Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.

Lao Tzu

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

I trace each of the perfectly chiseled packs on Dalaric's abdomen while lying on his firm body as his strong hands are wrapped around me like a cage. A cage that I don't want to escape.

My fingers try and find his eighth pack but fail to do so. I'll have to talk to him about that. Maybe he's not the fittest after all. Nothing compared to my ten-pack.

Dalaric looks handsome as he sleeps. I'm contemplating on calling the cops to arrest him for being too beautiful. His lips are slightly jutted out so adorably as I skim my fingertips on the pink skin. I also smooth out his eyebrows and pout when I see his long eyelashes. Not fair.

If Dalaric was a girl, he'd be one of the pretty and popular ones. He'd be a nice girl. I don't think we'd be friends then.

I'm wearing his hoodie on top of a sports bra and black leggings that I had stuffed into my work bag. I don't really have many clothes. Now I have his whole closet.

He shuffles under me as I gaze at him, my arms crossed on his muscular , tanned chest. I don't know why he takes off his shirt when it's so cold in here but I'm not going to complain anytime soon. I woke up shivering in the middle of the night so I crawled on top of him, letting him wrap us in a burrito. Dalaric's a light sleeper who seems to like cuddles.

One swirly grey eye pops open as I kiss it. I play with a strand of his curly hair, result of me opening them before we slept. It just smells so good. He's trimmed it shorter so it reaches just below his ears and a few caramel strands fall over his forehead.

Swoon.

Dalaric tightens his hold on me , turning us so we're laying on our sides, facing each other.

"I have school in an hour."

Dalaric stuffs his face in the crook of my neck, grumbling under his breath. His warm breath tickles my skin and I quietly giggle. He inches one hand under the hoodie, lightly rubbing my back.

Nope, Maya. You have school. School!

Using all my force to escape his hands , I climb on top of him. I giggle as he tries to push me back on the bed. Only then does my face flush red.

I'm straddling him.

This feels inappropriate.

My eyes wander down to his seven-pack and I frown.

"How do you get so many ? I only have-" I pull my hoodie upwards, trying to show him my non-existent pale abdomen muscles before quickly putting it back. I forgot I have unattractive stomach rolls.

Dalaric shakes his head , his skin gleaming as a result of the morning light from the panel windows. His white sheets are crumpled up around his form as he sits up, back against the headboard.

A large hand makes its way to my back , pushing me back on the bed. Dalaric gets up on his knees as he hovers above me. Three fingers caress my cheek before he stuffs his face under the hoodie in a flash of a second.

"What-what are you doing ?!" I shriek as I try to get him out of the hoodie but clench my eyes shut when his head pops out of it , his face extremely close to mine since we're two bodies in one hoodie. I swallow hard as the feel of his hard body on my skin enflames the pit of my being.

We've never been this close. Dalaric kisses both my eyes before I instinctively open them. A raspy voice etched with early morning fatigue makes me feel all tingly.

"Morning."

That darn voice.

"You could've said that without getting into my-your hoodie. I like my personal space, y'know, dude ?" I lie , hoping he doesn't realize how badly I want him in my personal space after all. He's so warm.

"I could've." Dalaric makes his way out of the hoodie , his head of curls disappearing under the cloth right when I feel a wet flutter on my tummy. His warm lips meet my not-so-skinny stomach thrice before he gets out of my clothing.

I don't think I can breathe. His eyes glint at my flustered state. Meanie.

It only means that he saw my flabs. This would be easier if he wasn't model material. He likes me for me , though , right ?

"Angel?" My body hangs halfway from the edge of the bed , my head on the ground and legs on the white sheets as I stare at Dalaric who's at the door of the washroom with a towel in his hand and a nonchalant expression on his face.

"You like me, right ?" My head starts to feel weird as I go back to a normal sitting position. A girl needs her reassurance.

"Yes." is all he says before shutting the door.

Yay.

Heading to the kitchen ,since I already freshened up before I had my own staring show with Dalaric, I take out ingredients for french toast. Since i've noticed Dalaric likes maple syrup, judging from the heaps of it he puts on anything during breakfast, I've made it my mission to make life a little yummier for him.

