."Would you mind staying with Alexxa while I'm gone?" Luna asks Gabriel casually, but I can tell the suggestiveness in her calm demeanor. I glare at her, shaking my head. I'll be fine on my own- i'm not a kid anymore.

Smirking, Gabriel closes his sketch book. "No, I'd love to." They share a look in which I'm not apart of, and she leans down to give my cheek a dry kiss.

"I'll only be a few hours. Take him to our place." She lowers her voice. "And try not to make it awkward, okay sweetie? I know you like him."

My eyes widen, and I shake my head furiously. No! I want to scream at her, proving my point. Is that why she wants me to be around him so much? So I can develop a middle-school crush? He knows absolutely nothing about me, not even my real name. There's no way I can like him, and no way he could like me. I'm a nuisance to him in all my silent glory.

"Do you want me to say anything for you?" She asks. I shake my head, not ready to interact with my dead parents. "Order pizza if you'd like." Grinning wider, Gabriel nods and watches as she mumbles a quick 'love you,' before leading us out and locking the door behind her. She gets in her car, starting it and waving. He gives her a half wave in return, glancing at me when she leaves.

"So...Where do you live?" He asks. I say nothing, putting my hands in the pockets of my shorts and nodding in front of me. That gets a grin out of him as he walks next to me, a little close for comfort. Scooting away from him a bit, I look up at the unnaturally bright sun. My eyes unconciously squint and I stare at my feet. I hate the sun with all my being, more than that asshole that made me eat dirt in first grade. What was his name again?

Sighing, I shake the faded memory out of my head and turn the corner. Gabriel follows next to me, respecting my distance. We walk in the silence, watching the people rush past us like their life depends on it. Some are in suits and dresses, while others wear rags. I feel bad for them, seeing them in such a ragged state. It makes me wonder if I hadn't found Luna again, what would be different. Would I be like them, sitting on streetcorners to make a measly five dollars out of pity a day? Would I have met Gabriel?

I guess that wouldn't be that bad, not knowing such a pest. Seriously- He seems attatched to me. Can't he just give up and find a pretty girl to pester? They'd love him, seeing as he's so attrac-

What?

Heat rises to my face at my own thoughts, and I mentally slap myself for even allowing mysef to think about how hot he-

Stop that!

"Someone thinking naughty thoughts?" Gabriel teases, humor in his blue eyes. I roll mine, shaking my head and seeing the crowd break near where Luna's house lies. "Aw, you can tell me." Like i'd tell you anything. I think. As I'm walking, though, some guy twice my height and three times my width bumps into me, sending me flying back into the air. Resisting the urge to curse as I hit something hard, he looks at something behind me. Warm hands grasp my waist, keeping me in a somewhat-standing position.

Turning around abruptly, Gabriel's eyes flicker over my face with worry etched into his features. "Are you okay?" He asks, every syllable laced with concern. "Are you hurt?"

I shake my head faintly, pushing myself out of his grasp and using my own hands to take his off me. He seems to realize how close in proximity we were, and his tan face gets a little tanner with red blush creeping up his cheeks. I look back at the large man, eyes wide. He's pale as a sheet, looking somewhat frightened. "Listen, i'm sorry about that.." He mutters, seeing my shocked face. "I didn't mean to hit you."

I say nothing, nodding slightly. "Are you alright?" He asks. Looking towards Gabriel for help, he's focused on something else. A gasp escapes my lips as he holds up a familiar sheet of paper, reading over it with a look of disbelief on his face.

My release papers from the institute.

Snatching them out of his hands, I can't help the shaky feeling I get as he looks at me. As if I'm a different person- almost as if i'm insane. "It's okay, Harry." He says gruffly, looking at the man he called Harry. "She's fine." He emphasizes 'fine' a bit, looking over at me once more before taking my wrist and leading me off.

We're silent for the better part of two minutes, him staring at my burning face the entire time. I run up the stairs to my house and prying his hand off my wrist. Kicking some of the dirt around in the potted plant next to the door, I pull out a silver key and unlock the door. He walks in like it's his home, waiting for me to dig the key back into the dirt and closing the door behind me when I get inside.

