She worries me so much. But here I was. Sitting as still as a board as she was passed out on my shoulder. My back was against the wall. My arm around her. Her head on my chest. Her small hands enclosed around my shirt.

And a stupid smile on my face.

Len was on her lap, sleeping on her back. Her legs in the air and Marnie's hand serving her as a warm blanket.

The room was quiet and I could not help but glance at her face. Her cheek pressed against my chest. Soft breaths left her plump lips and her long hair cascaded down her back. Her lashes were resting on her cheeks.

When I saw her at the door my heart quite literally trembled. She had me so scared and ready to call the ambulance.

Everything stopped. Even my thoughts as she murmured something before snuggling into my chest even more. I smiled before taking out my phone and seeing my texts.

:

I have fucking called you 5 times. Fucking pick up for once dipshit.

Arthur:

I'm with a friend. What do you need?

Ronan:

A friend? You don't have any friends.

Ohhh ;) is it that chick?? The pretty one with big brown eyes? 10/10 would bang.

Arthur:

W

hat are you 12? Fucking grow up. I asked you what do you need?

Ronan:

Yeah fuck I forgot about that.

Arthur:

Dipshit :)))

Ronan:

The shipments will get here by Sunday.

Arthur:

Okay. Cameo is the location right?

Ronan:

Yes ma'am.

Arthur:

Okay. Don't fucking bother me now.

Ronan:

Ouuu why? Is Arthur banging the chick? Want a tip?

Arthur:

I am not banging her, besides if I were I would give her more than just that :)) goodbye Ronan.

Ronan:

Bye :(

I roll my eyes at his text before looking at the large window to see the sun had already set and the night had taken over.

"It's late." Marnie's groggy voice muttered and I let myself breathe again.

"Stay for the night," I whispered and she shook her head.

"Ma might get worried." She answered before sighing and suddenly I was cold.

Her body left mine as she slid away from me and I stopped myself from pulling her towards me again.

"Right," I said quietly, she looked at me. Her eyes were a little swollen and sleepy. She looked at Lenon who was still in her lap and slowly placed her inside the large ceramic bowl and covered her with the small blanket.

"I should leave." She said softly and I nodded, she stood up but I stayed seated looking at her.

"I will drop you off," I said and she nodded slowly.

"Okay." Her smile might just be brighter than the sun as a smile on my own lips appeared and I finally stood up.

Grabbing my keys I could feel this hollow space in my chest.

I want her so bad.

We walked down the stairs and towards my motorcycle. I placed the brand new helmet on her head and she grinned as I put mine on.

I chuckled shaking my head and fought off the shiver when her hand enclosed around my waist and we rode off into the night.

I wanted to speak to her, spend more time. Walk with her every day. Take her places she didn't know, I wanted to make her happy. But I knew that I can't have nice things so I shut my mind off and dropped her home.

The streets were empty and cold. Her warm breath hitting my neck was unforgiving as goosebumps appeared on my skin. I gritted my teeth and continued driving.

"We're here," I said stopping right in front of her house. The lights inside were turned on and the door was open. Her mother was waiting looking worried.

Her expression softened as she saw me with her. I took off her helmet and kissed her palm quickly as her mother walked towards us. I hoped she wouldn't have seen and by the look on her face I knew she hadn't.

"Where were you Mer? And hello Arthur." She smiled at me but her gaze hardened again when she looked at Marnie.

"I felt sick and it took us longer to finish the project." She said quickly and I bit my lip to stop myself from chuckling at her bald-faced lie.

"Okay, that's- understandable. Arthur, would you join us for dinner? Please I insist." Her mother said, I looked at Marnie and then my watch.

"Sure, ma'am." I nodded and she smiled. I parked my motorcycle before taking off my own helmet and walking inside their home with them.

I beg myself to not say something stupid and make a fool of myself and dear Marnie. But when I see Val in her sweatpants and an old band tee-shirt looking like a truck has run her over I can help but pass her a smile.

"Hello, Valerie." I grin at her and her eyes narrow at me before she grunts and forces a fake smile.

"I didn't know you were coming." She grits her teeth and I send her a sharp smile nodding my head mockingly.

