"Why does he keep doing this?!" I punched my fists against the bed.

I wanted to get up and look for Madeline, but I was scared that when I entered the hall, I would see him there, lurking in the dark.

As I grabbed the comforter, I covered myself up to the tip of my nose. I bore my face into Madeline's pillow and caught the scent of her vanilla perfume.

It made me calm down so unbelievably fast that I closed my eyes and let myself go to sleep. Somewhat during the night, cold fingers crawled onto my stomach, and I was happy to know they weren't the Grim Reaper's; however, I wasn't quite sure why they were Madeline's.

I rolled to the other side, unable to see her face. She kept her hand around my stomach.

"You had a nightmare. I tried to calm you down." She whispered.

"Where were you before?" I wondered, dodging the whole topic of her hand touching my stomach.

"Oh, sorry. You looked asleep, so I went outside for a smoke." She withdrew her hand. The smell of cigarettes hit my face as she spoke.

I wrapped my hand around her shoulder, boring my face into her chest. A tear slowly began to run down my cheek. I've been holding everything inside for too long. Like a balloon that was on the verge of bursting. Death sudden visit scared me, that I almost shit myself.

She neither questioned my actions nor uttered a word. She understood that I didn't want to be questioned. I only needed her comfortable arms.

Grandma always comforted me when I came home from school, and the kids bullied me or said insulting things. But she never offered her arms to me.

Her soft hands were rubbing my back slowly. I almost fell asleep. I could smell all kinds of flavors emanating from her body. From the smoke to a strawberry shower gel, she cleaned her body before we went to bed.

Her hair was tickling my face slightly. I smiled. Why do I have a feeling that this is not usually happening at sleepovers? Despite that, I didn't want to move away from her. I didn't want her hands to stop rubbing my back.

I hate what I'm feeling deep inside, I thought.

• • •

A warmth surrounded me from each side of my body. It was like lying before the fireplace. Except you couldn't hear the wood cracking.

My hand emerged from under the comforter. And as I thought, I was hidden deep inside the covers; that's why I felt the warmth. I pushed the comforter away from my face and turned to the right to see Madeline still sleeping.

She wore an oversized gray T-shirt and only panties. I guess she wasn't joking when she said she doesn't wear sweatpants to sleep.

Her body was perfect from every angle. No flaws could be seen. It was almost like she was created by an angel.

I stretched toward her face, supporting my body with my elbows. My hand hovered above her nose. I had the urge to gently drag my finger across it.

And my intrusive thoughts won.

I placed my index finger at the bridge of her nose and leisurely dragged it until I reached the tip.

Her eyes shot open, and a tight grab of her hand on my wrist startled me. Her brows arched, and her eyes popped out of her skull.

It took her a couple of seconds before she released the strength of her fingers around my wrist. Her brows softened, and her eyes blinked repeatedly.

I withdrew my hand, caressing my wrist as it slightly hurts.

"Pardon me. I just got startled." Madeline said, and she got up from the bed, putting on some random hoodie that hung on the chair.

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Of course, I messed up again. Touching someone without their consent? What was going through my mind? I hate myself.

Madeline didn't look my way. She just exited the room into another one.

I got up from the bed after a few seconds of scolding myself inside my head. I headed to the living room, where I had left my bag, but as I wanted to turn around and leave the room, Madeline's hands locked around my stomach.

Her head rested on my back. It evoked mixed feelings within me.

"I'm not used to someone touching me. I behaved badly. I hope you can forgive me." Madeline whispered.

She moved away, turning me to face her. She focused her gaze on my hurtful wrist and slowly drew it closer to her eyes. I had no bruise left, just the tingling feeling where her fingers bore into my skin.

"I think I should go home." I suddenly spoke, "And it's not because of what happened. I just think it's best not to leave my grandma completely alone. But I'm thankful you let me stay." I smiled forcefully.

Her facial expression didn't indicate any sort of sadness or angriness, and I didn't know if that was a bad thing or not.

