I laid down on my bed, my arms spread out wide above my head and my eyes locked on the blank ceiling above me. It's three am and I can't sleep. My mind is cluttered up with thoughts that are depriving me of my beauty sleep. Not just any thoughts.

Just about her.

Her name, her voice, her eyes, her scent, her presence, her attitude. Just everything about her is so captivating that sometimes I feel like ripping out my own heart.

I love the fact that she's her own person and doesn't let anyone tell her who to be. . .to me that's so attractive and I think it's what draws me closer to her.

I've tried dating Kayla, kissing Laila and even going out a few nights and having one night stands with total strangers in hopes of catching feelings for them and denying my feelings for her.

But my heart is screaming at me, telling me that I love her and no matter how many times my gut is telling me I don't know what the definition of love is.

I've never been in love but I do know what's the definition.

It's her.

I sighed and rolled off my bed, preparing to make my way into the washroom but there was a piercing scream at the end of the hall that halted me in my footsteps. I frowned deeply and toppled out of my room, cringing as the screams grew louder.

It was coming from Michelle's room.

I already knew that she was having a nightmare. I remember the first night I came here, I told her something that I'm not exactly proud of because I never knew how serious it was until I found out it plagued her every night.

She always hinted that it was about her sister but I never got the full story. Not from the gang or herself.

I pushed her door open and made my way towards her side. She was kicking and fussing, her head whipping from side to side as her face dripped with sweat profusely.

"Michelle, wake up, hey, Michelle!" I exclaimed loudly as I shook her shoulders. She immediately snapped her eyes open and flickered her eyes towards me. She stared at me perplexed for a few seconds before her eyes glistened over.

I crawled beside her and pulled her into my arms as she sniffled softly, her arms coming around my waist. "I'm so sorry I woke you up Mason, I–I know you said–" she began but I cut her off before she could go any further with the stupid comment I made a month ago.

"Forget what I said dollface, I'm here and that's all that matters."

She nodded her head and flickered her eyes close as she relaxed against me.

I couldn't help but glance down at her, wondering to myself how someone like Michelle could get herself intertwined with someone like Kaleb.

She was in danger right now and she didn't even know it.

Kaleb was back, and looking for her. I know what he supposedly did, and I know there's no way in hell he's coming for Michelle because I won't let it happen.

I placed a kiss against her temple and she smiled softly. I knew she was already sleeping and I hoped to myself that those nightmares wouldn't come back.

•••

Michelle rolled over towards me, her tousled hair getting tangled in my face as she did so and I brushed it away, spitting out the strands that stuck to my tongue. I tried not to get annoyed and pushed her hair behind her head.

I ran a hand down her cheek and she smiled as her hands trailed up my arm and she caught it in her grasp. "Morning," she mumbled groggily and I chuckled as I intertwined her fingers through mine.

She flickered her eyes open and peered up at me. I couldn't read the expression on her face but I'm assuming it's a little between horrified and happy. "Please tell me I look cute when I sleep." She exclaimed and I chuckled softly as I shook my head.

"No, you look like a dead raccoon," I said and she gasped as she ran her hands through her hair. "Well," she shrugged as she sat upright, "that's what happens when you finally get somewhat of a good rest." She said as her eyes flickered towards her nightstand.

I followed her gaze and there sitting on the stand was two pills and a glass of water. I frowned deeply and sat upright, "why didn't you take them?" I asked and she shrugged once again, "I felt tied down. . .I didn't think it was necessary since my nightmares stopped for a while but then they came back last night and. . .I don't know." She sighed.

I interlocked a strand of her hair between my fingers and tucked it behind her ear as her eyes flickered towards me, "so. . .were you glad that I came here?" I asked softly and she stared at me for a few seconds before her lips slid into a smile, "Yeah, absolutely." She said.

"Now. . .kiss me." I said and she scrunched up her face in disgust before rolling off the bed. "Hey! I said kiss me!" I pouted and she shook her head vigorously.

"Get out Mason."

"Nope, not until you kiss me."

"Get out dickhead!" She squealed.

"If you wanna talk about dicks then I'll be happy to comply with your wishes," I said and her face grew red as a sputtering sound escaped her lips.

"Mason I have to get to school, please get out." She groaned exasperatedly. I slowly rolled off the bed and strutted towards her. She peered up at me confusedly and I didn't say a word, just stared down at her intently.

"Mason you're just standing there staring at me. . .I'm serious GET OUT!"

