- 18; One Direction -
- This Love; Taylor Swift -
- Painkiller; Ruel -
- She; Harry Styles - 

Carter Jackson

Warmth surrounded me as I slowly began to gain consciousness. The feeling of something -- or someone -- pressed against me caused my eyes to snap open, confused as to why someone was laying in my bed with me.

Then I remembered last night.

I'd come home from hanging out with Elijah to see Rory standing on our doorstep. She had tears running down her face, and her hands had blood all over them. It was the scariest sight I'd seen in a while, which says a lot considering not a lot scares me.

The way she broke down simply by saying my name, the way her breathing grew heavy and she began to hyperventilate broke my heart. Just knowing what her mother did to her makes me angry enough to want to retaliate, but I know that's not something Rory would want.

My head tilted down, looking at the sleeping girl in my arms. We didn't fall at the same time, let alone tangled up in each other like this. She was on one side of the bed and I was on the other, her on her side as I laid on my back watching the cartoons I'd put on.

But somehow, after I fell asleep, we scooted together. Her legs were tangled with mine, one arm draped over the side of me while the other lay smushed between our torsos. I had one arm underneath her head as her pillow while the other lay over her, holding onto the blanket covering us. It was warm, and butterflies exploded in my stomach at the close proximity.

My eyes shut as I laid my head back down, taking in the moment. Part of me wanted to respect her space and let her go, but part of me wanted to hold on tighter. I didn't know what time it was, but right now I didn't care. I just want to stay like this all day.

It's been so long since I've held someone like this, let alone had someone hold me like this. It felt nice, even nicer than anyone else I've ever held.

Is that cheesy? God, I hope not. That's cringe.

My eyes opened again, looking down at her. I couldn't get a good look at her face because he was curled up into the crook of my neck, but I saw her hair sprawled out on the bed behind her. I lightly ran my fingers through it, trying my best to avoid the knots that formed overnight. I was gentle with it, almost as if I was afraid to break her.

A light snoring sound left her mouth, but to me, it sounded more like a little whimper than an actual snore. It was cute, as much as I wouldn't want to admit it out loud.

I froze in my place as Rory moved, fear running through me that she wouldn't like that I was holding her. I know I should let go of her, considering this could be something she doesn't want, but I was kind of trapped. Looking around, I noticed we were on my side of the bed.

This means she was the one that cuddled closer to me...

Unless I was the one that pulled her really close to me, but surely if I had done that she'd have woken up, right?

Right?

I shut my eyes, my body still as Rory adjusted. She moved the hand that was smashed between our torsos, shoving it underneath my body. It tickled as her fingertips grazed my sides, but I held any laughter in due to not wanting to wake her up.

Even though there was a shirt preventing her from touching my skin, it still lit my body on fire as I felt her touch me. It was as if she was touching my skin, sending electricity through my body at such a simple touch.

Her arm fully wrapped around my side that was laying on the bed, landing right on my back. She pulled me closer, her head nuzzling further into my neck. She held onto me tightly, almost as if she were too afraid to let go.

I hesitantly held her tighter, my left arm wrapped around her waist. She nuzzled her head once again, and this time her lips pressed against the crook of my neck as she did so. That was enough for me to freeze once again, the feeling of her lips against my skin enough to make my insides do somersaults.

She wasn't kissing my neck, but the simple touch to my skin made me go crazy as if she were. This was the most intimate we've ever been, and as much as I loved holding her like this I knew I needed to put an end to it.

This isn't something she wants, and I'm not the type of guy to disrespect someone like that.

"Rory," I mumbled, my voice husky from sleep. She didn't move, didn't react at all which made this ten times harder. "Ror," I said again, gently rubbing her back. "You're sleepy."

"Yeah, that's why I'm sleeping," She responded, much to my surprise. It was sarcastic, much like she'd been when I first met her. It made me smile, simply because this meant she was slowly going back to how she usually was.

That's how I like her the most, which is when she is herself.

"You're awake?" I asked, still shocked that she wasn't freaking out about how close we were. She usually gets flustered so easily, so to see she knew what she was doing confused me as the whole reason I was waking her up is so she knew she wasn't doing something she'd regret later.

"Am I talking to you?" She asked sarcastically. Her face was still nuzzled in my neck, causing her words to vibrate in my neck as she spoke. My stomach swarmed with butterflies, my eyes darting everywhere else but at her.