I changed into my slack black pants and crew neck sweater, which looked like it was drowning in a pool of blood.

Madeline didn't try to stop me from leaving. But I think she knew it was best to leave and not stay for another night.

On my way home, I couldn't figure out if what happened was something normal or not. I, as well, am not used to being touched, but to grab someone so harshly was too great of a reaction.

I shook the thoughts out of my head and focused on the house ahead of me, which was my home. The front door was open wildly.

I suddenly felt like I had a fire near my ass because I sprinted inside. I checked the living room first. No one was there. Then I checked the room opposite the living room, which is Grandma's room.

I yanked the door, quickly breathing, and saw Grandma lying down on her bed and the mysterious man I saved a few days ago sitting next to her. They both looked at me in unison.

"What the hell happened?!" I burst out.

"I can explain." Grandma quietly answered.

I focused my gaze on the man next to her. He seemed to be totally fine.

"I tripped down the stairs, and I remembered that Alec gave me his number if I needed help," Grandma explained.

"Hello? What about me? Am I an air or something? You could've called me!" I was frustrated.

Alec kept his eyes on my panicked face.

"I know, Lily. But you were so happy over the phone yesterday when you said you'd be staying at a friend's house. I didn't want to disturb your morning with such bothersome news."

She cannot be serious.

"You almost died, and you thought about bothering my peaceful morning?" I shouted, and I pinched the bridge of my nose with a loud exhale.

I understand her point of view. But risking your life for a sleepover is a crazy thing to say.

I looked at Alec and eased my facial expression. "Thank you for running here and saving her. I owe you." I said, taking steps forward. He only nodded.

"How bad is it?" I asked, looking into her blue eyes, and worry splashed on her face.

She looked away, analyzing her body, probably reconsidering if she should lie to me about her condition.

"I cannot move my right leg much. But other than that, I'm perfectly fine. I mostly worry about my job. I can't be fired, Vivienne. However, I can barely move my toes." She sighed, rubbing her eyes.

I can't stay home and take care of her myself because I'll lose my job as well. How will we deal with this?

"Don't worry, grandma. Just rest. Could I talk to you for a second?" I looked at Alec. He nodded, and then we moved into the living room.

Isn't it a bit weird that he's always there to help? Or am I too pessimistic?

"Thank you again, but you should leave now," I said. A few seconds of silence passed until he spoke.

"Who will care for her when you need to go to work?" His husky voice echoed in the living room.

"Why do you care?" I burst out, trying to keep it quiet.

I was frustrated about what happened, and Alec didn't make it any better with his stupid question, to which I had no ideal answer.

"Because I hate to see that look upon your face." He softly said, taking a step closer to me. My eyes widen.

He slowly tucked my short hair behind my ear. Grin carved on his face. I wanted to move away from him, but his hand locked on my back, bringing the distance between us closer.

"Get your hand off me," I whispered, keeping eye contact.

He chuckled. "You said you owe me, or did I hear that wrong?"

Fuck. Sometimes I speak before thinking.

"So? What do you want?" I asked.

His eyes dropped onto my lips; however, he didn't try to kiss me. It looked like he was holding back his urges. Something kept him in place.

"Let's make a deal. I need somewhere to stay for a couple of days, and you need someone to take care of your grandma while you work. It sounds fair to me." The corner of his mouth turned up. And of course, he had to look gorgeous. No matter how creepy he sounded, I couldn't deny his beauty.

"Deal." I extended my hand to him. He grabbed it tightly and shook it.

Was it a risky deal? Of course. But no matter how much I tried to look like I had everything under control, it was just another masquerade. I had no one to take care of Grandma. And I couldn't stop going to work because how the hell would we afford to live?

I hated how the situation turned out. The best evening of my life turned into a morning full of worry and anxiousness.

How I had a stranger in my house who would sleep here, and although I didn't know him, I knew he wouldn't cause any harm. Or I just strongly hoped for that because what other choice did I have?

I was doomed.

I stood on the cliff's edge, and the insane wind pushed against me until my foot was on the verge of falling.