for any signs of trauma.

     I stare at his muscled chest that's exposed to the air. I haven't seen Fray without clothes on before. His pecs sit right above my head, his six pack looking me right in the eyes. I peek up at his worried face as he continues to hold me in a steel grip.