His eyes never leave mine as we awkwardly stand in the living room. "Can I sit?" He asks, voice soft. I nod, walking into the tiny kitchen and opening the fridge for some soda. Finding coke, I open mine and take a long swig before deciding to pour some of Luna's vodka in it. I get another one, opening it and handing it to Gabriel before sitting down on the only couch next to him.

He clears his throat, gaining the rest of my attention that wasn't already on him. "The institution, huh?" He says, more of a statement than a question. I nod, curling my legs up to my chest and looking at the floor. "Was it bad?" I nod again. He sighs, taking a sip of his coke before frowning. "You drugged this." He states, crinkling his nose.

My eyes widen, and I purse my lips, sniffing mine. He got the one with my vodka! Shifting quickly, I replace mine with his and smile reassuringly, like it's the most normal thing to do. He raises an eyebrow, protesting quietly when I drink the coke/vodka mix but not really enforcing it. "What do you want to do?"

I stand, crouching over Luna's thousands of dvd's before choosing Looper. He grins, nodding as I hold it up to him. This brings a slight smile to my face, knowing he likes my favorite movie, and put it in. The credits start first, but I don't mind, sitting in the dark living room next to him and focusing on the movie.

*

Eventually, I had fallen asleep, ending up curled up and using Gabriel's chest as a pillow. HIs arm is slung over my back, eyes still open as he watches the rest of the movie. Although this is such a comfortable position and I like the fluttery feeling I get at the warmth spread on my body as he holds me, I shouldn't be doing this. Shouldn't be interacting with him, much less sleeping in his arms.

Comfort wins my inner battle, and I allow myself one last look at his face as it's highlighted from the television before closing my eyes and nestling myself deeper into his chest. I swear I can feel him smiling, his arm tightening around me. It's such a nice feeling, I almost fall back asleep.

Until the door bursts open, and sniffles echo across the almost silent house. It's Luna, no doubt, crying about the visitation she took alone. Maybe I should have come with her, I think. Gabriel immediately starts to sit up, wanting to comfort her, but then realizes i'm still 'asleep', sliding back down into a half- sitting half-laying position. The sniffles stop abruptly, and her footsteps cease. "How did you..?" She asks, voice hushed.

I feel him shrug. "She was tired, I guess."

"No..She's never tired." There's a silence, in which I can almost imagine Gabriel raising a dark eyebrow at her. "Sleep ansomnia." She explains, as if that solves every question running through his head about me.

"Oh." Is all he says, pausing the movie.

"That's her favorite, you know," She tells him, and I want to stop her from speaking. I don't want Gabriel to know about my life. "Her and her mother used to watch it all the time together." A light, airy laugh escapes her lips, that turns into more sniffles.

"If you don't mind me asking..Where is her mother?" He questions quietly, rubbing small circles in my back. I manage to resist the strong urge to shiver, turning a little to get more comfortable.

"That's her story to tell," She says softly. "Not mine. Maybe in good time, she'll open up to you."

He nods, the feeling startling me a bit. I relax immediately, not wanting to leave his embrace just yet. "You're welcome to stay the night, if you'd like." She tells him.

Fighting the smile off my face, I stay still, awaiting his answer anxiously. Half of me wants him to say yes, so I can stay like this for as long as possible with him, but the other half wants him to leave abruptly, to let me forget the warm feelings and stay as antisocial as possible, not getting close enough for me to care if they leave me.

That's why I don't speak, isn't it? So if they leave, I won't be close enough to them to care much.

"Yeah, that'd be great." He says finally. "Could you drive me to my apartment later to get my car? I have to drive to class."

Oh, shit. Tommorow's my first day of senior year in some new private school Luna signed me up for. Turns out, I got in, but just barely. Due to my average grades in freshman and early sophmore year, I hadn't been considered lightly. Since they knew Luna and she had connections, unless I was failing, they would've let me in despite everything else.

"You're going to Autumn, right?" She questions.

"Yep. Senior." She sighs, and my heart rate quickens. She isn't implying that I stick with him, right?

"Would you mind taking R-Alexxa to class? If it isn't much trouble, I mean."

He nods again, but i'm prepared this time. "Yeah, sure. Does she go to the public school?"

"No, no. She got into Autumn." I hear her footsteps walk back into the hallway as she shuffles out of her coat and boots, the rubber colliding with the wood floor with a loud bang. I take this as my cue, jerking myself to the side a little and opening my eyes.

