Lia

We're lying in my bed, unable to fall asleep.

Blake has already texted his dad, telling him that he's staying at my place for the weekend, so we could talk freely.

I've told him everything about my parents' abandonment, my homelessness, the rape, my dad, the time I spent with him, and even my fighting.

He took it pretty well once he heard all of it, the initial shock slowly wearing off, giving way to understanding.

My dad gave us the space we need, staying in his bedroom. He knows I should be the one to lay it all out to Blake. But I know that he's still awake, ready to intervene anytime.

"Remind me to never piss you off." Blake chuckles. I have my head in the crook of his shoulder, running my finger over his bare chest, tracing his dragon tattoo, while his arm is around me, stroking my skin.

He tries to dispel the tense atmosphere, and damn him, it works.

"I won't hurt you even if I'm pissed, unless you do something to hurt me." I assure him. I would never hurt him.

"Daamn, I'm dating the Ghost. That's way cooler than just Lia Clarke, the school's invisible nerd." I laugh at him. He always manages to turn everything to him.

"Why? Don't like boring Lia no more?" I ask him in mock seriousness.

"No. I love boring Lia. And her being a badass fighter is just an extra." He gives me a cheeky smile before kissing my forehead.

"Did you just seriously call me boring?!" I exclaim, pretending to be offended. He tenses under me, his hand stopping on my arm. He averts his wide eyes from me, mulling over how to get out of this.

"Just kidding. You're so easy to tease." I laugh at his dumbstruck expression. "You're taking it really well, you know." I quietly tell him, confused. I was expecting him to react like earlier, not just accept everything so easily.

"You've told me about your past before, so I knew most of it. You just omitted this one part and, after hearing about your dad and all, I get why you did that. I should have thought about your circumstances first before snapping at you. I'm sorry." He tugs me to him and I understand his wish, getting on his chest, my legs tangled with his and our bodies pressed against each other. He can't simply pull me onto him like he's used to because of my stab wound.

"I'm surprised I haven't put it together earlier, actually. – he pecks my nose as I lie on him. – First, you managed to break my clock, even though I've been smashing it with my hand everyday for months and it still worked. You've beaten up that dickhead really bad, you effortlessly threw Victoria 10 feet away from me by her hair and you're the exact same build as Ghost. I've been watching your fights ever since you first came here, and I never noticed it's you. Now that I think of it, your ribs were hurt right at the same time as Ghost disappeared, so that should've been my first clue." I lean my head on my crossed arms, just listening to him talking, but one thing catches my attention.

"What do you mean the exact same build as Ghost? You were checking her out?" I decide to play jealous and tease him.

"Uh, - he stammers – yeah." – he gives up with a sigh.

"Even today, well yesterday actually – he corrects, glancing at the clock – I thought you're... well... hot. I've always found you attractive, despite not seeing your face. There's always been something about you that made you different; the way you carried yourself, how you acted, how you didn't get corrupted by that damn place. The reason I've been even more of a player this year than earlier was because of Ghost. I knew I could never get her, so I just used the girls I could. Who would've thought my wish would come true, and Ghost would be mine." He cups my cheek, caressing it with his thumb adoringly and I almost melt.

"So what do you think now? Knowing what I look like?" I ask, making sure to slip in the British accent I use as Ghost in the end.

"What's with the accent?" He chuckles.

"It's Ghost's voice. I don't want to reveal myself, even if it's just talking." I shrug.

"Well, to answer your question, I think Ghost just got 100 times hotter." His voice turns husky, as he leans up to kiss me.

"You better." I mutter against his lips before finally pressing them together. Blake takes charge immediately, deepening the kiss, his one hand in my hair and the other around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

"NO CANOODLING!!!" My dad's angry voice resounds around the room, making us pull away. Blake plops his head down on the pillow with a loud groan while I laugh at my dad's choice of words.

"I have the shittiest luck EVER!!! Why is it that we're always interrupted?" He exclaims, looking at the ceiling and I just continue to giggle into his chest.

"Little mouse, are you holding up okay? How's your wound?" Dad turns to me worried.

"It's fine, it didn't reopen. You can go to sleep, I know you're tired." I notice the slight dark rings under his eyes. Dad gives me a small smile in gratitude, before turning his eyes to Blake.

"No funny business, boy." He sternly warns, pointing a finger at Blake, before leaving my room.

"Do you think he'll be back?" Blake whispers, glancing at the open door.

"No, he went to sleep. He won't be up for a while." I shrug, laying my head back on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"You'll protect me in case your dad tries to murder me, right?" I almost laugh at the desperate tone in Blake's voice.

"If you do something to warrant the murder, I'll help him get rid of the body." I leave a small peck on his chest, wrapping my arms around his sides, slowly letting the sleep come.

"I won't. I love you, sweetheart. Goodnight."

"Love you too, Cakey. Goodnight." With that I fall asleep.

I'm woken up by the heavenly smell of freshly brewed coffee. I try to get up from the bed, but the heavy weight on my chest makes it impossible. I look down only to be met with a mop of dark brown hair, as Blake uses my boobs as pillows, again. That boy, I swear.