Grimacing when I burn one of them, I squeal when a hand lays itself on my tummy. I turn slightly to be met with a distracted Dalaric who's sporting a full-sleeve v neck and black cargo pants. Sighing when I realize I'll never reach that level of perfection, I get back to putting chocolate chips in the form of a smiley face while throwing one at Kipp a few times.

Kipp manages to catch them before sitting on Dalaric's shoulder. It's so adorable seeing him pet the colorful bird , whose color completely contrasts the darkness of his owner's clothes.

Dalaric let's go off his knife and fork when he notices my empty plate , before crossing his arms and glaring at me for not touching the food.

"I'm not hungry." I don't want mama to think I'm getting fatter. Dalaric continues glaring before scooting back his chair. I reach out for his wrist before he can do that and try to pull him back.

Just because I don't eat doesn't mean he shouldn't. Sending him a sheepish yet forced smile, I pick up a toast while trying to hide the rumble of my stomach.

I make a mean french toastie.

Once we're done, Dalaric cleans up and feeds the remaining to an hyperactive kipp. I make sure I take the notes I printed at the café for my IT test before putting on my shoes and trying to fix up my hair. A large hand brings me out of my concentrated stare at the paper before my hand is clasped around a finger. After saying goodbye to Kipp and trying to make him learn my name, Dalaric leads us out to the car as I smile at the great weather.

"Do you like the cold ? I love it so much. I could stay here forever." I wave my arms around as I twirl around the driveway. Dalaric grabs the sleeve of the hoodie to gently drag me to the car when I almost fall into a bush.

Who puts bushes in their driveways ?

He opens the car door for me before setting my bag into the backseat. The dark look in his eyes intrigue me before he whispers something like 'forever'. I thought I asked him if he likes the cold ?

The relatively long car ride is spent playing with his fingers and revising for my test. Dalaric asks me a few questions to test me, since he knows IT skills because of his job. No ones ever helped me with an exam before. Is this what having friends is like ? I love it.

Once we reach , Dalaric grabs my bag after he opens my door. The second I exit, a heated flush makes its way onto my face as a result of the abundance of eyes looking at us. We probably look so cool now. My shirt does match the car. The movie moment lasts for a second or two before I boop Dalaric's nose.

I can't resist it.

I squirm in my position at the end of the school parking lot, realizing they're still staring at us. Is this how Dalaric feels when I stare at him for more than an hour ? Nah, I don't think he minds.

Dalaric furrows his brows before sighing. He takes one look at them and they all glance away.

Scaredy cats.

I take my bag from Dalaric as he waits expectantly. "What are you wai-" He lowers his head and I frown at the fact that I forgot. "Oh , right. Huggies. I'm sorry." I wrap my arms around his warm neck and his arms instantly come across my waist. He puts one under the hoodie , rubbing my back before setting me down when I tap out.

Dalaric pulls me back when I go to leave and grabs the palm of my hand, placing something soft on it. I look at it and surprise before slapping my free hand over my mouth, afraid that i'll burst out sobbing.

It's a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Dalaric rubs the back of his neck , looking anywhere but my almost-teary eyes.

"F-for me ?" I point to myself , making sure there isn't a secret spy agent twin of mine lurking around.

Dalaric nods with a nonchalant look as he tucks a strand of hair that escaped my bun.

"No one's ever...." I cut myself off , my arms tightly wrapping them around his waist.

I really like him.

" I really like you. Like a lot." Dalaric looks flustered , one of his hands running through his open hair before his confuzzled expression changes to one of softness as I smile at him.

My heart already starts to miss him as I walk away from the car, constantly looking back at Dalaric and throwing him a peace sign. I know he's not going to leave until I make it inside the high school.

I haven't had packed lunch in five years.

There's a tiny smiley sticker on the front of the wrapped sandwich. I take it off and put it in my journal.

I really like this dude.

☁︎︎ ☁︎︎ ☁︎︎

A groan escapes me as I walk towards the school exit. Period cramps are the worst. They're only worse at school. I mentally thank God for the pads I had kept in my bag.