Luna's clearly been crying. Her eyes are puffy and red, hands shaking a bit. She holds a bouquet of dead flowers in her hands, probably from the last time she's been to their graves. I can tell she's trying to hold it in for Gabriel, to look strong for the both of us. Her eyes flicker to my face, lips tilting up to form a small, sad smile. "Hey, sweetie." She says warmly, and I smile faintly at her, trying to be reassuring. "Did you sleep well?"

I look up at Gabriel, who's face is somewhat heated. I feel his quick heartbeat under my ear, easily figuring out he's nervous. Nodding, I peel myself off him and turn to the other corner of the loveseat. 'Want dinner?" She asks. "Gabriel's staying the night."

I put my best shocked expression on, trying to get myself to object to it with a glare. Instead, I simply let out a small sigh despite how I really feel. Maybe if I pretend like I'm irritated by his presence, I'll actually end up feeling that way. Then, I won't get hurt.

Seems simple, right?

"I'd bet you want chinese, after two years of institution food," She says in a sing-song voice. My eyes widen in a what-the-fuck way, and she gasps, looking towards Gabriel again. "I mean-"

"It's okay," He says quietly. "I know."

I know he knew I was in the institution, but now he understands how long I was there for. Two years in an insane asylum is serious business, something not taken lightly by others. It means they thought you were crazy enough to make sure you stayed for two of your birthdays. "Oh." She gives me an apologetic look, wandering off into the kitchen and dialing chinese.

Listening as she orders everything we used to get, I can't help the feeling in my stomach that gives me light butterflies. Home. This is home.

"Alexxa," Gabriel's voice is soft, somewhat questioning. I turn to him, ready to face whatever crap excuse he's going to say about having to go home and then never, ever talking to me again. Instead, what he says shocks me. "Could you teach me sign language? I think I might want to understand my grandpa."

A smile comes to my face at the mention of Daniel, probably my favorite-and only- person to talk to. Nodding, I stand, watching his eyes brighten. Underneath our television, in the right cabinet is our whiteboards. I take two, grabbing markers before tossing him his and sitting back down facing him.

I start with the alphabet, writing the letter on the whiteboard and signing it to him. He copies my hand actions, getting the hang of it easily but fumbling a few times. When I try to teach him simple things like house and cat, however, he completely gives up on me with a sigh. "Can't I just spell out what I have to say?" He whines. I shake my head, signing house again before watching him attempt to mimic me. When it turns out to look like a misshapen ball, I use my fingers to curve his hand into the correct hand formation.

Soon enough, I've gotten him to sign I like your face. It's the only few words he's memorized, so I went along with it, rolling my eyes as he made his first sentence. He grins, watching my hands as I sign back, I like your face, too. A pleasant laugh escapes his lips, brightening my mood completey. "That's good."

I start to write on my whiteboard, forgetting my whole don't-get-close deal. I'll sign what you say, and you sign it back. I write, holding it up to him.

"One on condition." He says, chewing the tip of his Expo marker. I motion for him to continue, doodling aimlessly on my whiteboard. "We watch a movie again. I like those." Not what I was expecting, but better than what my head was creating. I nod, smirking, and sign out movie for him. He does it flawlessly, grinning happily.

I like movies. I sign, waiting for him to tell me. "I like movies." Smiling, I nod. "I like watching movies with you." He smirks. A light blush blossoms to my cheeks, and I sign it hesitantly. "Scratch that. With her." I do it differently, and he stands, patting my cheek quickly like a dog and running into the kitchen.

"Luna!" He exclaims. "You can sign, right?"

"Uhh, yeah, why?" She asks suspiciously. There's a silence, and she laughs. "I bet you do. Is she teaching you?"

"Yep." The doorbell rings, and I look over anxiously at the doorway for one of them to get it. When none of them do, I sigh, standing and opening the door, only to face my ex-boyfriend, Chase.

"Oh, my god." He breathes, taking a step back from me.

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The song of the chapter is Sleepers Just Don't by Mayday Parade. c:

It totally relates to her situation... She doesn't want to like him, but she can't help herself. Who could? I mean..Really. Gah. "I can see you, but I can't touch you." Seriously, all Mayday Parade songs are so relatable to everyone.

I'll put the link on the side for you! Please vote, cause it takes about three seconds to click a button c;.

xoxo.