"Oh dear, your mother insisted that I do." I grinned and she narrowed her eyes again before plopping back down on the couch while Mrs Bennett heads to the kitchen.

"This is fun," I said plopping down on the other end of the couch while Marnie sits between us.

"Art, please." She whispers and I raise my eyebrows innocently.

"Art? Really?" Val scoffs and I lean back to look at her.

"You don't look like a piece of Art right now." I wink at her and she scowls.

"What the fuck is that on your neck?" Val asks pointing to Marnie's neck. I furrow my eyebrows before looking at it to see a red and maroon patch on her skin.

"What?" Marnie asks softly touching the bruised skin and I am looking at her in confusion.

"Did she fucking give you that?" Val whispers so that Mrs Bennett can't hear us.

I give her an incredulous look. Before placing my hand on Marnie's face and turning her to look at me.

"First of all that is not a hickey, calm the fuck down, that is a solid bruise." I roll my eyes at her dramatics while Marnie just sits there confused.

"Oh that is from yesterday actually, I was taking out the shelves and they- uh- they-" She blushes furiously looking down and then pulling the hemp of her clothes embarrassed.

"Words," I tell her softly and she sighs.

"It fell on me. I have like a lot of those right now." She laughs softly and I lean back sighing.

A fucking shelf fell on her? What the fuck?

"That- wow that is something." Val laughs and so do I with her but then stop myself and feign a cough.

"Girls! How about you guys go do something until papa is here? He is stuck in traffic sorry darling." Mrs Bennett comes up to us and I smile at her.

"Sure, ma'am." I smile at her and she shakes her head.

"Please, call me Sam." She smiles and I nod before offering a hand to Marnie as we get up. Val offers me a glare and I grin at her as we stand up and Marnie gestures us towards what I assume is her room.

"Uh- this is my room." She mumbles looking around, Val stands in the corner of the room with her hands on her hips.

"I know," I said slowly and I heard a huff.

"Val?" I asked turning around slowly to see she had neared me and was making the action of choking me. I grinned when her eyes widened.

"Yes, Arthur?" She asked sweetly and I narrowed my eyes.

"Marnie is coming to my show. Make some excuse my dear." I grinned and she shook her head.

"Please." Marnie smiled making that puppy dog face before Val could say anything.

"Fuck fine." Val huffs throwing her hand up and I grin at her.

"Thank you." I smile and she rolls her eyes and that just makes me more amused.

"I am gonna go watch something. Do. Not. Fucking. Engage. In. Any. Fucking. Activity." She points and I raise my hands in mock surrender.

"We're just friends. What the hell Valerie?" Marnie snaps as Val slams the door.

"Sorry about her." She winces and I shrug.

"I'm guessing you love reading." I look around her room to see bookshelves upon bookshelves covering the entirety of her room.

"I do." She mutters softly wringing her hands and I grin at the gesture.

"Tell me what you do in your free time." I smile and her eyes widen a fraction before she stutters out a reply.

"Well, uh- I like to paint and I like to read. I actually read in this spot because there's a lot of sunlight. I also like candles, Apple scented. I really like the sun, have I told you that?" She asks looking up at me and I furrowed my brows. Of course, she had told me that but I shook my head.

"Nope, tell me about it." I smiled and she raised her eyebrows before starting on to why she preferred the sun over the moon.

Dinner went by as quick as the light and I did nothing but stare at her sitting opposite to me on the dining table. I answered the questions her parents asked avoided Valerie's unflinching gaze.

I wish I could hold her hand.

So here I was contemplating holding her hand as she walked me out of her home. I looked at her while she stared at her feet and wiggled her toes.

"Good night Mer." I whisper and she looks up grinning. I hold her warm hand softly.

"Good night Art." She smiles, I lean down and place a kiss on the bruise on her neck. I let my lips longer on that spot and feel her pulse right under my lips. Her hand unconsciously squeezes around mine and I grin on her skin.

Her heart is beating so fast.

"Bye." I whisper backing off to see her expression completely dazed and a blush on her cheeks.

"Uh- yeah, bye bye." She waved and I chuckled before getting on my motorcycle and heading back home.

Sorry I haven't updated been going through some shit :) I hope you like this chapter.

(If you're reading this please fucking talk to me, you know who you are <3)