Hayden

I glanced at the clock, watching Ocean head up the stairs. It was only eight o'clock, so I decided to head into my music room. I walked over to my music room, glancing around to make sure nobody was around out of habit now knowing that Ocean was living here. Pulling out my keys, I unlocked the door.
Once inside I closed the door behind me. I walked over to my drum kit. Pulling out my sticks, I ran my hand over the smooth wood that made up the shell of my high tom. My drumkit consisted of a base drum, floor tom, snare drum, medium tom, high tom, crash cymbal, ride cymbal, and high-hat. Switching my snares off, I sat down pulling the stool closer to properly reach the pedals for the high-hat and base drum.

Starting off with a simple shuffle groove, I let the rhythm play with my inner tempo. Before long, I was whisked away in the music and my hands moved on their own accord playing unique and funky patterns.

Glancing at the clock I saw that it was now ten thirty. Later than I had originally thought.

I packed my stuff away absentmindedly. I was off in my own world. Walking out of my music room I didn't even check that the door had closed properly behind me. by the time I somewhat came back to the world I had already made it up the stairs and was standing in the doorway of my room. Glancing around I noticed a light glowing from under Oceans door.

Shrugging it off I went to get changed. I slipped into my camo pajama pants that all my friends made fun of me for. I was about to lay down when something flashed in my mind. I tried to brush it off, but I felt very uneasy.
I grabbed shirt and pulled it over my head before stepping back into the hallway. I slowly walked over to Oceans door. For some reason or another I felt nervous. I knocked lightly before I pressed my ear to the door listening for any noise. Hearing nothing, I opened the door slightly before calling out softly, "Ocean?"
Nothing.
I opened the door now, curiously but cautiously.
Glancing around the room, my gaze softened as it landed on Ocean. She was laying in her bed; a book open on her chest. Her glasses were askew, and her legs and arms were covered with goosebumps. Walking as quitly as I could into the room, I came close enough to grab the book off the chest and slid in the bookmark that was laying next to her bed. On her bedside table I noticed a picture of three people. Picking it up I brought it closer to my face to get a closer look. I saw the child was unmistakably Ocean, but the man didn't look like Lucas. Well, they look similar, but I could almost guarantee it wasn't him. The woman was obviously Oceans mother. In fact, Ocean was a spitting image of her mother with the same brightly coloured hair and soft jawline. Putting the picture back I grabbed Oceans glasses and set them neatly on her bedside table.
I watched her shivering figure for a moment, taking note of a large scar on her leg. I gently pulled the blanket out from under her trying to make the movements slow and nearly undetectable for her.
Pulling the blankets over her, I noticed a small smile graced her lips. She curled up slightly under the blanket.
She looked angelic while sleeping.
I stepped away from her, realizing how creepy I was being.
I walked back to the door flicking off the lights when I heard a distressed groan. Glancing back at the I noticed that she had left the peaceful state she'd been in. Her body was twitching frantically. For a moment I was afraid. What was going on.
Glancing at her again, her face was hit by the pale moonlight. I could see tears running from her eyes. Her skin looked pale and ghostly. The bead of sweat the ran down her face were shining.
"Ocean." I found my self speaking to her sleeping figure.
Her body shook and seeing her in pain hurt me. I didn't understand why but the fear on her face made me feel sad.
"Ocean." I said again, this time my voice broke slightly as I released the door letting it swing closed as I stepped towards her bed. This time she seemed to react to it.
"Ocean." I said one last time hoping she would hear me.
Her body shot up into a seated position. I felt my heart soar but drop as I saw the tears on her face.
I said her name again hoping she would recognize I wasn't a threat as I placed my hand on hers.
Although she wasn't the strongest person I had encountered, when her grip on my hand tightened, I was very surprised and in a bit of pain. I didn't care to much though.
I felt the need to reassure her, so I spoke softly. "Ocean it was just a dream."
When Ocean shook her head, I became confused. It was late at night, so I was unable to piece out what she meant.
Suddenly her breathing became very uneven. The breaths were short and choked. Her whole world was out I realized. I placed my hand on her back trying to steady her shaking figure.
"Ocean your safe." I felt tears filled my own eyes as her control spiraled. I close my eyes, trying to keep the tear from falling.
"Hayden."
A voice so broken and soft spoke. The first word I had heard from her. My eyes flew open as I stood, leaning slightly over her.
Her tear were still pouring, but I suddenly had hope.
"Hayden." The fear and sorrow that dropped off every letter was enough to cause a tear to drop. I felt myself collapse onto the bed beside her. My arms were wrapped fully around her as close as I could. Feeling her face pressed into my chest I whispered.
"I'm here."
The tears were soaking though my t-shirt, but I didn't mind. Her breathing became less choked and more sob like.
I felt her grip my shirt with both hands pulling me close. Feeling slightly surprised I held her close.
""Hush, I'm here." I spoke to her softly, hoping to bring her comfort. Her tears continued pouring but there seemed to be something different about these ones. The whole time I sat with her while she cried, words slipped from my mouth. I couldn't stop them. It's like I had lost control and she was the one who had taken over.
"Ocean, you're safe." I said, hoping it would help but it made her cry harder.
I. Sat holding her, occasionally rocking her from side to side. I didn't care about the fact that it was getting very late. I didn't feel tired. I felt needed.
Needed.
For the first time I felt needed.
I found slight joy in this.
Her breathing began to slow, and it steadied as her head shifted slightly. Her ear now lay against my chest as the last tear fell.
I couldn't leave her.
I just couldn't. I tried to, but I felt I shouldn't. Her hand that had relaxed against my shirt immediately became fists again.
I just couldn't.
Sighing to myself, I slipped under the blanket, hoping she wouldn't mind. My back was becoming sore from sitting up, so I laid down pulling Ocean into my arms.
Her fists didn't relax until I finally conformed with her,
"I'm not going anywhere."
Her grip relaxed, and I found myself very uncomfortable.
The material of my shirt was very rough. Turning away I found myself pulling off my shirt before looking down at Ocean. Her body had started shaking again. I lay back down pulling her close.
As I watched her eyes slip closed, I let two words slip by mistake. "Goodnight beautiful."
I watched as her lips displayed a small smile as she rested herself close to me.
Wrapping one hand around her back, I held her close.
Oceans hand rested on my chest, making my skin tingle.
Pressing a kiss to her forehead I found a welcoming darkness that bought me into a beautiful paradise, filled with her smile.