"I just thought you wouldn't want to wake up--" I stopped, feeling awkward all of a sudden. I didn't usually feel at such a loss for words from someone before, so every time I couldn't think of what to say I found myself feeling awkward because it's just never happened before.

It was silent at first, Rory not responding. Just as I tried to think of something else to say, she finally spoke up. "Oh," It sounded defeated, and kind of upsetting. She pulled her hands away from me, her head leaving the crook of my neck. I immediately felt cold, and I watched as she slipped to the other side of the bed shyly. "I see."

"No, I don't mind." I quickly told her, seeing the sad look on her face. "I mean, I didn't want you to wake up and freak out--" I propped myself up on my elbow. "I just wanted to respect your space," I added quickly, picking at my nails.

I'm usually not one to be so... weird around people. I don't care what people think, and I don't usually be so careful when I'm talking to people.

But there was something about Rory that made me want to think about everything I say before I say it. She's sensitive, and I can see that. She's been through a lot and the last thing she needs is another person she trusts hurting her the way Paige and the others have.

"Oh," She said again, this time in a realization. "Sorry." She murmured, her voice soft and deep due to just waking up.

She rubbed her eyes, the bags underneath a little baggy due to the sleep still in her eyes. She looked adorable, laying on the other side of my bed the way she was.

I cleared my throat, ignoring the feelings in my stomach. "Did- did you sleep okay?" I asked, my eyes bouncing from her to my hands in front of me.

"Yeah, actually. I did." She admitted, sitting up in the bed. "What time is it?"

I leaned back, reaching for my phone that was sitting on the nightstand. When I grabbed it, ignored the abundance of notifications on my phone to look at the time. "11:18," I answered, locking it after. I rested it on my chest, looking at her. "Was there anything you needed to do today?"

"Not besides the party tonight," She said. "I do need to change though. I'm still wearing your clothes."

My eyes drifted down to the shirt she was wearing, a soft smile covering my features. She looked cute, and the clothes were pretty baggy on her due to the fact that I wear a bigger size than her.

She slipped from the bed, gently pulling the comforter up and organizing it to the best of her abilities. I just watched her, her eyes not leaving the thick blanket as she did so. "I'm going to go brush my teeth." She announced when she was finished, running a hand through her knotted hair. "Would you be willing to drive me home?"

"Of course," I told her, to which she just smiled in return. She slowly made her way from the bed to the door, not giving another glance as she walked to the guest bathroom.

As soon as she left, I slipped from the bed. I did as she did and made the bed, making sure to get rid of any wrinkles and smoothing the material out so it looked like it hadn't been slept in at all. I grabbed some clothes for the day before walking into my bathroom, shutting and locking the door behind me.

While I got ready, my mind kept finding its way to Rory. She was just something else. I can't tell for sure what she thinks of me, because there are times when she's open and other times she's closed off, but I think it's more because she's not used to it.

She's used to her family and Paige, which isn't good for her. She hasn't had the opportunity to live a normal life, all because she's so used to people controlling her. They make all the decisions for her and tell her what they think is right for her.

And don't get me started on her mother.

The fact that Vivienne Holland would even think to put her hands on Rory is ridiculous. She does nothing but listen to everyone all the time, yet they make her think she's always doing something wrong. That she deserves every bad thing that happens to her.

I know I can't fix Rory and the mindset that Paige and her mother have put in her mind. I'm not the type of person who's ever wanted to fix anyone, simply because their problems are their problems, and not mine. It's none of my business and I don't usually care to certain extents. But with Rory? Something inside me just wants to snap my fingers and cause all of her problems to go away.

Okay, now that's cheesy as fuck.

After I finished getting ready for the day, I ran my fingers through my hair and re-entered my bedroom. Rory was already finished, considering she had no clothes or anything here to get changed into. Her old clothes sat in her hands folded up neatly, her phone resting on the top as she patiently waited for me.

I slipped my shoes on and grabbed my belongings from my desk. "Are you ready?" I then asked, despite knowing the answer.

She stood from the edge of the bed, nodding as she slipped her shoes on. I left my bedroom and shut the door behind us, letting her walk ahead of me. She walked quietly, her mind seeming to run with thoughts as we made our way from upstairs to the foyer.

