"Are you a stupid girl Nova?" My mum yells at me, grabbing me by the ear as she pushes me back inside the house. I was only trying to get the ball. "We do not go onto that property! Understand!"

"But-the ball daddy got me-"

"I'll buy you a god damn new one!" She slams the front door closed behind me; I feel tears blur my eyes as she stares at me for a moment. She releases a long sigh and crouches down, "I'm sorry-I'm sorry I didn't mean to shout. You cannot just leave the house without letting me know Nova,"

"I'm sorry..." She kisses the top of my head, before making her way upstairs.

I walk into the living room and see her computer open on the dining table, pictures of the neighbour's house pinned all over the walls with mini ropes. CCTV footage of car entering the driveway. Little writing sprawled all over the papers.

A ringing phone destroys the best sleep I've had in my life, I try to ignore it, but it seems like it's getting louder. The blanket was very warm over my body, and when I try to push it away- it was too heavy. I open my eyes and see a hand grasping my breasts. The only thing between his hand and my skin is the thin of my shirt.

My eyes pop out of my head, and I look back to see Alexander face inches away from my own. "Alexander..." I try to move his hands away but he's too stubborn. Gosh even in his fucking sleep?

It felt nice. God, it felt amazing. The butterflies were all over my stomach.

When I notice he isn't wearing his hearing aids, I nudge him, and his eyes open with a groan. When they fully open, he pushes himself away from me and slides off the bed, realising how close we were.

He grabs his hearing aids and slides them down onto his ears, adjusting them.

I try to hold onto my laughter at this awkward situation, "had a good little touch, did you?" I teased him, sitting up onto the headboard. I stretch out my arms and crack my neck a little.

"You're sleeping on the floor tonight." My eyes widen-the floor?

"Why me? You were the one touching my boobs!"

I slide of the bed, he wipes his hands down his face, grabbing his shirt from the floor before sliding it on. I watch him walk past me and into another door in the bedroom, hang on? He has a fucking bathroom in his bedroom, and I don't? That is not fair!

I follow him into the bathroom, standing by the door as he takes his toothbrush from the cupboard. "I'm not sleeping on the floor Alexander."

"Then you can sleep in the hallway."

I walk inside the bathroom and push the toilet seat down before sitting on it, Alexander raises his brow and looks back at me.

"Get the fuck out of my bathroom."

"Why? We're keeping each other company."

"I don't know. Privacy?"

"It's not like you're stripping, not that I would mind watching that." I chuckle rubbing the inner corner of my eyes, Alexander spits out the toothpaste and cleans his brush before rinsing his mouth.

"I need to shower, get out."

I sigh and stand up, leaving the bathroom.

I need to get out of these clothes, since Alexander was in the shower, I use this as my chance to slide my shirt over my head and fold it to the side. I look through his draw for a t-shirt or something to wear, but it was all jeans or joggers. Where does this man put his shirts?

I was just in my black laced bra and underwear; guess I'll just wait for him to come out. I grab his joggers and slide it on, I used my hair tie to tighten it around my waist before exiting his bedroom. I make my way into the kitchen and open the fridge to see it- wow- very organised.

I take out the milk and grab the cereal from the counter before shuffling to find the bowls.

"Are you seriously half naked in my kitchen?" I look up from over the counter as I close the cupboard. My heart rate increases once I saw him walking in with just a towel around his waist, I hadn't noticed my lips being sucked in.

"Hey, where are your bowls?"

"Are those my fucking joggers?"

He rushes his hands through his hair and walks away, I stop for a moment...maybe-maybe I am getting just a tiny bit comfortable. It's a habit with me, I get comfortable around people to quick. Maybe he's just different.

I could tell he's annoyed with me being here, I look down at the milk in my hands and return it into the fridge. I put the cereal back on the corner of the counter before making my way into the bedroom.

He was in the bathroom.

I slip of his joggers and wear my old clothes; I hurriedly grab onto my things and make the bed before walking out of his apartment.

I left a thank you post it note on the door and one thousand cash for his couch, which was all the money I had left. I left my purse and my house keys in the apartment.

I know.

Absolutely stupid.

Reaching my car, I throw my things into the passenger seat and start the car before reversing out of the car parking lot. I'll just stay in my car for the time being, I'll park somewhere safe. It's not going to do me harm, I'll stay in my car until the landlord comes back.

My stomach was growling at me, but I ignore it.

I didn't want to call Jane because then she'd rush over in fear, and I am supposed to be independent. I push my seat all the way back and use my jacket as a blanket. My arm as a pillow, but the cold from the broken window was causing shivers.

◾◾◾

I walk into the bakery for my late shift, Olivia was serving a customer as I walk into the back. I rub onto my eyes and use the bathroom, after washing my face and rinsing my mouth. I hold onto the edge of the sink and stare into the mirror.

I have not been able to sleep, it has been three days and the landlord isn't coming back until Sunday. It is Friday. You could tell I haven't slept in a few days; I exit the bathroom and grab my apron.

Olivia catches me as I walk behind the till, "okay, so you're working the late shift-are you okay Nova?" She asks me, holding onto my shoulder.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I chuckle.

"You look like you haven't slept in days."

"Oh, thanks Olivia."

"I didn't mean-Do you want to go home and catch up on some sleep?" She offers me.

"No, no I am fine."

"Okay, well here are the keys. Lock up after yourself before you leave and make sure to clean the tables and everything. I have to go now, see you tomorrow for the morning shift." She leaves the keys on the counter; I slide it into my pocket and watch her leave.

I am the only one in the store now.

It was only a three-hour shift; I rest my elbow onto the counter and my eyes are threating to close. Customers came by and time went on, my shift was nearly over.

My eyes begin to close, and I let it.

"Sleeping on a job, Noble?" My eyes slam open, and my body shoots up into a standing position as I lock eyes with a pair of blue ones, Alexander, he stood in front of me holding a gym bag and wearing a black hoodie.

"What can I get you?" I ask.

"Where have you been sleeping?"

"I booked a hotel room." I lie right through my teeth, part of me begged that he would believe it.

"You look like you haven't slept in days."

"Why is everyone saying that? I have, I am sleeping well on a hotel bed, it's not like I'm sleeping in my car or anything because that's stupid."

"Black coffee-"

"Two sugars, no milk." He nods.

I hand him the drink, "three dollars."

He throws the cash on the table, takes the coffee, and walks away. I raise an eyebrow, noticing that it was the same amount of money that I had left him three nights before.

Along with three extra dollars.