Ocean

Laying on the couch, I no longer felt tired. Hayden was restless on the bed as well. I tried to slow my breathing so it wouldn't bother him as I lay as still as I could. I didn't want to disturb him if he was still awake.

Maybe my silence would help him fall asleep. I was of course, probably the reason he couldn't sleep. I was probably too annoying and needy.

I wish I could just not exist. Just vanish into thin air for a bit. It would be better for the world. Hayden would feel better. I wouldn't get in the way.

I felt sick to my stomach. I silently prayed that it wouldn't make a sound. I wanted to cry, to scream, to run around, to do something. Every time I heard Hayden move the skin on my neck lit up. Almost like he was touching it again.

It left me with the horrible feeling. I wanted to get up and do something, but I forced myself to lay still. I could leave when Hayden was asleep.

I heard the bed creak and I shut my eyes. The footsteps walked away from me, and I heard the door open softly before shutting even softer.

I lay waiting for what felt like hours but was only 5 minutes

Finally, I sat up glancing around the dark room. Hayden was gone. i reached over to where i assumed my glasses lay on the table. 

Bingo. 

Maybe he went to get water.

But he would be back by now.

Emotions raced in my head as I stood slowly and headed to the door.

I walked as quietly as I could down the stairs. I paused, halfway down to watch as Hayden picked up the bowls left from today.

As he stood up, his back straightened. He stood still for a moment, and I held my breath. He turned sharply to the stairs. Even at a distance, Hayden looked big. He had himself pulled to his full height and his shoulders were squared, pulling his t-shirt tight against his chest.

Our eyes met and he stood there, just staring at me. His posture was still rigid, his expression was in a stern resting face.

Slowly, he relaxed his posture relaxed and he placed the bowls down. His expression softened to a light smile.

"Ocean." he spoke softly. I finally let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

He walked toward the stairs, and I slowly descended the last couple steps.

"Hey, is everything ok?" Hayden peered down at me. "Did I wake you up?"

I slowly shook my head. I brushed past him to grab the bowls from where he left them.

"Why are you up?" He followed me as I made for the kitchen. I shrugged and set the bowls down next to the sink. I switched on the tap and let the water run warm before closing the drain and adding soap. I watched as the water bubbled up and turned of the tap once the sink was almost full. Hayden was still asking me questions, most of which I was ignoring.

I headed back to the living room to collect the last couple dishes with Hayden still on my tail.

I placed the dishes with the popcorn bowls and dipped my hand in the water to test the temperature. As I leaned over the sink, my glasses fogged slightly from the heat.

"Ocean," Hayden grabbed me by the waist and turned me around to face him. "Would yo..."

It was his mistake for turning me when my hand was in the soapy water, to be completely honest. The good handful of Dish foam to the face was enough to shut him up.

As we stood there, I tried not to laugh. But a white beard did not suit Hayden.

I honestly could not stop the giggle that escaped my lips.

"Really?" Was all Hayden could ask, his disappointment showing on his face. I simply shook my head and turned back and got started on the dishes.

I placed the first clean dish on the counter only for it to be snatched up by Hayden.

Now it was my turn to glare at him.

"What?" He asked as he dried the plate. "I'm not going to let you do all the work. "

I rolled my eyes and got back to cleaning the dishes. Hayden tried to strike up conversation as we worked but I didn't really respond so he just kind of talked to me. I mean I did learn some new things, like that he really liked the colour red, his favorite sport was swimming, and he really liked to work out. I didn't know that he would normally hit the gym before he went home from work.

When Hayden ran out of things to talk about, and awkward kind of silence settled over us.

Hayden began humming again, a different song then he was earlier.

He placed the last plate down as I finished draining the sink. The kitchen now looked presentable.

I smiled at him, nodding along to his humming as I excited the kitchen. Although Hayden had tried to clean up, it was still a disaster. Pillows and blankets were scattered all over the room. I began collecting, tucking the extra blankets back into the space in the Footstool. I collected the pillows and began arranging them on the couch. I glanced up momentarily to see where Hayden had disappeared to. As though summoned by the simple thought of him, he appeared from the kitchen.

"Hey Ocean?" Hayden glanced up at me from his phone. "Do you know this song?"

I straightened the last couple couch pillows. Waiting for him to play the song he questioned me about, I was already starting to regret this.

The beginning of the song gave it away immediately and I simply glared at Hayden. it was unmistakably an Elvis Presley song. The Elvis song. Can't Help Falling IN love. Real Funny Hayden. Absolutely hilarious.

I fixed up the last pillow as Hayden grabbed my hands and pulled me into a dance. he sang along to the sappy song. Not well but I'll humor it.

"Take my hand," Hayden ginned as he pulled me close, "Take my whole life too. For I can't help falling in love with you"

Our slow dance that was clumsy but charming. Despite the cheesiness of the music and the off key singing I couldn't help but grin at his antics. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.