Logan was sitting in the kitchen eating a sandwich, his eyes immediately landing on her as we came into view. He didn't say anything, although I could tell he wanted to. Rory didn't even spare him another glance, opening the front door with her free hand.

I followed after, doing the same and not giving Logan any attention. She obviously didn't want to talk to him, still upset after finding out he told Paige, which was the main person she didn't want to know.

We walked to the driveway, where my car sat since last night. I unlocked the door and we got in, the air silent between us as I turned the car on and rolled my window down.

She buckled up, and as soon as her buckle was latched I pulled out and began the drive to her house. I'd been there only one time that I remember, which was when my family went over to hers for dinner. Somehow I'd managed to remember the way there, despite my lack of knowing how to get places.

Well, I guess there was the time I drove her and Paige home from Logan's party, but it was extremely dark outside by the time I got there and I had to listen to Paige talk the entire way.

Usually, I need to either have someone direct me to where things are or always pull up my maps. I'm just horrible at directions, and even though I've lived here all my life I sometimes still struggle to go to certain places.

The drive was silent, so I turned some music on through my phone. It was a random radio, something to fill the silence in the car. Rory didn't seem to mind, though, as she just looked out of the passenger window in thought. She was probably reliving every little thing that happened yesterday, especially the part about the fight with her mom.

"I can stay the night tonight if you want," I offered, sparking conversation. I stole glances at her any chance I could, watching her eyes move from the window over to me. "Since our parents won't be back till later tomorrow. I can be gone by the time they get home and that way you won't be alone. I know we planned on watching a movie after the party already, so I might as well just stay so you won't be by yourself."

"You don't have to do that," She said after a few moments of silence, twirling the ring she always wore on her index finger. The skin underneath was pink, showing she did this gesture a lot. I always noticed it, but never noticed how irritated the skin got under it.

"I want to, as long as you're okay with it," I admitted, keeping my eyes on the road so I didn't look into hers. It was easy to get lost in her big blue eyes, and the last thing I needed was to crash the car because I was too focused on her eyes instead of getting her home safely.

"Okay," She finally said after another few moments of silence. "Yes. I'm okay with it."

"Okay, cool." I couldn't help but smile, "If you change your mind let me know, I don't want you to do anything you don't want to."

"Thank you," She softly said. She was back to her shy self, something I saw quite often. As much as I want her to open up completely around me, I know it's going to take time. I like her either way, whether she's open and sarcastic or shy and flustered. It actually made me quite happy to know how shy she got around me, even if I know it's not for me exactly. 

It wasn't long before I pulled up to the Holland residence. I pulled into the driveway to give her a closer walk to the door, and she unbuckled her seat as I put the car into park. She took a glance at me, seeming to be wanting to say something.

"Thank you for everything," She said again, something I've heard lots within the last 24 hours.

"Don't mention it," I told her. "Want me to come by and get you on the way to the party?"

"Sure," She said, beginning to get out. She suddenly stopped, turning back in my direction for a moment. "How am I going to know when you're on your way?"

"Here," I said, pulling my phone from the middle compartment. I went to my contacts, creating a new one. I then handed it to her and watched as she entered her phone number, saving it under 'Rory'. It made me smile, knowing she was finally used to the nickname I'd come up with the day I met her. "I'll text you when Logan and I will be heading that way," I told her as I put the phone back where it previously was.

She nodded again, her messy brown hair falling over her shoulder at the sudden movement. She then stood from her seat in the passenger's spot, shut the door, and made her way from my car to the front door. I watched as she walked inside, the door seemingly left unlocked for her. It was probably due to the fact she didn't have anything with her when she left, so her parents left it unlocked for her to get back in.

I stayed in my spot for a second, even though she'd already disappeared into the house. My mind ran with thoughts, the majority of them being about the girl herself. I hated this feeling, knowing exactly what it was. It was something I haven't felt in a really long time, something I told myself I wasn't going to ever deal with ever again due to the numerous bad experiences I've had in the past.

I was beginning to fall for Aurora Holland, and there was nothing I can do to stop it.

++

Struggled a little bit to get this chapter out, simply because I'm so used to being in Aurora's mind and not Carter's.

But we've had our first POV that's in someone else's and not Rory's! Thoughts?

Also, please comment! I love reading comments they make my day :)

* This chapter is not edited *