As we pulled up to her house, she didn't move, more tears filling her eyes. I couldn't take it. I hated seeing her cry. Why did this have to keep happening? No one deserved this, let alone them. I wish there was something, anything I could do to take this pain away from her.

"It's gonna be okay." I said softly, taking her hand, gently rubbing my thumb across her palm. All I wanted was hold her, but this was all I could bring myself to do. My heart started beating faster as she looked down at our hands, and then eventually back up to me.

"Josh.. could I.. can I stay with you tonight?" She asked, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. My heart jumped at the thought. I stared back at her for a moment, not wanting to say anything stupid to ruin this moment.

"O-oh, um.. y-yeah. Yeah, sure.. of course." I said, starting the car again. For the short drive back, all I could think about was how badly I hoped everyone was already asleep. The last thing I wanted was to have to explain this to anyone right now, as I'm sure she didn't want to either.

I quietly guided her through the kitchen and up the stairs to my bedroom. I had thought about this happening.. more times than I could count, but never did I think it would be under these circumstances.

I carefully turned the knob, cautious of how loud my door was, quickly leading her inside and shutting it behind us. I watched her as she looked around, eventually sitting down at the foot of my bed. I did a quick scan, hoping there was nothing lying out that could be embarrassing in anyway. Knowing my luck, she'd stumble upon the countless songs I had written for her that hadn't quite made it out to the garage yet.

Going over to my dresser, I pulled out an old t-shirt and pair of shorts for her to wear.

"I'm.. gonna go get washed up. You can get changed if you want, I.. I figured you'd be more comfortable." I said, handing her my clothes. She looked up at me, her eyes still sad, but forcing a smile.

"Thank you, Josh."

I nodded, giving her a gentle smile before going out into the hall, quietly shutting the door behind me.

"What's going on?"

I jumped, turning around to see Jake smirking back at me, standing in his doorway, his arms tightly crossed against his chest.

"Nothing's going on." I whispered, quickly making my way into the bathroom. I could hear him following me.

"Is she here?" He asked, staring back at me through the mirror. I rummaged through the cabinets, pulling out my toothbrush. His smile grew.

"She's here, isn't she? You snuck her into your room?"

"Will you stop? You're gonna wake everyone up." I mumbled, my mouth now full of toothpaste. He shook his head, giggling to himself.

"So what happened? Is her mom okay? Is she spending the night?" I tried my best to ignore him, but I could tell there was no shaking him.

"Her mom was checked in and we're gonna go see her tomorrow. She asked if she could stay over cause she didn't want to be alone and-"

"And you're getting cleaned up in case something happens." He giggled to himself. I shook my head, my face now feeling like it was on fire.

I hated that he was right.

"Of course nothing is going to happen." I said, splashing my face with water. "She's upset, I'm just.. I just want her to know I'm here for her."

"Mhm. I'm sure you are." I shot him a look.

"Well.." He finally said, backing out of the bathroom. "As shitty as the situation is.. I'm happy for you. I hope.. something happens." I waved him off, trying my best to contain my smile as I heard him quietly make his way back to his bedroom, softly shutting the door behind him.

After drying off my face, I looked back at myself in the mirror, taking a deep breath before making my way back to my bedroom. Nothing was going to happen. I don't know why I was even getting myself worked up. For all I knew she was already sleeping.

Before turning the knob, I gently knocked on the door, not wanting to walk in on her if she was still changing.

"Come in." She laughed. I popped my head in to see her sitting back down on my bed, now wearing my clothes. Never has that shirt looked as good as it did on her.

It was hers now.

"You don't have to knock, it's your room." She said. I shrugged, shutting the door behind me.

"Of course I do." I said simply, now going into the closet, pulling out my spare pillows and blankets. She sat in silence, watching me make up my bed on my floor, eventually lying down in it.

"Oh, that.. that's not for me?" She asked. I couldn't help but smile, shaking my head.

"Of course not. You get the bed." I said, flashing her a wide grin. As if I would ever let her sleep on the floor. And I knew that tomorrow when I went to sleep, my bed would smell just like her.

Her smile grew as she lied down, clutching one of my pillows up against her. Propping my head up on my hand, I couldn't help but admire just how effortlessly beautiful she was. What I would give to be able to be right there with her. She then rolled over, peeking down at me. My heart jumped as her eyes met mine.

"You should go to sleep." I whispered. "It's late."

"So should you." She sighed. I shrugged, unable to wipe the grin from my face. It was impossible not to smile when I got lost in those eyes.

"I'll be okay."

She held her stare on me and all I could do was wonder what she was thinking, especially at a time like this. I knew she was probably worried sick, and I felt guilty for thinking about being with her at a time like this.

"Josh.." She finally said, breaking our silence. I sat back up to face her.

"Yeah?" She bit down on her lip, hesitating for a moment.

"Could you.. um.."

"What is it?" I laughed nervously, hoping she hadn't changed her mind about everything. But even if she did, I'd have no problem taking her home. Whatever she needed, I would do anything for her.

"Could you.. stay up here with me?" She finally asked. I felt my entire body get hot. She wanted me to lay with her? I tried my best to stay calm, already feeling my heart start to beat faster, and I knew if I was laying with her, there was no doubt that she would feel it.

"Oh.. y-yeah." I finally managed. "I.. y-yeah, sure.. whatever you need, Jaime."

I got up, carefully sitting down next to her. She instantly moved over, lifting the covers to make room for me. I hesitated for a moment, peeking over at her before cautiously maneuvering under, making sure not to get too close, despite just how badly I wanted to be. I was lucky enough she wanted me this close. I wasn't going to push it. Not unless she did.

She then reached over for my hand, intertwining our fingers once again. My heart jumped, a smile escaping my lips. How amazing something an innocent as just holding her hand could feel; just being held by her, in whatever way made me feel.. so safe.

I sighed, slowly shifting closer to her, my face getting hot as my leg pressed up against hers.

"It's gonna be okay, Jaime." I whispered, just wanting to do anything I could to comfort her. I couldn't imagine what she was going through, I just knew that I would do everything in my power to be there for her through it all, no matter how she needed me to be.

And then I saw tears in her eyes again.

"Jaime.." I sighed, wrapping my arm around her, now pulling her up against me. She instantly wrapped her around around my stomach, hiding her face in my chest. I was sure she could hear the thundering beating of my heart, now echoing in her ears.

It wasn't fair. I had dreamt about having this moment with her.. forever. But my dreams typically ended with her wrapped around me, neither of us able to contain our beaming smiles, wanting nothing more than our eager lips to finally be met in pining kisses, long overdue. Smitten and spellbound, at last immersed within new lover's yearning embrace.

"It's going to be okay, Jaime. I'm here. I'll always be here." I whispered into her ear, gently gliding my fingertips up and down her back. I felt her grip on me get tighter, pulling me in closer as her muffled cries slowly turned to soft breaths against my neck. I turned to her, holding her close as I leaned my forehead against hers, feeling my eyelids start to get heavier, but forced myself to stay awake as long as possible, not wanting to miss a second in case come the morning, it was nothing but a dream.