MIA

"Is the food bad?" Jackson asked, noticing my slow eating pace. It wasn't because the food was bad, I mean, who doesn't love mac and cheese?

It was because of what happened after the meal; cuddling with Jackson, my heart has been racing nonstop since I said yes, making me want to curse my damn hormones.

"No, of course not. It's really yummy. I'm just a slow eater," I replied, trying to brush off his observation.

"You're lying again," he remarked, his voice deep and eyes fixed on mine. couldn't tear my eyes away from the way his arms flexed, his muscles taut as he folded them across his chest.

"No, I'm not," I insisted, hoping to sound convincing.

He chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "You are," he said, his voice dripping with amusement, never breaking eye contact.

"Whatever, I'm full," I blurted out, my eyes widening as the words escaped my lips. Why did I say that?

"Good," he responded, quickly getting up and taking the dishes from the table. I wanted to object, but he was already in the kitchen. It didn't take long before he returned.

Is he really serious about cuddling with me? Isn't that something only couples do?

I gulped down the glass of water on the table, feeling torn between going along with it and wanting to run away. The pain in my stomach had lessened a bit, maybe I could use that as an excuse to leave.

But I want him close to me.

"Arghh, make up your mind, Mia," I whined, gently tapping my head on the table.

"It's okay if you don't want to," his voice interrupted my thoughts. I lifted my face, meeting his gaze. "You've been anxious ever since I mentioned cuddling. I know it's a bit weird, but I thought it might make you feel better," he explained, and a wave of guilt washed over me.

"No, I..." I began, but he cut me off.

"Really, it's okay. Let me get the bear, or do you want to go to your room? It's getting late, and Maddy might come back from school, so I should leave," he suggested.

No! Don't go!

I sighed, feeling sadness engulf me. "I want to go to my room," I said, knowing I had ruined the moment. Our moment.

He pursed his lips and nodded. He seemed okay with my decision, but I could see the sparkle in his beautiful eyes fade, and it hurt to see them lose their shine once more.

He walked closer, gently lifting me from the chair. "Hope it's okay if I carry you like this," he said, his voice filled with a touch of sadness.

"Yeah, it's cool," I whispered, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck as he effortlessly carried me up the stairs. A nervous lump formed in my throat as I mustered the courage to tell him that I'd changed my mind. I didn't want him to leave; I wanted him to stay.

"That one," I pointed to my room, noticing his confusion about which door to enter. He nodded silently, and the silence felt heavy, like I deserved it.

He opened the door, and suddenly I felt embarrassed about the way the room was decorated. "Still the same," he muttered under his breath. I was surprised he even remembered how it looked, and it made me smile a little.

"Here we go," he announced softly, setting me down gently on my bed. Reluctantly, I released my embrace, not wanting to let go of the warmth and comfort of his arms. It felt so right, so safe.

Shifting my body, I tried to find the perfect position, taking deep breaths to steady my racing heart. I mustered the courage to speak, my voice slightly shaky, "Jack—"

"Oh, shit, the herbal drink! Let me get it for you, so you won't have to climb back down. I'll be right back," he rushed out of the room. He returned within minutes, placing the drink on the table, leaving me to stare at him once again.

I couldn't stop looking at him, and I didn't want to ever stop.

But deep down, I knew I had to.

"Okay, all set," he smiled warmly, his eyes filled with genuine care. "Don't worry, I'll use the backdoor since I know how to lock it." His hand playfully ruffled my hair, a gentle gesture that made my heart skip a beat. He was about to leave when I instinctively reached out, grabbing his hand and pulling him back towards me.

"Is there a problem? Do you need anything else?" Yes, you! My inner self screamed out, and for some reason, it felt right to say.

"Let's... cuddle," I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

"What?" His brows furrowed slightly in surprise, his eyes searching mine for confirmation.

I cleared my throat, trying to steady my nerves as I repeated, "I said let's cuddle."

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips, "I know. I just wanted to be sure I heard it right," he chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving mine.

I nervously coughed, shifting myself to the edge of the bed, making room for him to join me. We sat there, a small distance apart, just staring into each other's eyes as the silence became comfortable.

"You sure?" he asked again.

"Of course... It's no biggie," I lied through my teeth. It was a huge deal, but I didn't want to ruin the moment. "Just so you know, you're my human teddy, so if I feel pain, don't be upset if I squeeze you for comfort," I reminded him of the real reason why I agreed to this.

Maybe not the full reason.

He chuckled warmly, shifting his body closer to mine. "I know. So..." he settled his back against the bed, his posture inviting me to join him. "Come here," he turned towards me, his eyes inviting me to take the next step.