I run my fingers through his hair, softly cajoling him to wake up. It takes a while, but he finally does, leaving a kiss on the valley between my breasts before lifting his head to look at me.

"I'm glad you're comfortable, but I need to get up." I say, seeing his questioning look. He's so cute when he wakes up!

His head plops back on my chest, ignoring my words completely. I shake my head in amusement, deciding to let him sleep for few more minutes before I force him off me.

"Blake, get up. – I massage his scalp, running my fingers through his hair – It's late and I'm hungry." He mumbles something intelligible into my chest, tightening his grip on me. Sigh.

"If I don't get out soon, my dad will come here." That wakes him up. He shoots up instantly and I use this chance to get off the bed.

"Come on sleepy head, it's lunch time already." I almost laugh at the cute sleepy look on his face then he grumbles something about me stealing his pillows as I head to the bathroom.

After going through my morning routine, I take out a new toothbrush and towels for Blake and place them on the counter. It's actually his first time staying over, so he doesn't have anything here.

"Bathroom's yours." I say as I walk back into my room, but the sight in front of me makes me burst with laughter.

Blake is lying on his stomach, his arm hanging over the edge of the bed, the other hugs the blanket while his face is buried in my pillow. I go to him and sit on the edge of the bed, running my fingers down his spine delicately before smacking his butt.

"Get up or no food for you." I threaten, but it only earns me a grunt in response.

I give up.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you ever decide to eat. There's a new toothbrush and towels for you in the bathroom." I kiss the back of his head then leave the room.

"You alone?" Dad asks after I greet him with a kiss on the cheek.

"Yeah, Blake's still sleeping." I pour myself a cup of hot coffee before taking a seat at the bar, where a plate filled with food waits for me.

"How did it go yesterday?" He asks, almost tentatively.

"Quite well. Since Blake already knew about my biological parents and the time when I was homeless, all I had to explain was my fighting. He took it quite well when the initial shock wore off." I munch on my toast as I speak.

"Good, good." Dad nods in understanding. "So I'm guessing you'll tell him about your next fights?"

"Probably. I mean, he's been watching my fights ever since I moved here, so I don't see much difference. Thankfully he's not one of those wild loud fans, who scream out my name when I'm in the cage, so I'm not worried about him slipping up." I shrug. I have actually warned Blake about it, and he swore not to do or say anything that would help reveal my identity.

"When's your next fight?" Dad implores, taking a bite of his toast. He's most likely worried about this because of my wound.

"I don't know yet. Either next week or in two weeks, I'll wait for the decision of my opponents. After yesterday's shit with Ace I'm not sure there's someone who's brave enough to get in the cage with me."

"Well, from what I gathered, Ace was a weakling, relying solely on dirty tricks, so maybe there will be someone worth your time. But please heal first, you know the risks of fighting injured." His eyebrows scrunch in worry as he speaks and I pat his hand, trying to reassure him.

"I know, dad. You don't have to worry." I give him a smile, sipping on my coffee.

"Yes I do, because I won't be here to take care of you next week. I have to go back, little mouse." I can see he's not happy about this. And neither am I, it's nice to have my dad here with me.

"I understand. - I sigh - But you'll come for my graduation, right?" I demand.

"Of course I will. I wouldn't miss it." He chuckles, leaning over to give me a kiss on the forehead.

"When do you have to go?" I'm sure my expression shows I don't really want to know.

"Today. I have to catch up with my work before I go to the office on Monday." I drop my head to not let him see my face.

"Alright." I sigh. "Will you at least stay for dinner?" I ask, my tone hopeful, but dad's forlorn expression answers my question.

"I'm sorry little mouse. I'd love nothing more than to stay here with you, but we both know why I can't. I just wanted to wait for you to wake up, so I don't leave without goodbye." I get up from my seat before making my way around the counter to give my dad a tight hug. After 2 years I finally can see him only to lose him again.

"I'll visit whenever I can." I croak, my voice breaking with emotion.

"I'll be waiting, my little mouse. And you can take your boyfriend with you. I'll try to be nice." He jokes, making me chortle.

My dad leaves my house soon after finishing lunch, so I go back to the kitchen to wash the dishes to occupy myself with something.

After I'm done with the chores, I make fresh food for Blake, who's already up, judging by the sound of shower running in my bathroom.

"Hey baby. – he kisses me in greeting before engulfing me in a back-hug, as usual – Where's your dad? I was expecting him to berate me for touching his daughter."

"He already left. He had to go back home, he's got work to do." I answer.

"Oh, I'm sorry baby. I know how much you missed him." He kisses the back of my head, hugging me tighter.

"It's fine. Now that I can freely go home and contact him, it won't be as hard as it was. I just didn't expect him to leave so early. It was nice to have him here with me." I explain, flipping the French toast on the pan.

I quietly watch Blake eat his food, sipping on my second cup of coffee. Thank god it's weekend so we can just be lazy all day. Or not! I think when I hear the doorbell.

I open the door with an irritated scowl which turns to shock as I see who stands in front of my door.

You've got to be shitting me!!!