Hayden

It had been a long couple weeks for both of us. I know this for sure since Ocean is steadily looking more exhausted and she has been working overtime.

She's been working until 8, when I come to the office it get her. Christmas was nearing, therefore both companies were very busy. It's finally Friday and Lucas let her leave at 5:30 today so we were both at home on time.

I sat on the couch, listening to the music I was playing off the speakers. I scrolled through Instagram, sometimes glancing into the kitchen to see how Ocean was doing. I finally got up, to see if she needed any help only to realize she was already scooping the food onto plates.

I watched as she filled a plate for me leaving hers very bare. At least she was eating I thought to myself.

I watched out of the corner of my eye as she popped a pill into her mouth. She was trying to ensure I hadn't seen it, but I noticed. It had been a couple weeks since she started but I knew if she wanted me to know, I would know.

Sitting down at the table, I stopped the music, leaving us to eat in silence. I loved her food, although I would never admit that out loud. Glancing up I made eye contact with her.

The new glasses suited her face really well. I guess they weren't really new anymore, as they were almost a month old.

She was pushing the food around her plate. When she saw me looking, she did a double take before she covered her mouth and her shoulders started to shake. Seeing her do this scared me until I saw the light in her eyes. Something was making her laugh. I was making her laugh.

"What?" I asked a piece of food falling out of my mouth as I did so.
Ocean simply laughed harder.
Finally I asked her "Want to watch a movie?"
She froze, confused. Slowly she nodded.

Sweet I though. Once I finished my dinner and I made sure she had one bite of her I cleaned up the plates.

I watched as she darted out of the kitchen. Something about her seemed off. She is tiny and seems very fragile.

I walked out into the quite living room. I could faintly hear the steady rain hitting the roof. The wind was ripping at the trees. It was quite stormy out I realized. Glancing around my eyes found Ocean sitting on he couch already, huddled in a blanket.

To my surprise, on the coffee table lay a sheet of paper. I picked it up to read what was written on it. How to Train Your Dragon. I recalled watching that movie when I was younger. it was a comfort movie for. was it strange that she wanted to see it? A little. was I going to react? No

Grabbing the remote, I sat down on the couch. A loud rumble of thunder sounded off in the distance. Great a storm. Not that it bothered me.

Starting up the movie, I relaxed into the couch. Glancing to her I saw the intrigue in her eyes. It was mixed with something else that I couldn't place.
Trying to be sneaky, I slid my arm onto the back of the couch behind her. She rested her head back against it, just as a flash of lighting was seen through the glass doors.
Ocean jumped slightly and shook when thunder rumbled right after.
I glanced down at Oceans huddled figure, pulling her close. She was probably cold.

The thunder continued as did Oceans shivering. About half an hour into the movie, the lights flickered.
Oceans hand grabbed mine as the lights flickered again.
The lightning and thunder that followed was expected for me. Oceans grip on my hand tightened and I glanced down at her. The light made her look even paler, and I saw fear clearly written on her face.

Her fragile body shook slightly. I pulled her onto my lap, in hopes to comfort her.
"Ocean," I started softly, "you're safe."
She turned and burred her face into my chest, letting go of my hand to grip my shirt.
"Ocean...are you scared of storms?"
I felt her nod against my chest.
Although I easily could have pulled her off me, I didn't. I didn't want too either.

The lights flickered again before going out completely.
Great timing I thought to myself sarcastically.
I pulled Ocean close to me, rubbing light circles into her back. Once she had calmed. Down slightly, I pulled myself away from her. She didn't protest, which saddened me.
"I'll. Be right back, ok?" I rested my hand on her cheek, letting the lightning illuminate her face.
Walking away from her was the hardest thing for me to do.
I know I had broken one of the rules we had made together, and I would pay dearly at the end of the year.
I found what I was looking for, three battery powered candles.

Making my way back to the living room, I saw that Ocean wasn't there. Turning on the candles, I took a deep breath trying not to panic. Looking around the minimally lit room, I finally saw the corner of the blanket Ocean had been using sticking out from behind the couch.

I walked over and reached in, hoping she was here.

When my hand made contact with her back, it was greeted with a shriek. I managed to snake it partly around her, pulling her out from behind the couch.

Once she was out of the confined space, she began to struggle. Although she didn't have much to her, when her knee caught me in the side by surprise, I stumbled.

She used my moment of weakness against me, spinning out of my grasp and to her feet.

"Ocean." I spoke in my most soothing voice. When she turned to me, making eye contact, I was terrified.

The lightning that streaked across the sky illuminated part of her face, making it look even more shadowed. The split second of light made her look hollow. Dead. The bone chilling thunder only left me wonder who the hell was in my house. This girl seemed inhuman.
Until the next flash of lightning, that is.

Ocean's face suddenly read pure terror. She bent her head in submission to me. She stood so still, more still than I thought someone could. She was waiting for something. I had no idea what, but something.

"Ocean." I spoke as I stepped closer to her tiny figure. "Come here." I slid my arms around her tiny hips, letting my hand a rest on the small of her back.

She didn't move. Slowly, I pulled her into my chest. She suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck. I could feel her nails digging slightly into my skin as she fisted the back of my shirt.

Pulling her along I sat down on the couch. I could feel her heart beating and her breathing was harsh. Her face was pressed into my chest.

I had, for the first time in my life, no idea what to do.