Thump, thump. My heart raced as I nervously gulped, inching my body closer until my head found its resting place on his solid chest. "Okay, now we're... cuddling," I managed to say.

"Not exactly," he laughed softly, his hand finding mine and guiding it to rest against his body. His other hand gently pulled me closer, closing the remaining distance between us.

"Now we're cuddling," he whispered into my ear, and I couldn't help but blush, grateful that he couldn't see the rosy hue spreading across my cheeks.

"Oh, yeah, we are," I stammered, which made him laugh fully. The sound of his laughter sent chills down my body. I nestled my face against his chest, holding him tightly as he reciprocated the embrace.

"Sorry, I hope the pain has stopped now," he spoke softly, his fingers delicately running through my hair, soothing me with each gentle touch. His other hand tenderly patted my back.

"What pain? Oh, yes, the pain. It had lessened now. Thank you," I wasn't actually in pain, I just wanted to hold him close because we might never get this chance again. He felt right with me, but it shouldn't be.

I can't keep falling.

My heart raced as I laid on him, the sunlight casting a gentle glow around us. I could feel the warmth of his body next to mine, sending shivers of nervous excitement through me. Nestling closer to him, I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Each thud filled me with a rush of emotions—nervousness, exhilaration, and a deep longing.

I could hear his breathing, slow and steady, echoing softly in the room. It was a comforting sound, like a lullaby that soothed my racing thoughts. The scent of his cologne surrounded me, enveloping me in his presence. It was a scent that was uniquely his, one that I had come to associate with warmth and safety.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, allowing myself to be consumed by the intoxicating aroma. Jack's arms tightened around me, pulling me closer, and my heart skipped a beat. His embrace felt like a sanctuary, a place where I could forget about the worries of the outside world.

With my cheek pressed against his chest, I felt the rise and fall of his breathing, a comforting rhythm that filled me with peace. In that moment, lying beside the boy I adored, beneath the soft glow of the moon, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. And as we lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, I knew that it was a moment I would treasure forever.

My eyelids finally grew heavy, and I surrendered to the embrace of sleep. In the darkness, only the steady beat of Jackson's heart and the gentle touch of his hand through my hair remained.

When I woke up, I was startled by how close we were. We had moved closer in our sleep, almost touching. Soft light illuminated his face, and I couldn't help but be amazed by his beauty.

He wasn't just good-looking; he was absolutely stunning. Every feature seemed perfect, like a work of art. It was as if a magical glow highlighted his face, making him appear extraordinary.

Without thinking, I reached out and ran my fingers through his messy hair, tucking a few strands behind his ear. I couldn't take my eyes off him. His long eyelashes rested against his cheeks, casting delicate shadows. They added a touch of mystery to his closed eyes, making him even more captivating.

His skin had a warm, flawless glow, as if it was touched by sunlight. It was so smooth and inviting, begging to be touched. I longed to trace the contours of his face, to discover every detail and feel his softness.

And then there were his lips—plump and enticing, with a natural, rosy color. They looked so soft and tender, awakening a desire within me. In that moment, I couldn't help but imagine the sweetness of a kiss, the warmth they would bring.

"Mia, you're such a creep," I muttered under my breath.

How could I have thought it was a good idea to this close to him? 

My heart raced, thumping loudly in my chest, betraying the calm exterior I tried to maintain. With a careful motion, I gently removed his hand from my waist, attempting to create some distance between us. But before I could retreat any further, he surprised me by pulling me closer, his grip firm yet strangely gentle. I looked up, meeting his sleepy yet undeniably sexy gaze. His brown eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a jolt of electricity course through my veins.

"Where are you going?" His voice, deeper and huskier than usual, sent shivers down my spine. It was a voice that demanded attention, a voice I couldn't help but be drawn to.

"I... I'm thirsty," I stammered, my mouth suddenly dry. I desperately searched for a reasonable excuse, my mind racing with the need to keep my composure.

His face contorted into a frown, disappointment etched in his features. "You should have woken me up then," he murmured, his voice laced with a hint of frustration. He shifted slightly, stretching his body, and I found myself shamelessly observing his every move, unable to tear my eyes away.

"I'll go get it," he announced, breaking our close connection as he got up and headed towards the door.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, jolting me from my thoughts. I wondered who it could be. It wasn't Maddy's usual time to return. I rose slowly, my legs carrying me towards the door, anticipation building within me.

But just as I approached the door, my steps halted abruptly. A voice, filled with disbelief and anger, pierced through the silence.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!"

   Ethan?!

.....