The groans quiet down as I see a matte black car at the end of the parking lot. My steps are slow because of the agonizing pain in my lower abdomen. I'm so hungry.

Dalaric places both his hands on my waist when I make it, his brows furrowed in worry. He shifts my face side to side , his hands warm against my skin, providing me with a soothing relief.

Once he , as expected, doesn't find any visible wounds he picks me up and turns me around like a watermelon at a supermarket , continuing his investigation.

"Dalaric, you need to put me down." I try to glare at the people who are watching and trying to muffle their snickers. Although reluctantly, Dalaric sets me down and runs a hand over his face.

"What the fuck happened , Mayella ? Is it your shoulder-" I stuff my face in his chest , ignoring his constant questioning which makes me feel all warm and tingly.

"Period cramps." My voice comes out muffled in my attempt to doze off on his standing body.

Dalaric pulls me back instantly making me pout. He nods and opens the door for me before an all too familiar voice sounds out.

"Maya, can I talk to you ?" My eyes instantly go wide. What in the bahookie is he doing ? I stand in front of Dalaric , making sure none of them get any ideas.

"Joshua ? Is everything okay ?" I ask, hoping whatever made him cry that day is gone now.

He nods , his skin pale and his hair gelled back yet unorganized. My eyes lower to his hands that play with a single sunflower. Sunflowers are so pretty.

Dalaric wraps an arm around my tummy pulling me to his side so he can step forward.

"Speak." Hot- not the time, Maya. Joshua gulps before nodding to himself.

"I uh-I'm really sorry for all the shit I've done to you- the both of you. It was wrong of me and I'm trying to change. Maya- you can't believe how much I regret all the horrible shit I've done to you. You never deserved it. You're-" Joshua sighs before looking at me directly , Dalaric's arm tightens.

"You're the kindest person I know and I'm shitty for doing that. Fuck man, I don't even know why I did half of that shit. I wasn't even planning on coming here- but I met someone and she forced me to. For myself. She got the sunflower too." He smiles at himself and I feel happy for him. Happy that he's changing for the better. I'd like to meet this girl and give her a hug.

He passes the sunflower to me and I smile softly before glaring at Dalaric who snatches it from him. Joshua nods understandingly, stuffing his hand in the pockets of his jeans.

"I hope you forgive me." He turns to walk away before I almost scream.

"I do ! As long as you're trying to change, Joshua. I hope you have a nice life !" Dalaric gently pushes me into the car as I wave , making sure Joshua leaves with a glare on the back of his head.

Grey eyes penetrate my soul before he puts forward the sunflower , tucking it behind my ear. I kiss his hand before grinning at him and the fact that I won't be troubled by Joshua anymore.

I love it when people change for good. There's always hope.

We pull out of the driveway as my cramps return tenfold. I rub warming circles on my tummy, smushing my face into the cool glass of the car.

It pains. This is unfair.

"Fine ?" His voice is laced with concern but I'm in too much pain to aww.

"Not fine." The car speeds up a bit as I manage to mumble some words out. After a few minutes or so , we reach the warehouse and Dalaric is quick to get to my side and pull me out. I don't let go of his neck as I hug him , it's way too comfortable. Dalaric holds me tightly as he grabs my bag. He pats the back of my thighs , making me wrap my legs around his waist and try to take a little nap on his shoulder.

"Boss, here- Maya ? You okay ?" I throw up a lazy thumbs up to Rafael who I can't see since my eyes are shut tight, my body begging for a hot shower and a bucket of chocolate. I feel myself get placed on the plush surface of the office sofa as Dalaric lets go off me and my hormones go crazy.

Meanie.

"Stay put." He leaves the room and I pout. He's not going to get any cheek kisses anytime soon. A knock sounds on the door and a worried Fatima glances at me. My new friend.

"Mayi ? You okay , babe ?" I smile at her, my new friend. She also uses babe for all her girlfriends , as she told me , making me squeal in joy for calling me her girlfriend.