I flew my hands up in surrender and chuckled deeply, "hakunah your tatas babe," I exclaimed and her mouth widened in shock. The next minute consisted of Michelle struggling to drag me out of her room and shoving me halfway down the hall before stomping back into her room and slamming the door shut.

Drama queen.

I pivoted on my heels and stopped dead in my tracks as Mr White appeared before me, his lips pulled into a frown.

"What were you doing in my daughter's room?" He clipped and I narrowed my eyes at him as I folded my arms over my chest, mirroring his stance. "Something you're not man enough to do." I spat.

He narrowed his eyes at me and eyed me up and down in disgust, "and what's that?"

"Comfort her when she needs someone by her side," I said and he clenched his jaw tightly as his eyes flickered towards her door then me.

I scoffed in disbelief and brushed past him. When I made it to my door, I pivoted on my heels to face him, only to see that he was already glaring at me. With a smile, I backed away into my room and slammed the door shut.

•••

I trekked up the creaky stairs, my hands shoved down my pocket slightly nervously when I made my way towards the door. Without knocking I pushed it open and stepped inside, already regretting my decision when a gust of air that smelt like a combination of rotten egg and hotdog water fanned over my face.

I fell into a coughing fit and covered my nose with my hand as I navigated my way through the familiar shop. Still the same way it was years ago, just smells way worse.

I made my way towards Ruby's office and pushed back the curtain. As expected Ruby was perched upon a chair, a cigarette in between his lips and a stack of money on the table before him. At the sound of my footsteps, he snapped his head towards me and widened his eyes in shock.

"Mason! Long time no see huh my son!? How are you, boy! You look so old, older than that brother of yours huh!" He chuckled as he made his way towards me. I smiled and pulled him in for a short hut before retreating towards his desk.

"I'm good Ruby, just came to see how you were doing and all that," I said and he nodded his head as he took a puff of his cigarette and wafted the nicotine into my face. I wave my hands before me frantically and glared at him.

"You sell marijuana and yet still you smoke that poisonous stick of yours."

He took another drag and chuckled at the disgusted look on my face, "okay, okay, I'll put it out for you." He said as he made his way towards his desk and press the bud into it. I watched it smoke out and smiled in content as I flickered my gaze around his office.

"Have you seen Kaleb lately?" I asked and he nodded his head frantically as he flopped back down onto his chair, "yeah, he and the gang came by yesterday looking for some stuff," He said.

Of course, they came here, I'm not the least surprised.

"What did they come looking for?"

He shook his head and narrowed his eyes at me as his voice drooped low, "Michelle."

"Excuse me?" I spat and he raised his hands in surrender, "I- they threatened to kill me, Mason! I-I-"

"What the fuck did you tell them, Ruby?!"

"I-I didn't tell them anything they hadn't already known!" He exclaimed loudly.

Without wasting time I pivoted on my heels and rushed out of the store and towards my car.

I knew it, I knew her coming here would bring more trouble. Now they're looking for her!?

I pulled off the curb and raced down the streets. Forgetting momentarily that there was something called the speed limit. The white's house was probably thirty minutes from this place so I'm gonna make it ten.

When I made it there I quickly parked my car outside the gates and rushed out. I knew the guards were off today so I rushed towards the intercom and pressed the button frantically, hoping that someone was inside. "Michelle, open the gates, whoever the hell is home, open the goddamn gates!"

Hoping that by the grace of god Michelle didn't go straight home from school.

When no one answered the intercom I slammed my hands against the gate, hoping to draw in someone's attention. "Dude! What the hell, you're making noise!" Tristan exclaimed as he approached me.

I snapped my head towards him and clenched my fist tightly as anger surged through my body. I swear to god if he wasn't her best friend I'd punch the shit out of him by now. I flickered my eyes back towards the intercom and pressed the button again, "open the fucking gates!"

"Can't you see no one is h-"

Even from a distance, I could hear the sound of the front door slamming shut. I snapped my head towards it and sighed in relief as Michelle marched down the path, her face scrunched in anger.

She made her way towards the guard's post and unlocked the gates.

"Mason, what the hell!?" She shouted as she sauntered towards me angrily. But before she could say another word I cupped her cheeks in my palms and drew her into a kiss. She gasped against my lips and hesitantly wrapped her arms around my waist as I kissed her desperately.

I thought Kaleb would have been here because I know he's coming for her.

I don't know what Kaleb is up to but I won't let him win this time.

He will not hurt me.

Nor will he hurt Michelle.

And I always stick to my words.