Y/n sits on the bed, book in hand. She dusts off the cover, revealing the title.

Anne of green gables

A classic she read in middle school. Nothing too special. A good read though.

Luda had found it in a box in the shed out back. She was going to throw it away, but Y/n stopped her in curiosity.

She turned to the first page, leaning against the pillows.

A few chapters in, Thomas opens the bedroom door. She glances up at him, before looking down at the book.

Thomas approaches leisurely. A big hand grabs the edge of the book, leaning it down. Y/n looks up at him again, quizzical.

"It's Anne of Green Gables. Luda gave it to me."

Thomas stares at it for a second longer.

"You wanna read it?"

His brows furrow in distaste, releasing the book from his grasp and turning away.

"What? There's nothing wrong with reading. I think it's really important that we indulge in literature sometimes. It keeps us educated and open minded."

A lightbulb clicks in y/n's head. Had she ever seen Thomas read anything before?

"Thomas, can you read?"

He grunts, turning to the broken mirror on the vanity.

She knows he went to school from stories about him getting bullied. How could he not have learned how to read?

Unless he really couldn't.

"Thomas, do the words look like jumbled up messes?"

He huffs softly in affirmation.

"Sounds like you're dyslexic. Has nobody ever diagnosed you?"

He looks at her, puzzled.

"It's a learning disability, Thomas. You're not stupid, you just need extra help. And that's okay. "

She pats the space next to her on the mattress. Thomas sits, the mattress dipping under his weight.

She scoots over, close enough that their arms are touching. She flips back go the first page, opening it for Thomas to see.

"Can you see it?"

He shakes his head, so she moves closer. The dip in the mattress makes her fall over slightly. Her hand grabs Thomas's thigh, steadying herself.

"Sorry."

Now, she leans against him, head against his shoulder. She lifts the book up so they can both see.

One of his hands goes up to her hair, softly pulling it over to the other side of her face. Y/n apologizes, not realizing it was in his way.

But his hand doesn't move. It stays by her face. He hesitates, before settling it on her shoulder, pulling her even closer.

She finds her face warming up, looking down at the book so he can't see her blushing.

"I'll read to you."

For a good 15 minutes, she reads. Her throat becomes dry at 20, so she pauses, looking up at Thomas.

She smiles when she sees he's passed out, head resting on her shoulder. Books definitely weren't his thing. Maybe he only stayed because he was tired, and enjoyed y/n's company.

She leans over, going to out the book in the dresser, but a hand grabs her waist, stopping her.

She turns to see Thomas. Eyes half lidded. He tugs on her shirt, bringing her back towards him.

"Thomas, I'm just setting the book down."

He huffs in annoyance, wrapping his arms around her. She sighs, pushing the book to the floor with her foot.

Thomas pulls her down on the bed, embracing her tightly. Y/n's annoyance disappears. She finds herself smiling into the warmth of his skin.

There they lay, until she falls asleep in his arms. Unfortunately, nothing is calm for long in the Hewitt house.

A scream wakes her, making her jump, breaking Thomas's grasp.

"Thomas! Get out here!" It's Hoyt.

He jumps up, leaving Y/n alone in the bed. She clutches the blanket to her chest, fear rising in her chest.

It feels like eternity until she hears Thomas's stomps inside the house again. She jumps out of bed, rushing dosn the stairs.

She freezes on the stairs. Below her is Thomas, coated in blood, grunting and huffing in pain. Slung across his shoulder is the cotton candy guy.

Laura's boyfriend.