"Cramps." She stands at the doorway , her hands in the pockets of her black cargo pants. She's wearing a sweatshirt that says FBI and a matching black grey hijab. She looks cool, as always.

"Aw, babe. You need anything ? Heating pads ? I have some in the office-"

"She doesn't. Thank you , Fatima. You may leave." Dalaric enters swiftly as his employee nods and obeys his commands before sticking her tongue out as she walks away. I grin at how he thanks her instead of telling her to get out.

Giggles erupt before turning into groans. My cramps always hurt so much. It's like your constipated but also getting punched in the stomach repeatedly. My groan turns into a yelp as Dalaric picks me up from the sofa , placing himself on it instead and laying across it before putting me in between his legs.

My body instinctively stills since I can feel his hard chest on my back and his legs touching mine.

Double gulp.

After a few moments of Dalaric rubbing my back, I instinctively lean back into him , my head now on his right shoulder. He turns his head only slightly to kiss me on my forehead before he sneaks his arm into my hoodie.

I let out an enormous sigh of relief when he places his soft, heating hand on my cramping stomach. He could've just been a personal heater instead of an assassin. But only my personal heater. The feel of his warm hoodie and his even warmer hand numbs my mind. I play with his free hand that's slightly less scarred because of the healing moisturizer I put on it.

Dalaric takes away his hand from my fiddling fingers and hands me a white bag. I look at it incredulously , hoping it's not a wild rabbit waiting to pounce on me. I don't like the ones with the red eyes.

As his hand rubs soothing circles on my stomach , sometimes poking my belly button and making me giggle , I check the contents of the plain bag.

Oh em gee.

"Carrot cake ? Y-you got me lemon squares too ?" My lips tremble as I look at the cute little desserts , no doubt from a good bakery judging from the way they look. He's so sweet.

"You're so sweet, dude." Dalaric wipes my eyes , assuming that I'm crying by now. I would be , if I wasn't stuffing my face with cake.

Once I finish my food and try to convince Dalaric to remove his hand because I'm most probably bloated , I ask Dalaric about his day since stupid Maya forgot to do so before.

"Successful mission. A few meetings. Did you eat your sandwich ?" Dalaric grumbles out, both of his hands now caressing my tummy.

"I gave a teeny bit to Clancy too, I'm sorry. I got an A on the test ! Oh- and I'm meeting Helen and Fatima after school tomorrow so is it okay if you don't pick me up ?"

"Helen ?" He asks. Although I can't see him, I can tell he's skeptic.

"She's a nice friend. She compliments me. I promise, she's nothing like-" I try and convince him that I'll be okay. I don't want him worrying about me.

"Shay." Dalaric says with clear distaste.

"Yeah-um, her. I think I can finally make some friends here. Other than you." I say the last part quietly , twisting my fingers nervously. I hope he doesn't think he's not enough for me. He is, way more more than enough.

Leaning further into his warm embrace, I feel a warm kiss on the crown of my head.

"I'm proud of you."

God, I needed to hear that.

"I like you so much, Dalaric." And I won't stop saying it.

His caressing hands move to my hips before he leaves a gentle kiss on the side of my neck. My body shivering at how good that feels. Was that my first neck kiss ?

"Was that my first neck kiss ?" This is so exciting. Where else can you get kisses ? I need to google that.

"Better fucking be." He mutters, leaving a kiss on my cheek.

"Hehe." I take my phone and note it down in the notes app along with the date.

My cramps have significantly decreased since we've been lying on the sofa. It's been about an hour or so, some of it spent napping. I wish we could do this everyday , without the menstrual pain.

"Fine ?" Dalaric asks. How can I not be fine after all he's done for me ?

"Fine." He sighs in relief. Why would he feel relieved because I'm relieved ?

"I'm bored now."

☁︎︎ ☁︎︎ ☁︎︎

"No."

"Mayella."

"I can't, Dalaric."

"I'm not saying this again."

"They won't like me. Jan didn't either."

"Stop acting like a child. Now get the fuck out."

It's not like he's wrong.

Deep breaths, Maya. You got this.